Page 122 of Diem

My heart lurches and because once again I don’t know what to say, I grumble, “By like two minutes.”

He laughs and I inwardly sigh because when Diem isn’t acting like a cold bastard, he’s so very fucking beautiful. His passion lights his eyes.

When we pull up to a ramshackle hut in the middle of nowhere, I glance around with wide eyes. What am I going to see inside?

What does it mean for Diem? I can’t imagine what he must feel about his own father although I suppose it’s right up there with my confusion for my own.

But then I’m reminded of his actions over the last few weeks, and I harden my heart. Letting me behind the curtain means nothing after breaking me down, little by little.

“C’mon,” he says, and I reluctantly follow him from the car.

Weeds brush my legs, and I scratch at my skin as we approach the shack where a tall tree leans against it, forcing part of the roof in.

It’s quiet but for our trek and an occasional chirping bird. When Diem stops at the door, I study his granite expression with a pulse of worry. “Diem?”

With a grunt, he pushes the door open, and I step in behind him. At first, I can’t see much because black dots dance before my eyes.

Once my vision adjusts though, I glance around curiously.There’s a lone chair in the corner, beside a dark fireplace. Strangely, beyond a desk at the opposite end, there’s not another speck of furniture within.

The walls are covered in a thin film of dust and when I step closer, I cover my mouth to find pictures. Hundreds, maybe even a thousand images on every damn wall. The ones closest feature women who are clearly dead with their lifeless eyes staring into the camera.

“Oh my god,” I gag, forcing the bile back down my throat.

Diem shuffles behind me and I glance back before stepping to the next wall. It contains much the same and my stomach roils as I contemplate sheer evil.

I’m reminded of the picture I found in Frank’s trailer and I turn to Diem, pausing when he raises his dark eyes to mine. For a moment, he’s not here and I falter before touching his chest.

“Thank god he’s gone,” I rasp, and he shudders.

Wrapping my arms around him, I say into his chest, “I’m sorry.”

He doesn’t comment, picking me up and setting me on the desk in the corner. Titling my head back he searches my eyes before slamming his mouth to mine.

With my heart in my throat, I meet his ferocity and he groans, wrenching on my pants. I see the despair in his eyes and push them down my legs.

This isn’t about pleasure although I race to orgasm when he pumps brutally inside of me, but the need to feel when all around us lays a macabre montage of death.

Clutching his shoulders, I hang on for the ride and when he groans, grabbing my hips to sink deeper, I fall into the abyss.

“Diem,” I whisper, my heart pulsing when his eyes slam closed and a pained growl slips free.

He arches into me before collapsing, and stroking his hair, I hum under my breath until he pulls back with a furrowed brow.

This may have been a savage fuck, but it was beautiful at the same time.Unfortunately, Diem won’t meet my gaze when he backs away and buttons his jeans.

Hopping down, I pull my pants back up, wishing I could reach him.

For a moment, I saw the boy I remember in my dreams, and I ache to make his nightmare go away.

After we’re dressed, he brings me home, maintaining the awkward distance and although I’m still skeptical of his behavior I’m worried about his state of mind.

“Diem?” I ask as we pull up to my house.

“Have you spoken to Penny?” he asks. I shake my head, my heart pulsing when he rubs his face and says gruffly, “See you tomorrow.”

His demeanor does not inspire comment and hunching my shoulders, I exit before watching him drive away.

Although I wanted to discuss what Skull said about Kenny, I chose to wait because Diem was so wrapped up in his head, it would have been a waste to try and engage him.

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