Lisa's head snapped to the door where Ethan's tall frame blocked the light from the living room. She tried to form words in her head, an excuse or some kind of response that wouldn't give away the trembling her whole body was experiencing at the moment. But nothing came, and Ethan stepped into the room.
"What are you doing in here?"
"I...uh," she sputtered out. The candles flickered in the corner of her vision. "I saw these candles lit, and was afraid one might accidentally fall over and catch something on fire."
Ethan stared at her through the dim light, apparently not believing her poor excuse. "That's not why you're in my bedroom, is it, Lisa?"
Lisa gulped then licked her bottom lip. He was slowly closing in on her.
"As if I'm blind not to see that you're standing in front of my dresser." His voice was steady and smooth, sending chills up Lisa's spine.
No, she wasn't going to play this game. As upset and betrayed she felt, anger was also rising inside her. This was not going to happen again. She narrowed her eyes. "Is this some sort of shrine?" she asked bluntly, pointing to the pictures on the wall.
Ethan chuckled to himself. "It's called an altar, Leese," he corrected her like she was a child. "I guess there's no point in hiding anymore since the cat is out the bag." She watched his every move, but Ethan didn't try to grab at her. He stood calmly before her, intimidating yet peaceful. "You're my hero, Lisa. I thought some high-ranking terrorist or FBI sharpshooter would take him out, but when I heard it was this petite woman who managed a hotel, I knew I had to meet you."
Lisa could not comprehend who Ethan spoke of. "Who are you-?"
"Maybe this hint will help." The flickering of the candles cast a shadow over Ethan's face, causing his features to darken evilly. "You know who I am speaking of. We both have a passionate rage against him. He has gotten in our way, more mine than yours, but still he's been an annoyance to both of us." His voice melded into steel. "Jackson Rippner."
A hand flew to Lisa's mouth. To hear the name come from Ethan's lips ripped her heart shreds. She hated Jackson for what he did to her, for appealing to her soft side then threatening her father and ultimately trying to kill her. Ethan knew this whole time. Three months of regular visits to the Lux. Over the two months of glorious dates. He knew.
"Rippner was always getting the best jobs, and he loved rubbing my face in it. I wanted him to fail. See him go down in flames and brimstone. I would have done it myself, eventually. But upon hearing of his failure to complete the Keefe job, getting badly beaten, and thrown in jail, I had to know who this daring person was that took the bastard out." Ethan paused, and Lisa's heart skipped a beat waiting for something to happen. She jumped when he continued, "Finding it to be this lovely young woman, I knew I had to have her. I had to touch the hand that stabbed the pen into his neck. I had to feel the body that sent Rippner to his downfall."
Ethan took another step forward, leaving only a couple feet in-between him and Lisa. "I want you, Lisa. All to myself. I'll worship you like the queen you are to me."
It was at that moment that Lisa realized he was reaching for her. She couldn't let him touch her. The rapidly flickering light of the candle bothered her eyes, not to mention the tears that were distorting her vision. There was no weapon in sight, only the fire, but that little flame wouldn't do much of anything to help. But the wax-
Lisa turned suddenly, swiping the closest candle and flinging the hot melted wax at Ethan's face. Ethan let out a deep roar, desperately trying to wipe the wax from his burning skin. Lisa shot out the bedroom door, and made a mad scramble for her purse and out the condo. Her high heels clapped loudly on the concrete as she glanced over her shoulder to see if he was pursuing her.
Lisa turned her head back only to slam violently into a solid frame. Strong hands caught her forearms, steadying her. She froze, staring up into the face of Jackson Rippner.
Thank you to everyone who's been reading this story! I love writing all these twist and turns.