Page 50 of Embracing My Nightmare
Is this what happens when you finally embrace your nightmare?
Chapter 16
Devlin
The DeathHounds werepatrolling the Flats of Portstill as Chuck and I surveyed the area with binoculars. I stood on the top of the hill, the charred remains of the mill behind me a perfect backdrop to the destruction I wanted to rein down on Cameron. Feeling that she was close, I turned to Chuck.
“Was this part of your old stomping grounds? I know a little about your time from the streets, but not enough.”
“We kept to the industrial park and the tourist areas, mostly. My crew was good at pickpocketing, so we did okay. We knew to avoid the Flats and anything to do with Marco. His reputation bothered me and the shady shit he was into would have brought trouble to us. What about you?”
“I went to work for Marco when I was nine,” I remarked and turned back, looking at the Flats with bare eyes. “On my last day as his whipping boy, I sunk a knife into his neck and assumed leadership. His crew was a loose band of kids who were terrified, and I was able to get them under control. For five years, this was my kingdom. The day I knew she was meant to be mine, I went legit.” Glancing at him, he nodded and turned to look out onto the surrounding area. “If something happens to her, I’m going to burn it all to the ground.”
He exhaled deeply and looked back at me. “I know there’s more to the story between you two than you’ve told her, and you need to think about what’s best for Elise.”
“I’m what’s best for Elise. I always have been.” His attitude was pissing me off and the rising sun was blazing brightly in the early day.
Walking to the SUV, I grabbed us each a bottle of water and dialed James.
“Update.”
“No news but I have a thought. What about the house?” he asked.
“What house?”
“Steve’shouse from all those years ago. It’s right on the edge of the search area and I know most of it fell in from the hurricane last year. It’s on the city’s list of properties to be demolished, but it’s a possibility.”
“We’ll check it out. Keep working.” I disconnected and looked at Chuck.
“It’s time I tell you a story. Get in the car.”
On the drive to the house I saved Elise from, long ago, when she was called Penny, I explained how I came to work for Marco at the age ofnine. I described discovering a two-year-old living in a drug-infested whorehouse and how it took three years to save her. I told him of the church and how I helped my uncle and his wife adopt her from foster care after I killed Marco. I explained how I found her pictures online and how I killed them to protect her.
His eyes were wide, and he swallowed deeply as I detailed how my business and my fortune were because of her. He was a little pale when I finished, and I handed him the bottle of water. Drinking deeply, he placed the bottle into the cup holder and quickly pulled his gun on me.
I glanced over and sighed. “What now?”
