Page 38 of My Saintly Demon

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“You should’ve warnedme you like to shop. You only need a few days of clothes, not a month.”

Charles’ words shouldn’t chaff, but they do.

“I could’ve come by myself, you know.”

I really don’t need the reminder about my days left here and we still haven’t spoken about the morning’s information bomb, either. Which we need to do because I’m ready to make a call no matter what my father said.

Charles shoves all the bags he was carrying at me, and while I juggle all the bags, he tucks the keys to his SUV into my suit coat pocket.

“You can get the bags into the vehicle and I’ll meet you there. I’m stopping at the drugstore to get something for your back. I won’t be long.”

When he notices the scowl on my face, he pats my cheek. “No need to frown. It means you’ll get naked for me while I rub you down. Win-win.”

Even now, it pulls a smile to my face, and I do as he asks while he ducks into the drugstore in the mall. It’s nearing the end of the day and the parking lot is much more empty than when we got here.

I locate the vehicle and jam all the bags into the backseat, shoving a few boxes of Charles’ things to the side. I’m grateful he has such a large car but we should have just unpacked these boxes before leaving. Tossing my jacket on the front seat, I pocket the keys and lean against the car while I wait.

Now is as good a time as any. Staring at my phone, I text my dad before I lose the nerve. When the phone vibrates with an incoming call from him immediately my heart drops. Looks like Dad won’t let me tiptoe around things.

“Hey, Dad. Thanks for calling.”

“Why are you texting before your time is up? I can’t help anymore than I have, Dave.”

“No, I know that but I, uh, am I able to talk to you in person or is that against rules?”

The pause is another long one, and I hold my breath. I can’t drag this out. I need to see him in person.

“I can make something work tomorrow if you’d like.”

“Yeah, that would be great. Should I meet you somewhere?”

“I’ll come to you.”

No goodbye or details, just the flash of a phone on the screen indicating the call ended and I rest a little easy knowing tomorrow I can talk about my mother and hopefully get answers. But also, I can talk about Charles. He can meet my dad.

The thought sends a little zing through me. My dad meeting the man I love.

Shit.

Do I love him? It could be indigestion, those tacos were spicy.

But the longer I wait for him and think about it, the more I think it’s not the tacos.

A sharp image of Charles scared flashes in my mind and I’m on high alert, searching the parking lot for him. Just like when I popped into his brain while he was pleasuring himself, this image is clear, but something’s wrong.

Stalking back towards the mall, I keep searching for him and will my heart to stop banging.

A second flash comes, and with a growl, I quicken my steps as I head to the loading dock to the right.

Nobody fucks around with what’smine.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

CHARLES

Gimme the wallet, the whole thing.”

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