Page 40 of In the Cover of Darkness

“Mila, it's me, open the door,” I yell. I can feel I'm on the cusp of falling apart and burning the world down if he's somehow taken her.

“Baby … please,” clawing at the door one final time before I ready myself to break it down.

“Dante? Attila, hush, you're being a dork. I can't hear anything with the way you two have been barking. Dante? Dante, is that you?”

In. Out.

In. Out.

Breathe.

I repeat this over and over in my head trying to calm myself.

She's okay. She's here. We're okay.

“Yeah, baby, it's me. Can you open up now?”

I hear the door lock disengage, and tentatively it opens. She looks a little dishevelled but otherwise still confused over how south our evening went.

Standing in the open door, she looks at me. The dogs remain faithfully by her side, Attila half in front of her, alert but relaxed.

“I want to know but, I also don't want to know,” she says, a concerned look passing over her face.

Catching my reflection in the ensuite mirror behind her I grimace. My face is covered in smeared black face paint, not bothering to make any camouflage patterns to save time. I just grabbed one colour and covered as much as felt right. My hair is wild, and my tactical gear is covered in different firearms, knives, ammunition and tools. She is probably scared shitless.

It's second nature to me what to do when getting ready for a mission, this time was no different, albeit, a rushed version of it. Protective gear, weapons and camo paint if required. Dragging my hand through my hair, I try to tame it a little. Not really knowing what to do now, but relieved in the knowledge that she's okay, I just take this moment to unapologetically stare at her. That is until Ace, who is turning into the biggest cock block ever, walks into the room and breaks the tension.

“Oh, um. Sorry. I can come back.”

“Not a chance, Ace. Spill. Why was I just locked in the bathroom for an hour with the dogs going crazy for most of it, and why the fuck are you two dressed like Rambo?” her voice was strong, but I can see her hands trembling.

Ace has at least managed to take most of his face paint off and no longer has any visible weapons on him, but it still doesn't explain what's happened.

Taking a deep breath Ace launches into what happened with the fence sensor, the blood, and the car taking off. Further explaining that he's contacted the sheriff with the details. The CCTV picked up the licence plate and there's footage of a person walking the perimeter of the house. Their face is covered but we can tell from the footage it's a man, similar to the one standing across the road from Beans. Having made my way into the ensuite while I listen to Ace talk, I attempt to take off as much face paint as I can but it's so waxy it's not as easy as it looks.

“Did you hear anything? Notice anything out of the ordinary?” I question Mila.

“Seeing as it's common for you to shove me in a bathroom with the dogs, I'd say it was just another night, Dante!” her panic starting to show.

“I'm going to take this off,” gesturing to my weapons and tactical gear, “and I'll run you a bath to try and relax a bit. We can talk when you're ready.”

I push Ace through the door and we return to the office, making sure to put everything back where I found it.

“The sheriff just messaged. The car was reported stolen and has been found abandoned behind the school.”

Slamming my fist on his desk I take a second to completely feel the anger running through me before locking it away and returning to Mila, the knowledge that he's getting too close weighing on me.

Chapter 32 - Mila

Night Moves - Bob Seger ?

I'm not in a funk, but I'm in a funk. I can't seem to shake off whatever this feeling is. One minute I'm happy and laughing, the next I'm desperately trying to find Dante so he can anchor me back to reality. I've decided to not return to work until we know Trevor is gone. Nova was understanding when I explained that I didn't want anything to happen to the stores, and even though she tried to argue that she had insurance, I'm still taking a step back for a little bit. I did however, promise to continue to help her get ready for the spring festival, which is how I now find myself looking at dresses online in Nova’s office, and not actually doing what we're meant to be doing.

“You don't own one dress, Mila. Summer is coming and you need to show off those child bearing hips so Dante finally makes a move and claims his woman.”

She thinks she is so funny mocking me, but I know that if I mentioned her and Ace she would make excuses and find anything else to do and avoid the topic completely. I may be in my own slow romance but hers is a whole other level.

Placing an order for a few dresses we head back to Dante who's patiently waiting in Beans.

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