Page 31 of Darkness

“No, I think your dad is more worried because of what happened to you. I keep telling him, with you it was a one-time thing’ but you know him, he’s worried.”

“I don’t blame him. Talking abouthim, have you heard anything?” I ask. I hate that I have to waste my time talking abouthim, so we promised only once a month I would get an update on him.

“He came around asking for you, and we think he’s getting our post somehow. He still thinks you belong to him. Asshole.” I don’t reply to my mom. I was hoping he would just leave me alone. I guess, I’m not that lucky.

“Are you still knitting? How is the blanket coming along?” I just want to talk to my mom about anything that feels like a normal conversation.

“Almost finished, and I can’t wait to give it to you one day. How is the shop?” She’s been working on this blanket for months now, and said it’s for me to have in the winter as it gets cold here. I have no idea how she will get it to me, though.

“Busy, got three weddings coming up, and you would be surprised how many men cheat on their partners.” I laugh, because it is true, this week has been crazy with cheating men.

“So, men are pigs everywhere then.”

“Yes, they are. Same time next week, mom. I love you.” I choke on the words, because I have to wait a whole week to talk to her again. “Can dad be there next week?” I ask. He finds it hard to talk to me, but once in a while he will if I ask in advance.

“I will tell him. I love you.” I end the call with fifteen seconds left, and hand the cell to Jay to get rid of it for me.

“See you next week.” I smile and make my way back to the apartment, as I wipe the tears away. I hate the bastard who has taken me away from my family.

The walk back is always quicker because I just want to get into bed and cry myself to sleep. Buzzing into the building, I go up the stairs, getting my steps in for the day. As I reach my floor, I stop when I see him leaning against the wall, looking all sexy in his black joggers and black t-shirt showing off his tattoos.

Thirteen

Cain

My hands arein my pocket. I turn to face her as she’s staring at me. She doesn’t look pissed off, so that’s a good sign. She looks like she’s been crying. At this time of night there is only one place she’s been. Calling whoever it is she calls every week.

“What are you doing here, it’s a bit late, don’t you think?” she asks, walking up to the door.

Taking my hand out of my pocket, I look at the time, and glance up at her watching me. “It’s two in the morning. I could ask you the same thing?” I reply.

I watch as her eyes move from my watch to my knuckles. I’ve showered, got as much of The Pit off me, but cuts and bruises don’t fade so quickly. Placing my hands back into my pocket, I wait for her to open the door. “Where have you been?”

“For a walk.” She finally opens the door, and before she can close the door, I walk in behind her, but she stops me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” she snaps, and not quietly, either. Loud enough, if her neighbors cared, they would come out to see what was happening. But I’ve been standing here for a long time and three of her neighbors have walked past me andno one has asked me what I’m doing here at this stupid time in the morning.

“To talk.”

“Not happening, you think kicking me out like I mean nothing, and then come here and I’d be like, ‘Oh yes, Mr. Cain please come in’ “Ugh. No. Not happening.” Autumn-Rose tries to close the door, but I stop her and lean on the door frame, and stare at her for a moment.

“I fucked up. What I did was the worst thing a man could do. But I had reasons, and it had nothing to do with you.” I stop because she raises a brow at me, wanting to know more, but I’m not talking about Tess at the moment. “If you really want me to leave, which I know you don’t. You can lie, but your eyes tell me something else. But I will leave and come back tomorrow.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“A word many people call me.” I bring my hand to the side of her cheek and move her hair away so I can see her face better. Fuck, I want to know what’s upset her, so I can fix it. “Are you letting me in?” She presses her lips together, looking away from me.

She’s fighting with herself. Shaking her head, she steps to the side, and I place my hand on the side of her waist as I walk past into her apartment.

I hear her lock the door. Four locks, that’s a bit extreme, so turning around I have a look at the locks and the corner of my lips curls slightly. “What?” she asks me, not replying. I look around her apartment, even though I already know what it looks like here. My glance stops at the flowers. Well, at least she didn’t throw them away.

“If I wanted to, I could break into this apartment in less than five minutes, and the terrible security you have won’t do anything.” I watch her slowly moving to the coat stand in thecorner of her room as she hangs her coat. Fucking beautiful, top to bottom.

“No, you couldn’t.” I hear the panic in her voice, and she looks around to make sure I’ve not already been in here. I haven’t. I’m not a fucking creep. “What do you want? To make me feel cheap again?” Yes, she’s gone straight for the punch in the stomach, all to make me feel like shit about last night.

There is so much I could say. I could tell her everything, but I know no one is going to believe that shit. I could show her the scars, but I don’t want her to fear me. No matter what I say at this moment, she’s going to think I’m crazy.

Taking a step closer to her as she walks over to where I’m standing, she folds her arms over her chest. Wrong move is all I can think of, wearing a pretty cute dress, with a V cut which now gives me the perfect view of her chest, something I will be sucking on very soon.

She stares at me for a moment, her eyes moving from my eyes to my lips. For someone who’s supposed to be pissed off at me, she is also begging me to touch her.

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