Double Faced Twins

Chapter 18

Benson

We were finishing up with Detective Kidwell when he told Faith she could not stay in her home and asked her if she had somewhere to stay.

I immediately respond, "Yes, she will be staying with me. Thank you. If there's anything that we can do to help, please let us know." I hand him my card.

Faith looks up at me with surprise, and I lean over, kiss her cheek, and whisper in her ear, "I promise to hold you tight and be here for you no matter what. You mean the world to me-- girlfriend."

She smiles and blushes.

The detective says goodbye and leaves Faith and me standing there.

"What do you need?" I ask.

"I honestly don't know," she says as tears fill her beautiful dark eyes.

I pull her back into my chest and hold her for a few moments. "Come on, Babe. Let's get you home."

She nods into my chest, and we approach my car. I open up the door for her. Once she sits and gets settled, I close her door and go over to the driver's side. I look at this remarkable woman, and my heart breaks for her. I notice that she's still in her bikini and sundress. I get an idea. I pull away from her home, tainted by some monster who ripped Faith's sister away from her, and we head to the beach.

After a few moments of driving, she realizes we're not going to my apartment. "Where are we going?"

I take her hand into mine. "To Pacific Beach, where the crashing waves soothe your soul and drown out your thoughts."

She smiles weakly, and I would give anything to return the confident, vibrant Faith I saw just this morning.

I called Cindy to let her know I will not be in the office or available for anything unless it's an emergency. Before long, we get to the beach and park. I remove my jacket and tie, unbutton a few buttons, untuck my shirt, and roll up the sleeves. I pull off my dress shoes and socks. I toss everything in the back seat and exit my vehicle.

I walk over and open Faith's door. She looks up at me with tears flowing from her eyes. I reach down and take her hand into mine. "Walk with me, Faith?"

She nods, and I help her out of the car. We begin to walk silently down the beach, and true to my word, the waves crash loudly and rhythmically onto the shore. I don't speak; I want to be here for her and support her however I can.

After several minutes, she says, "Thank you." I can barely hear her over the sound of the ocean.

I release her hand and place my arm around her waist, pulling her close. "I meant every word that I've ever spoken to you. I'll be here for you, do anything for you, and protect you from anything or anyone."

She rests her head on my shoulder, "I don't deserve you."

I stop, pull her to the front of me, and look deep into her dark eyes, "Don't ever say that again. I'm the one who doesn't deserve you. You make me want to be a better man and feel things that no woman has ever made me feel. You deserve everything that I want to give you and more. Please don't ever forget that."

Her eyes go wide as she takes in my every word. I can't help myself; I take her face into my hands and kiss her sweet lips. A soft moan escapes her lips as she slightly opens her mouth. I slide my tongue against her silky tongue. Our kiss is slow and seductive as I try to show her how much she means to me. As our tongues slowly dance, my hands reach behind her head, and I tangle my hands through her soft, smooth hair. We stand there as the waves assault the shoreline, getting lost in each other.

Faith's phone rings, breaking our passionate embrace.

She grabs it from her pocket and answers it, out of breath from our kiss, "Hello?" Her voice is sexily raspy.

She clears her throat and places her phone on speaker.

I hear the detective speak, "Is there any way that you could meet me at your office?"

She looks up at me before responding, "Why?"

"If you don't mind, I don't want to discuss this over the phone," he answers.

"Um, okay, we're on our way," she replies.

"Is Mr. Easton still with you?" he inquires.

"I'm here." I join in on the conversation.

"Good, don't let Faith out of your sight."

Faith's eyes go wide, hearing the detective's words.

I don't get a good feeling. "I won't. We'll see you in thirty minutes."

We say our goodbyes as Faith and I head back to the car.

"What do you think he wants from me?" Faith asks.

I answer honestly, "I have no idea. How do you feel?"

"I'm anxious but mostly surprised because when something happens to Grace or me, we get what we call twin-tuition. It means that we feel each other's emotions, and I have no idea what she's feeling, and it scares me!" she admits.

"Really? Twin-tuition? Is that a thing?" I ask curiously.

"It was with us... but now, I don't know." She looks down at her hands.

I place my hand over hers, "Think good thoughts, Faith. Let her know that you are here and you will do everything to make sure that you'll find her."

She smiles up at me, and I wish I could keep her smiling through this nightmare that she's in the middle of right now.

The rest of the ride to her office is in silence. We're both deep into our thoughts. I hope that Faith is trying to give Grace good thoughts through their twin tuition. My thoughts are running wild with why Detective Kidwell has us meet him at the office and, more importantly, why he told me not to let Faith out of my sight. That right there has me deeply concerned. Why would he say that unless Faith was in some trouble or, worse, danger?

I glance over at her, and she looks out of the side window, totally lost in her thoughts.

I need to know where her head is. "Babe, talk to me. What are you thinking over there?"

She shrugs.

"Don't block me out, Faith. I want, no, I need to be here for you. The only way that can happen is if you talk to me. Share with me your fears, concerns, hell, whatever you're feeling," I plead with her.

She turns to face me, "I'm trying so damn hard to send her positive vibes, but it's impossible when I don't have a shred of positive thoughts myself to send to her."

The anguish on her face is enough to make me want to pull over and take her into my arms to give her some comfort, but I know that I can't. I must find out why the detective is so concerned.

Neither Faith nor I are ready for what was waiting for us at Double Faced Advertising.

*****