Page 28 of Embracing My Nightmare
“He may live outside the normal, but he isn’t that ragged asshole who spooked her yesterday. His hair was cut, his clothes appeared newer, and he has a comfortable setup. I don’t understand why he approached her looking so tattered, but that is definitely not his normal appearance.”
“We need to handle him before he reacquaints himself with Chuck. The last thing I need is for him to get any closer to Elise than he already has.”
“That may be a problem. I followed him to Chuck and Blair’s side of town before he gave me the slip. I don’t know if he’s planning on making contact, but it seems suspicious. I’ve got Freddie and Bird watching the house with orders to keep Elise in their sights.”
“I need to figure out what the fuck his problem is. He was always a sneaky little fucker and I want to know what angle he is working. If it’s money he wants, I’ll bury him in a box full of it when I send him to hell.”
James and I went into the other apartment on the top floor, the room extremelycold. I house the backup servers here so I could access any of my systems when necessary. It also made it easier when I didn’t want to work too far from my lamb. I could comfortably work from this space for days without having to leave her. We settled into our workstations and began combing through Marco’s records.
My old boss may have been a stupid asshole, but he had James and me keep meticulous records during our early years with him. He used kids, thinking we wouldn’t remember passwords or the information we entered. After a few years, he began training us in other areas of his business. When it was his time to dance with the reaper, I took control of his empire and used the information in the files to put down anyone who could threaten my rule. It was only after finding Elise strapped to the bed that I made a change. Going back fifteen years, James and I began the arduous task of finding out what Cameron wanted and exactly how to stop him.
***
Elise
LUNCH WITH CHUCK ANDBlaire was fun. We made homemade bread and a pot of chili, the three of us sitting around the kitchen table as the smell of spices filled the room. It was times like this that I felt closest to them. When we were a family, enjoying the moment we had to catch up, feeling the love surrounding us. I wished Devlin was here, but I understood it may be too soon to introduce them.
“So, who’s the guy?” Blaire asked when Chuck went to the store to pick up dessert while the bread baked.
“What guy?” I asked shyly.
I wanted to shout from the rooftops that Devlin was finally mine, but the need to keep him a secret had always been the rule, so sharing any part of him seemed impossible. The questions on how we met and how long we had been together would come up and I didn’t have an answer.
I couldn’t tell them that Devlin had murdered by adoptive parents and set me free from their abuse. That he promised to come back and make me his. All I ever wanted was to be swallowed up in his darkness.
“The one that left the hickey on you.” She laughed and I grabbed my neck, trying to cover the small bruise. “I’m kidding. I saw your social media status change. It was kind of sudden, but I understand the need to keep a guy under wraps until you’re sure.”
Releasing my neck, I giggled and nodded at her. “It’s still new and we’re getting to know each other. When it’s right, I’ll tell you all about him.”
I prayed that wasn’t a lie. Devlin was such a huge part of my life, even though he was never a part of it physically, that I still needed the time to figure out what we were. We loved each other on a level that washard to understand, especially for me.
Chuck returned with a cheesecake and we sat down, enjoying the chili and homemade bread. The conversation flowed easily, the topics ranging from what we would do for Fourth of July to the addition Blaire wanted to make to the greenhouse outside. They served dessert on the back porch, the three of us eating the delicious cheesecake under the patio umbrella. The temperature was pleasant, but we all knew summer was quickly approaching.
“Could you do me a favor?” Chuck asked, and I turned my attention to him, setting my fork on the empty plate as Blaire gathered them and took them inside.
“Sure. What do you need?” I would do anything for them, and it wasn’t often he asked for a favor.
“I talked to Blaire, so she’s okay with it.” He blushed and cleared his throat. “Could you put me in contact with your guy?” he asked vaguely.
My eyes crinkled in confusion before I realized what he was asking. “Do you need me to grab you some weed?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked uncomfortable. I reached across and gripped his hand as his eyes turned to mine.
“I feel like an asshole for asking you. Forget I said anything.” He tried to stand up and I brought my other hand to his, urging him to stay seated.
“You’re not an asshole and you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ll text Hayden right now.” I smiled at him and quickly sent a text.
“I’m sorry for asking. It’s just . . . I slept great the other night. No dreams, no nightmares.” He smiled sadly at me, “Blaire and I discussed it and couldn’t see the harm in it.”
“Half the country it’s legal. The other half, you go to jail for a joint. It’s ridiculous and I have no problem getting it for you. After everything . . . I’m happy to help.”
He stood and pulled me into a hug as Blaire walked back out with a container of chili for me and my loaf of bread wrapped up. I finished my iced tea and was helping wash the dishes when my phone chimed. My heart skipped a beat, thinking it was Devlin.
Seeing Hayden’s response, I deflated slightly, missing Devlin and wishing he would text. When I left, he explained he would be doing some work in his apartment and to let him know when I was coming home.
Blaire pulled me into a hug, “Thank you for getting that for him. He felt bad for asking but if it helps with his sleeping issue, or yours, I’m completelyon board.”
She released me and I stepped back, turning to find Chuck leaning against the doorway. “I’m happy to help. Do you need me to bring it back over or can I swing by before work in the morning?”
