Page 38 of Darkness

“What?”

“Well, I wasn’t going to give them to you without getting the dirt first.” Katy walks around to the back and comes back with a big bouquet of roses. “I don’t care what kind of vibe he gives outto the world, what kind of darkness that man gives. He likes you and I have no other words.” I take the card from the side.

Enjoy your day.

My English Rose.

“I think it’s so cute that he calls you his English Rose. What does he call you?” I look up at Katy, confused.

“Autumn-Rose.” I really hope he just stops with the Autumn-Rose because I like him calling me his English Rose.

“Well, he needs to call you Rose.” I don’t say anything back to her as I stare at the note and smile at the flowers.

Beautiful red roses. No other color, just red. Beautiful.

Will he call me Rose? Do I want him to start calling me Rose? Oh, my God, the woman’s got into my head. She’s going to fill my head with all of these romantic ideas.

Damn, I hate her. Okay, I don’t hate her. I love her crazy romantic heart.

There are so many things going on in my head at the moment, but as much as it’s crazy and I love the roses. I keep staring at them.

Miles’ words play in my head again.Whatever or whoever you’re hiding from, tell him. He can’t protect you from what he doesn’t know.

Should I tell him?

***

Holding the flowers, I try to look over them at the bouncer. Again, the club is busy. The bouncer looks at me, and I smile. He’s different from the one who was here last time.

“I’m here to see Cain.” I put the flowers on the ground and look at him with a smile again because he looks too serious.

“We have some crazy woman asking for Cain again.” He talks into his mic, then whispers to himself. “Fourth one so far tonight.” He shakes his head.

Fourth one, why are women asking for him? Why has that made me jealous? Is he sleeping with other women?

“Hi, Mr. Upgrade,” I smile at Lincoln. Does this man not take a day off? He’s always here, I mean always. Cain was on the cell to him this morning, and it’s like eight in the evening and he’s still here.

“Whenever she comes, you call me, she’s not to wait,” Lincoln tells the bouncer, moves the rope for me, and I grab the flower move up to the rope. Lincoln takes them from me so I can see where I’m going.

“Is he here?” I ask as we stop by the bar, and he tells the woman behind it to look after my flowers.

“He is just a little… busy.” He turns to the woman again. I don’t see what he is doing because I watch the floor, which is full again. “Wine?” He hands the glass to me.

“Thank you.” I take the wine glass from him. “How long have you known Cain?” I ask. I mean, no one talks about Cain. Is it a sin to talk about him?

“Too long.” He looks up at Cain’s office, which is strange as you can’t see through the window. “She’s here… are you sure?” Lincoln talks, but doesn’t seem as if he’s talking talking to anyone. “Come on, just so you know what you are going to walk into is … you know what? If you want to be with Cain, you have to take him the way he is.” I follow Lincoln up the stairs, wondering what the hell he means by that.

Lincoln isn’t going to hide the true Cain from me then.

As Lincoln opens the door, I hesitate at the entrance, and my eyes immediately landed on Cain. His fists are connecting withsomeone’s face. Blood spattered onto the tiled floor as he pushes the man to the floor.

“Get the hell out of my club!” Cain yells, his face twisted in anger. Without hesitation, Lincoln signals for security to come up to the office. “If I ever see your sorry ass in here again,” Cain snarls at the man. “You won’t be walking out.” As security bursts through the door, I quickly step aside to let them pass. My heart is racing with adrenaline at the tense confrontation unfolding before me.

My heart pounds in my chest as I watch Cain wiping the blood from his hands. My mind races. What the hell is happening? Was Lincoln hiding this dark and dangerous side of him from me all along? And now, as twisted as it sounds, I can’t help but be drawn to it. This is so messed up. What the hell is happening to me?

“Who the hell was on security duty?” Cain demands of Lincoln, his voice laced with anger and suspicion. Without waiting for an answer, Lincoln is speaking into the mic.

Cain looks over at me, his eyes moving up and down my body, and they linger on my legs for a moment.

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