Haunted

Chapter 1 – Fresh Start

Shane lazily opened one eye and then the other. She yawned and stretched her arms over her head. Turning around she saw Alex lying on her stomach with a hint of a smile on her face. Shane smiled. She couldnt believe they had already been together for four months. She spent so much time at Alex place, sometimes she felt like she was living there. And it felt good. For the first time she felt like she belonged. She felt happy and content.

Shane leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the back of Alex neck her hand on the small of her back. Her fingers traced the scars on Alex back. She felt a slight shiver every time she saw them. They were old, but looked so raw. According to Alex she had gotten them as a kid in a bike accident. At the time she had just nodded, but she knew there was not a bike in the world that would leave scars like that. But if Alex didnt want to talk about, then she sure as ***** wasnt going to push. Just like Alex would never push her to tell her things she wasnt ready to tell. Shane placed a kiss on the thickest scar. Then she got up and went off to the bathroom.

By the time Alex finally opened her eyes, she saw Shane sitting on the edge of the bed pulling on her shirt.

Hey dude. Shane turned around and smiled.

Hey. Alex pulled at the shirt yanking Shane back on the bed.

Whats up? Shane looked up into Alex face above her.

Work. Of course, she should have known. Ever since Marina had made Shane the manager of the Planet, Shane had been out the door by 6.30. She had taken her new responsibilities very seriously. And both Alex and Marina had had to admit that Shane was doing a remarkable job. Theyd decided to hire an accountant to do the books, because after explaining how it worked the hundredth and second time to Shane, theyd finally given up. But everything else Shane did with flair. She knew how to schmooze the customers. How much stock they needed. How to treat the staff. In short she knew how to run a business. Days and nights had never been more busy.

And you have to go see Marina, remember? Alex sighed. She still couldnt believe how shed been conned by the exotic beauty to help set up her LA office. The last thing she needed was to be able to be actively linked to an international crime boss, but considering it was she and Shane who had talked Marina into taking the job, it seemed only fair they helped her set up. Shane didnt seem too bothered by it. According to her it didnt really matter what someone did for a living. If they were good, they were good. And as far as she was concerned Marina was good. Alex chuckled. A good conscientious compassionate international crime lord. Marina sure was one of a kind.

But we still have a few minutes Shane laughed when she saw Alex mock pout. She loved it when Alex tried to manipulate her. Besides teasing Alice that was becoming Alex favorite sport mainly because most of the time Shane was immune to it. But this morning Shane was willing to be manipulated. She got up on one elbow and kissed Alex on the lips soft at first. Her other hand moved behind Alex neck as the kiss heated up. Alex felt Shanes tongue briefly tease her lips before she opened them. Alex sighed into the kiss and the sheet covering her dropped away just as Shane pulled back. The sight of Alex took her breath away and all thoughts of going to work evaporated completely as she took possession of Alex mouth again.

Shane pushed herself up and pushed Alex onto her back on the bed. With her finger she traced Alex face placing kisses where her finger had lingered only moments before. Her eyes. Her cheeks. Her chin. Her neck. Shane moved down slowly. Alex moaned when she felt Shanes tongue flick over her nipple. She couldnt believe how after all this time Shane could still drive her insane with just a touch. Usually Alex never even bother to call for seconds, but she just couldnt get enough of Shane.

Alex wrapped her hands in Shanes hair and pulled her face close to hers. She kissed her passionately slipping her tongue into Shanes mouth.

***** me, Shane! Shane just smiled.

****

It was after ten when Shane finally walked through the door of the Planet. She looked around and immediately saw Alice and Tina at their regular table. They waved and she smiled back before walking behind the counter to get her daily dose of caffeine. Waiting for the machine to spit out her triple espresso, she smiled still remembering the scent, taste and touch of Alex. Shaking off the thoughts she picked up her espresso and walked towards Alice and Tina.

Hey.

Hey, Shane. So have you found a replacement yet for Saturday night? Shane shook her head. As much as she enjoyed running the Planet, sometimes she also got thoroughly pissed off. Like the day before when the band she had booked for Saturday night had cancelled. She now had exactly three days to find a replacement. And they better be good, because she wouldnt have time to print up new flyers, so she needed a really good band or the crowd would not be pleased.

Im still looking, Al. Its not like bands are all over the place. As an afterthought she added, Well not the good ones anyway.

Maybe you should ask Alex, Tina offered.

Alex?

Yeah, doesnt she like know everyone? Alice chimed in picking up the magazine in front of her and flicking to one of the articles. She placed the open magazine in front of Shane. There was a two page spread on the latest art exhibit by up and coming photographer Karen Richmond. In the center of the page was a photograph of Karen and Alex hugging. Shane shrugged.

Knowing a photographer and knowing a band isnt exactly the same thing, Al.

Oh god, I havent seen Karen in ages, Nicky said picking up the magazine as she sat down.

Hello ladies. She looks great. I wish Alex had told me Karen was in town, but then I hardly see her nowadays. Nicky shot Shane a reprimanding look followed by a grin.

You know Karen Richmond too? Alice asked her curiosity instantly peaked. She couldnt believe the amount of important people the three of them knew. She hated to admit it, but Nicky, Alex and Steve were really connected.

Yeah, we went to college together. I think she and Alex even dated for a while. Nicky shrugged. After a while you lose track. She snapped her mouth shut when she realized what shed said. She looked at Shane apologetically.

Im sorry, I didnt mean

No, youre right dude. You do lose track. And she smiled getting up to get back to work. Both she and Alex had lived it up and now they were living it up with each other. This wasnt the first and certainly not the last time someone from their past would show up. Shane had no intention of getting jealous of every ex Alex had ever had.

I need to go find myself a band. Turning to Nicky she jokingly added, You wouldnt happen to know one? Nickys face broke into a big smile.

Well, actually

****

Marina and Alex had been pouring through personnel records for the last two hours and they were both getting a bit knackered. Alex looked up to see Marina focusing on the latest manila folder she had picked up.

So how are things with you and Angel? Marina looked up from her file. She leaned back in her chair and let out a sigh.

Theyre going. Of course Marina wouldnt give her a straight answer. Sometimes she was just as bad as her sister. Alex sighed.

How absolutely vague Marina smiled. She knew Alex was concerned about them. Angela hadnt taken it too well when Marina had decided to take the position her father had left her. To her running a criminal corporation made Marina a criminal. And Marina had to admit that technically Angela was right. Shed already uncovered many activities she wanted to have banned. Some of them would be made redundant. The others, however, she would have to leave in place and monitor more closely. The only other option was to shut the company down completely, because criminal operations were the backbone of the Ferrer Corporation.

Were still in negotiations. This made Alex smile. She could see it now. The business woman and the lawyer gathered around the boardroom table. Although she could think of better things to do with a boardroom table than negotiate. That thought made her break into laughter and Marina looked at Alex curiously.

Sorry private joke.

Involving a certain shaggy haired rock star look-a-like? Marina smiled. She found herself doing that a lot these days. Perhaps it was an indication that she was indeed happier now. Or perhaps it was the influence of her friends.

Shes been doing a very good job at the Planet, nest-ce pas? Alex nodded.

But shes in a bit of a jam right now. The band she had booked for Saturday cancelled, so shes looking for a replacement. Alex was about to steer the conversation back to Marina and Angela, when her phone rang.

Sorry Yeah. Oh hey. She listened to the voice on the other end of the line. Suddenly she started laughing.

Youre kidding right?! Oh come on, Nick, we havent played in ages. For all you know we really suck. She rolled her eyes at Marina.

Thats blackmail. Alex voice rose a little. Fine, Alex finally conceded and hung up. Turning to Marina, she sighed.

Looks like she found a band. A really crappy one, but a band nonetheless. Marina looked at Alex in surprise.

You play? Alex nodded.

We used to in college. But after that we all went our separate ways. We still occasionally play in clubs, but not nearly as often as we used to. Mainly because its hard to get all of us in the same city at the same time.

And now youll play again. Alex smirked. She was not looking forward to this. She loved playing, but the truth was theyd stopped playing, because it had stopped being fun. But it looked like she was outnumbered this time.

****

The woman in the dark green BMW watched Alex emerge from the Ferrer LA headquarters. She compared her to the picture she had on the passenger seat. It was definitely the same girl. She looked healthy and happy and the woman felt relief. Shed been debating with herself whether or not she would try and find her. In the end she had had no choice. But after finding her address shed been afraid to actually see her even if it was from afar. Shed been worried for what shed find. But that morning she had driven to her house and had found it was in one of the better neighborhoods of LA. It looked like the girl had done well for herself. But then again thats what the information in the file had suggested.

The girl was a doctor. She was currently unemployed having resigned from County Hospital after some run in. She didnt have all the details on that. At the moment it seemed the girl was doing fairly little. She also had some information on her two roommates and her other friends. She had seen the girl emerge from her house that morning with another young woman. Shed been a little surprised when she had seen the two kiss, but then again this was LA.

She still didnt quite know why she had followed her that morning. Perhaps to find out more about her. She suspected though that it was to avoid the inevitable. She was avoiding the first meeting. Sooner or later she would have to walk up to the girl and introduce herself.