Page 111 of The Eleventh Hour

Dane and Rafe argue with me for well over an hour about going to the Shard, but I know Louis and his need for people to see, which means the body will show up tonight. But everyone will be there: Sparrow, Descario and Wayland, Titan, all the people. It’s going to be a shit show, and eyes will be on me while I try to find him.

I groan as I look at myself in the mirror. Big black rings have stained the skin under my eyes. I look like I haven’t slept in weeks. Even with my hair smoothed back and makeup on, I still look exhausted. I pick up my leather jacket and sling it over one shoulder.

My stomach flutters. If we pull this off, it could be over tonight. If I’m fast enough, smart enough, if I can work it out, then I might finally have him. Louis.

The temptation, the agony of having the finish line in sight makes my heart race. I imagine what my life without him would look like, and I smile because it’s terrifying. Louis has been in my life for so long I’m not sure I know how to be without him, but I’m going to try to enjoy it.

There’s a tentative knock at the door, and I open it to find Rafe. When he looks at me, his face lightens and softens. My heart clenches. He looks at me like I’m important, like I’m worthy. Damn it.

I reach out to him and, putting my hand on his neck, pull myself up so I can press my lips against his. His mouth moves against mine, lips teasing, caressing. Rafe is everything that is good in this world.

I pull away from him and stare. “Promise me, no matter what happens, you won’t go after him alone?”

Rafe stares at me, serious. “I promise.”

I shudder and nod, pulling away from him, only to see Dane beyond him, there’s an almost wounded, hurt look on his face, and I remember again that I need to speak to Dane, I need to clear the air with him, but it never seems the right time. I need to tell him how I feel before anything else happens.

I open my mouth, but he beats me to it.

“We need to get going.”

Disappointment crushes me. I put my hand in Rafe’s, taking some comfort in the fact his warm, large fingers wrap around mine. Ever since I told them what happened, they’ve been good, amazing. They’ve been careful with me, kind, but they watch me, both of them, like they think I’m about to break.

I wonder for a moment if I am.

Foreboding fills me. For an instant, I want to pull back, demand we stay here. Cuddle up on the couch and watch movies.

That is chased by an irrational urge to rip my hand free of Rafe and run until I find a closet and hide in there until enormous arms surround me. I miss Gideon. With Rafe and Dane and this investigation taking up so much of my time, I feel like I’m losing him.

I don’t pull my hand free. I follow Rafe and Dane out to the car and slide into the back seat. My eyes immediately go to the night sky. I wish I could see the stars tonight. It would make me feel better if there was some light.

The drive is short, and when I get out of the car, my eyes find the spot where Titan tried to…my mind skitters away from that memory. Poison rises inside with the memory, making me shake, but then Dane is there, giving me a side glance and nudging me out of the way.

“Stay close to us and don’t draw attention. Just watch. When you see him, you’ll know,” Dane whispers. “He can’t hide from you.”

I want to agree with that, but I’m not sure it’s right. Would I recognise Louis? I didn’t before. I have an entire childhood’s worth of memories that would argue with that statement. Louis is a chameleon. He charms, blends, and vanishes at will.

I reach out and grip Dane’s arm. “Wait.”

He turns to me with his eyebrow raised. “What is it?” The impatience in his tone almost stops me.

“I love you. I love that you treat me like I’m not broken. I love that you are you and how protective and caring of your family you are. Dane-”

He cuts me off with a hard kiss. “Enough. Nothing is going to happen. This is not goodbye, you save your I love you’s for when this is over. You won’t lose me,” he growls fiercely, “and I’m…I’m not fucking losing you. Not now I’ve found you.” Dane kisses me again, this time harder, hard enough that I taste blood.

He pulls free of me and starts marching us towards the corner of the building. As we get closer, I hear loud music pounding out of the nightclub, and again, that niggling doubt worries through me. To see it all over. To finally identify who has been tormenting me for years. That is the ultimate goal. So why am I so scared?

Astaire sees us and lets us cut the line. He looks Dane up and down and gives me a tight smile.

“Seen some interesting people visiting tonight?” he says to me.

My gaze sharpens. “Oh?”

“Harmon siblings and their stooge.” I wince at Astaire’s description of Mason, and then the full horror of his statement sinks in.

“All three of them?”

“Yeah. River, too. He’s drinking heavier than usual tonight. Said something about growing the fuck up and one last night of freedom. Matter of fact, he’s been here a lot the last few weeks. He’s been Titan’s special guest for a couple days. Always leaves when they dump him legless in a taxi.”

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