Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [73]
He was standing in a forest under the bright blue sky, yet all around him a fire blazed out of control. The smell of smoke was scorching his nostrils, the heat from the flames was parching the bottom of his feet. His body ached with the tiredness he felt but somehow he forced himself to move on. He had taken a few steps and realized he couldn’t move another inch. He didn’t have the strength to do so. Then from a distance he heard Netherland call his name, and he tried to gather all his strength to continue, to move forward, away from the fire, toward the sound of her voice, but it was too late. Flames surrounded him. He was trapped.
Ashton jumped and sat straight up in bed. His body was covered in sweat, and his heart was beating three times its normal rate. He took a deep breath. For the first time he had broken away from his vision before he determined the outcome. Had he made it out of the fiery hell he’d been trapped in? Had he made it back to Netherland?
He wiped a shaky hand across his face wondering what this particular vision had meant. He glanced over at Netherland. She was still sleeping soundly, peacefully. Needing to hold her, he lay back down and gently pulled her into his arms and held her cradled against his chest.
The sleep that overtook him a few minutes later was not a peaceful one.
Clayton Madaris slid the manila folder, thick with documents, across the table to his wife. “This is the last one we need to discuss tonight. We have a hearing in the judge’s chamber Friday morning. What did you think after reviewing it?”
Syneda leaned back in her chair and met her husband’s inquiring gaze. “That we don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. Harold Kingston is as guilty of embezzlement as Nixon was of Watergate. I suggest we convince him to plead guilty and go for a lesser sentence.”
Clayton smiled. “I disagree. I suggest he plead not guilty and take his chances.”
Syneda lifted a brow. “Why?”
“I enjoy a good fight with the prosecution every now and then.”
Syneda shrugged as she rose to her feet. “Suit yourself. Since it seems that we aren’t going to agree on anything tonight, I suggest we call it a day.”
Clayton shook his head, grinning. “On that I do agree.”
A few moments later they were walking out of the office building where their law practice was located. Since Clayton had made plans to drop by the barbershop after work, they had driven separate cars. “I’ll see you at home in a couple of hours?” Syneda asked, turning to her husband.
“Maybe less if Mr. P’s isn’t crowded.” Clayton leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips. “Think your tummy can handle Chinese food tonight?” Since her pregnancy certain foods didn’t agree with her stomach.
“I prefer barbecue.”
Clayton smiled. “Then barbecue it is.”
“The thin end.”
Clayton shook his head, grinning. “All right, sweetheart. Drive carefully.”
He watched as Syneda began crossing the parking garage to her car. He heard the revving of a car’s engine the same time Syneda did and saw the vehicle aiming straight toward her.
“Syneda! Look out!”
Reacting on instinct to protect both the woman and the unborn child he loved, Clayton moved with lightning speed toward Syneda, who seemed to have frozen in place, like a deer caught in headlights. In desperation Clayton pounced upward like a panther and jumped toward her, pushing her out of the way just seconds before the car collided with his body, knocking him backward.
“Good night, Rainey.”
“Good night, Jada. Are you sure you don’t need a ride home?”
“Yes. I’m sure. I called a cab earlier. I’ll just wait for it out front.”
Jada walked out of Sisters thinking it was such a pretty night. Rome had left for California earlier that day, and she missed him already. She smiled and stepped aside when a couple entered Sisters holding hands with the look of love sparkling in their eyes. She checked her watch once more. She had called for the cab ten minutes ago. Usually it didn’t take this long for one to come.
She had turned to go back inside to call for another cab when she