Chasing Fireflies Read online

  Chasing Fireflies

  Copyright © 2022 by K.C. Poitras

  All rights reserved, printed in the United States of America. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner

  whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction.

  Names, characters and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to characters, places or incidents is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chasing Fireflies

  The Beginning

  Trouble in Paradise

  Deal Gone Bad

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Acknowledgments:

  Other novels by K.C. Poitras

  Follow K.C. Poitras

  To My Readers

  Thank you for supporting me in purchasing my book. I hope you will be pleased with it and that my writing brings you as much joy reading it as it does me while writing it. I am honored, you’ve picked up a book of mine and always will be. Please, if you like this book, recommend it, pass it on and review it.

  Thank you,

  K.C. Poitras

  Dedication

  To my children,

  Although, we’re not next door from each other, we are here on earth. There’s not a day that passes that I don’t think about all of you. You’ve inspired me, made me so proud and allowed me to live outside of the box. I love you to the stars and back and am in aww every time I think about what great individuals’ you guys are. I know at the end of the day; I’ll always see your smiling faces no matter where I’m at physically or spiritually.

  Love mom.

  Prologue

  The Beginning

  Mariana snorted as the white powder entered her nose burning so bad her eyes watered. She hated when it was cut so much that it burned her eyes and nose. The force immediately rushed through her, followed by a false sense of relief. Ahh, damn that’s good. She thought as she left the bathroom stall and washed her hands, then checked her nose, ensuring no trace of cocaine was left behind. Feeling better, she retracted her steps to the bakery where she grabbed a flour free torte, she had seen ten minutes earlier.

  Once in the town car, she leaned her head back and enjoyed the headrush as blood rushed through her veins. Twenty minutes later, in her bathroom, she snorted what was left. Feeling anxious, she decided to take a Xanax, her world was racing out of control. She turned the tv on and made a drink, then set down to wait for the inevitable. She knew Devin and the twins would be home soon.

  THE OUTDOOR CAFÉ WAS packed with vacationers while, Devin and Lewy were living the life. The sun shined bright with a warm breeze. Their table, a small one that faced the ocean, the view spectacular. The water a clear aqua, with a light wave, sparkled from the sun’s rays. Busy cars littered the streets along with bikers, peddling their way to and from the beach access point. Devin, a well-established businessman in the drug world, leaned back as he took a sip of his high ball. Business was doing more than well, and Devin hadn’t felt this calm in a long time.

  “Let me take the girls for the night.” Lewy insisted. “It’ll give you and Mariana a break, man. Take her to dinner, dancing. Besides you know how much I love those two girls.”

  “Okay, okay. When you are you getting married and having your own?” Devin teased while they ate lunch.

  “You know you got the best. There’s nothing left out there for me.” Lewy grabbed his heart as if it hurt. Devin glanced from the sandwich he ate; deep in thought when Lewy interrupted.

  “That I would have to agree with, my man.” They finished their lunch and headed for the house. They found Mariana and the twins playing in the yard.

  “Hi guys,” Mariana said as she stood up and gave Devin a kiss.

  “Hi babe, Lewy wants to take the girls and Katrina tonight. I think he has the hots for her, if you ask me.” He winked.

  Mariana leaned over and gave Lewy a kiss, looking over at Devin. “And I thought he was waiting for me.” The three of them laughed as Katrina gathered overnight bags for her and the girls.

  LATER THAT EVENING...

  “Babe, you ready?” Devin called out.

  “Be right there.”

  Mariana took one last glance at her hair and headed down the hall to where Devin waited. Her curly brown hair hung past her shoulders. She added a touch of mascara as a final touch up. Satisfied, she turned on her heels as her sandals clicked against the tile floor as she entered the kitchen. She brushed the front of her skirt with the palm of her hands and went to look for him. They married five years ago and lived in the fast lane until the twins had come along.

  “Let’s go.” She swung around, grabbing his hand and heading to the car that waited for them. Twenty minutes later they were beach side at a tiki hut. The sun was setting, the sky showered in different shades of orange.

  “I’m going with the fish tacos. What are you getting?”

  Devin set the menu down and looked up at his wife. He mentally noted to pencil in a meeting with Ajay, a new dealer in the area that was entering his territory. Devin had to put a stop to it, no one was going to take over his deals, he thought as he ran his fingers through his hair.

  Devin looked off into the setting sun, he closed his eyes for a moment as a warm gentle breeze blew past. He could hear people laughing and enjoying the unseasonably comfortable evening. The weather had been so hot, he welcomed the mid 70 temperatures. They ordered their food and sipped on their drinks as they waited on dinner.

  “I’ll be right back.” Mariana stood and headed for the restroom. When she returned their food was on the table and by the glazed look in her eyes, Devin knew immediately, she’d been in the restroom doing drugs. He cleared his throat after watching her pick at her food.

  “Babe, you promised you would lay off for a while.”

  It pained him to know she was using, he had offered any facility she wanted to go to, money was not an object. Devin wanted her to get help, to get better, and be there for him and the twins. He scolded himself for not being more persistent. She had promised to leave the stuff alone after the twins were born. He thought she would, he knew she had stopped for fifteen months during the time she was pregnant and a while after they were born. It didn’t take long, if he recalled the girls were only two months old when he caught her using for the first time again.

  “Oh please, we’re out and having fun,” Mariana said a little too loud. She rolled her eyes at him and moved her shoulders to the beat of the music. Devin looked away, letting it slide and tried to enjoy the evening. They ate, laughed and talked, well Mariana talked. She was high and becoming annoying to other guests as they started to leave. Her voice loud and her appearance sloppy.

  The shirt she wore was twisted, revealing the top of her breast, dangerously close to showing the world her nipple. Irritated, Devin held her elbow and escorted her to the car. If
there was one thing, he couldn’t stand it was a person out of control. No sooner than the driver pulled away, she was asleep. Devin put his arm around her as he laid his head back and closed his eyes. He knew it was time to get his wife some help.

  Trouble in Paradise

  A few days later...

  Mariana sat on the lanai watching the sunset over the water. Her hair in a thick French braid with wispy pieces dancing around her face like chocolate swirls in the setting sun. She wore a multi-colored knit cover up. Her skin a deep brown from the sun, her eyes a vibrant blue. She could hear Lewy’s footsteps over the waves as he approached the chair next to her.

  “Where’s Devin?” Lewy’s smile made his eyes sparkle.

  “He stayed in Fort Myers, said he would send word to you,” He sat down beside her; he could tell by her fidgeting she needed a fix. Without a word he handed her a bag of white powder. She took the bag, dipped her manicured pinky into it and held her nail to her nose and sniffed. After a moment and a deep breath, she felt alive once again.

  “What brings you by? Not that I’m complaining.” She said as she held up the bag and dangled it.

  “I thought you could use some company.”

  “Yea, it’s a beautiful night,” she took another bump, “the girls are with Katrina.”

  “I figured, any plans?”

  Lewy leaned back to rest his head. It had been a long day and he was zooming with all the coke he had done. The deal he and Devin turned, went smooth for a change and he was happy, just to be with Mariana. The breeze picked up as the sun disappeared for the night. Lights around the pool area lite up like magic. It looked as if there were thousands of fireflies dancing around the trees.

  “Let’s walk?”

  She stood, held out her hand to Lewy who took it and stood up by her side. They walked around the property hand in hand. Lewy pointed to the guard’s shack, then waved at the men.

  “Are you happy Mariana?” He stopped walking and took both her hands.

  “I am Lewy. You know I am. I love Devin.”

  She smiled at the way Devin’s name sounded, she would never get tired of hearing it. They started walking again as they chatted, the ground crinkling under their feet from the drought they were having.

  “He’s one hell of a lucky man.”

  “I’m the lucky one,” she kissed Lewy on the cheek. Lewy, wanting more, took her in his arms. He rubbed the small of her back as his lips met hers. The kiss was brief, yet powerful.

  She pulled away from him, breathless and immediately regretful. “Lewy, we can’t do this.” She turned to leave but he grabbed her arm.

  “Let’s have a bump. The kiss meant nothing, you know, just a friendly kiss between friends.” He stumbled back, trying to retract his actions. He knew if Devin ever got wind of this, he was a dead man. She was so fucking hot, he wanted her there was no doubt about it. Fuckin’ Devin, what the hell does he have that I don’t. Lewy’s thoughts raced as he pulled the coke from his jeans pocket.

  Mariana took a breath and a large bump of coke, “I’m thinking about taking the twins to the beach tomorrow. Would you want to come? It’ll be fun, we can rent a boat.”

  Lewy could tell she was high, her rambling continued as they walked back up to the lanai. “Sure, let’s see how it goes. Devin will be back early.” They sat and talked while finishing an eight ball and a case of beer. It was nearly dawn before Lewy left to go home.

  She went to her room feeling on edge, wishing she would have saved a little coke. She hated when it was all gone, the anxiety was too much, longing for the next line. She didn’t bother brushing her teeth or changing clothes. Without a worry she downed a Sudafed and a Xanax and dropped into bed on top of the covers.

  DEVIN WALKED AROUND the lanai, looking at beer cans stacked everywhere, littering the area. He ran his fingers through his hair and accepted the fact that Mariana had once again went on a binge. Picking up the cans, he threw them out as his phone dinged. He glanced at the alert, noting to thank Katrina for watching the twins.

  “Mariana, honey,” he shook her until she finally started to wake.

  “God, I feel like shit.” she noticed her nasal cavity was completely blocked. After reaching for water and a pill of sorts on the nightstand she looked at Devin. “Plans today?

  Devin laughed as he opened the curtains to let the light in. He stood beside the bed looking at his wife. Playing several scenario’s in his head as how to reach her and get her help before it was too late.

  “I think I’ll take the girls to the park. Give Katrina a break, you want to come?”

  “Yuck, I’ll pass. It’s too hot and bright.” She rolled over to cover her head.

  “Come on, you need to shower, fix yourself up. Eat something Mariana. You know I’m not a fan of your partying,” he scolded her.

  “Fuck off. Come here.” She said as she rolled over onto her back. Her breasts perked up as she tore her shirt off. She laid there naked, rubbing herself. Damn, she knew how to get to me, he thought as he walked over to the edge of the bed, where she laid, enjoying herself.

  He sat down beside her, and leaned over kissing her forehead, “te amo mi dulce chico,” he whispered in her hair.

  “I love you too, my handsome el hombre.”

  Devin stood and held out his hand, “come, I’ll start the shower and some lunch. You’re too thin.” She pouted as she teased him, playing with herself. He cleared his throat a few times as he watched and grew excited. He knew he should walk away and not give into her, but she was sexy and hot. Knowing she was ready for him, he undressed and climbed on top of her. In a matter of minutes, he exploded as she bit him on the neck.

  “That’s it my beautiful husband,” was all she was able to say when he grabbed hold of her and rolled onto his back. He placed her on top of him and let her reach her own pleasure as he did again as well. Once they caught their breath, he escorted her to the shower and went to make them sandwiches.

  As they ate, they talked a bit about the day’s plans. He asked that she clean up the lanai before the twins returned.

  She laughed, “What do you think we have a maid for love?”

  Devin shook his head and thought, touché. He let her know him and the twins would be back by dinner time.

  “I asked Katrina to do some grocery shopping. She should be by around three.”

  Deal Gone Bad

  Wiping the sweat from his brows Lewy turned and walked back to his car. As he drove away the name on her tombstone faded from the rear-view mirror. Lost in thought, in no time he found his way back to Devin’s. He let himself in and went to the office they shared.

  Devin glanced at him sideways, his sunglasses dangling in his hand. “You look like shit. You ready?”

  Lewy sat his briefcase down and went over to the bar. He drank down two shots and poured more. “Want one?”

  “I’m good. Are we in position for this meeting?”

  Lewy turned to stare at Devin, “of course. Why do you ask?”

  “Bro, again, you look like shit, and you’re sucking down that bourbon like it’s water.” He needed Lewy to be alert and, on his game, though he could see Lewy wasn’t feeling it. He was tired of the small operations and wanted to go for broke. He had tried for several weeks now to get Devin on board, but he wasn’t having any of it. Lewy cleared his throat, “Let’s go.”

  The two men walked to the town car waiting on them our front. Devin was reading something on his phone while Lewy sat back for the forty-minute drive to Fort Myers. On his third drink, he was finally feeling a bit better. Though he’d known all along he shouldn’t have gone to the cemetery. He has been doing so every Tuesday since Mariana’s death.

  He couldn’t help the feelings he had once cared for her. He knew it was one sided and her love was devoted to Devin, well Devin and cocaine. Lewy threw back his drink and put the glass in the doors cup holder. Shortly after he laid his head back, he felt the car come to a complete stop. They were at the place they had a
rranged to meet up with Jax.

  “You got the goods?” Jax’s said as he stood there in the dark alley. Five of his guys surrounded him with mac tens leaned up against their chest. Jax’s had a nine-millimeter in his hand at his side. Lewy sat the brief case down at his feet and looked at Devin.

  “This all there is?” Jax dark eyes searched the case.

  “This guy for real? It’s what you asked for,” with squared shoulders, Lewy looked tough.

  Jax gooneys grabbed the case and backed up. After checking its contents, tasting the goods, a single nod came from who Devin assumed was Jax number one man. Lewy exchanged a glance with Devin.

  “We good?” Devin asked with a calmness Lewy wish he felt. The hair on Lewy’s arms and back of his neck stood up. Fuck I should have stopped at two drinks. Something isn’t right, what am I missing. About that time Lewy saw something move out of the corner of his eye.

  “What the fuck is going on?”

  Devin looked from Lewy to Jax, “We good?” He asked again then heard a gun cock. His eyes darted; when gunshots rang his ears. He grabbed Lewy and ducked behind their town car while his guys opened fire.

  “Get in the car,” Lewy yelled and jumped in. The driver sped off, spitting sand out behind them, all they could see was a cloud. Devin’s breathing was labored.

  “What the fuck just happened?” He barked orders to the driver who relayed the change of plans to the two cars following them.

  “No clue man,” Lewy responded as he lookups out the window.

  “Okay, let’s lose these guys and get the hell out of here. Lewy, chill.”

  After several minutes Devin instructed the driver to make a left and circle back. Once they pulled up at the location they’d just left, Devin could see Jax pacing. He hopped out of the rolling car and demanded answers as he held his own nine-millimeter to Jax head.

  “Where’s the money?”