Page 62 of Embracing My Nightmare
Snow was falling, blanketingPierce Bluff in white and I could see the lake shimmering through the glass doors leading to our patio. The smell of cinnamon floated through the apartment and I looked at the Christmas tree covered in white twinkling lights. Devlin and I had renovated the top floor, turning it into a giant loft apartment just after Fourth of July and this was our first full month in the space. He used my old apartment for his second office, though he rarely spent any time there.
Devlin convinced me to leave the interior design firm with little argument from me. I went to work for him, handling payments and billing for the contracts he still had running. It required no effort on my part, and I knew it was another way for Devlin to keep me close.
After I was kidnapped by Cameron, it took months before I went anywhere alone. Either Devlin was with me, or James would be my shadow. I had encouraged James to join me, but he felt more comfortable when he was guarding me from a distance, which helped to keep our friendship separate from his job. James was a good man whose loyalty to Devlin was inspiring. He had become a good friend to me and joined us for family gatherings often.
Devlin kept his word and Chuck was able to claim Cameron’s body. He was discovered after a fire destroyed the crumbling house, resulting in my nightmares literally being burned to the ground. I stood with my dad and mom as he spread his brother’s ashes over his parent’s graves. Devlin stood by my side, holding me up so I could be strong for my family. I grieved for my dad, not for Cameron and wished all our lives could have been different.
Devlin had been gone now for a few days, finalizing some contracts on the West Coast and I had been enjoying the quiet moments in our new home. I missed him terribly, and every time I did, I would turn to one of the dozen cameras in our apartment and smile, knowing he was still watching.
Blaire and Chuck had come for dinner tonight and we had discussed our plans for Christmas and the coming New Year. We developed a routine of swapping houses for our Sunday dinners and this week, it was just the three of us.
“I want a grandbaby,” Chuck proclaimed as we sat in front of the fireplace, the lights from the lake shining in through the large glass window.
I coughed around the bite of cake I was eating, and Blaire patted me on the back as I gulped down some water. She shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. I wanted to give Devlin a child, but so far, we hadn’t had any luck. I didn’t worry, knowing when it was our time, it would happen. If it didn’t, there was a foster system full of kids who needed a good home. Kids like Chuck, Devlin, James, and me.
Kids that deserved love, a safe home, and a supportive family. With that, you could conquer the world. My phone chimed and I went to the charging dock and saw Devlin’s name. My eyes crinkled quizzically as I opened the text marked urgent. My eyes grew wide and I looked up at the camera near the kitchen and pointed my finger, mouthing ‘stop it.’
He had sent me a picture of him in front of a mirror, fully naked with his hard cock in his strong hand. The light had captured the definition of his sculpted chest and toned waist, and he had the sexiest smirk on his face. The accompanying text read.
I’ll be home in the morning. Be ready little lamb.
He still wouldn’t tell me where my vibrators had disappeared to and every time I ordered a new one, it got lost, returned, or the order got cancelled. Blowing a kiss to the camera, I set my phone down and returned to my parents. It felt nice to say that and recently, I started calling them mom and dad on occasion. We were still trying it on for size and just as often, I called them by their names.
“Devlin sends his best,” I explained, as I sat back on the couch.
“When’s he going to be home?” Chuck asked.
They had grown close over the last few months and spent time together whenever we were over at their house.
“In the morning. His last meeting just finished up.”
“I know you miss him,” Blaire remarked and I smiled at her.
With no secrets, they were privy to mine and Devlin’s unique obsession with each other. Some might call it unhealthy, but we called it love. I looked at them and saw their obsession with each other and realized that it was how much you gave in a relationship that determined how much you would get back. Devlin gave me everything and in return, I gave him my all.
After they left, I locked the apartment and walked over to the glass door, to look out at the lights surrounding the lake. I saw a couple walking the path around the front of the lake and smiled. I pulled the blinds closed and double checked the locks before changing into my sleep shirt.
I crawled into bed with my tablet and found myself lost in the words. Reading had become a passion again and Devlin made sure to keep my tablet filled with more books than I could read in a year. My eyelids grew heavy, so I placed the tablet on the end table and sent Devlin a final text for the evening.
Me: Goodnight my love.
His response was immediate.
Devlin: Goodnight lamb. I love you.
Me: I love you more.
I blew a kiss to the camera in the corner of the room and turned off the light, snuggling into the down filled bed. Devlin’s pillow was firmly in my arms as I watched the snow falling past the window. The fluffy white flakes drifted in the breeze and I fell asleep to the sound of tiny ice shards brushing against the glass.
***
Devlin
IHAD BEEN OUT OF TOWNfor three days and it was the longest we had been apart since I walked into her bedroom at the beginning of summer. Christmas was a few weeks away and I wanted to have the last of my business finished before the holidays.
James and I sat down and discussed the future of Callahan Cyber. The program we created was valuable and after careful consideration, I decided to sell it. Offering James half of the contract payout, he balked, saying that it wasn’t necessary. I reminded him thatwewrote the code and we should equally split the money. After the contract signing today, we both walked away with enough money to live beyond comfortable for the rest of our lives. With smart investing, we would never have to work again. Not too bad for two street kids who were sold for a debt and rose to be kings.
James never wanted the accolade that went with running Marco’s business, but everyone knew that he was the genius behind my madness. After leaving the meeting, we drove straight to the airport and boarded the private jet back to Portstill.
