Page 30 of Encircled in Darkness
“Do you know what you want?” he asked, closing the menu, and kissing me on the head.
“I love their six-layer lasagna. Natalia and I would split one for dinner when we had extra money to splurge. They always give you extra garlic bread if you ask so we would get ours to go and eat by the lake.”
“Would you like to do that? I love sitting by the lake.”
Looking up at him, I asked. “You would do that?”
“For you, I would do anything.” He raised his hand and summoned the waitress over to the table. He placed our order, adding some delicious desserts I had always wanted to try. Quickly, it was delivered in a bag and we strolled to the park, my hand holding his elbow as he escorted me to the empty picnic pavilion.
We ate as we watched the soft water lap at the shore of Pierce Lake, sneaking small glances at each other as we devoured the food. The lights were shining through the woods on the far side of the lake and I sighed. James looked at me and followed my gaze across the water.
“They’re friendly people. You’d think being as rich as they are, they would be assholes, but they’re really down to earth. I’m sure I could get you a tour of the grounds sometime.”
“Sounds fun.” I remarked, and he stood from the wooden table and offered me his hand.
Guiding me down the path, I could tell he wanted to talk about something but he kept hesitating. I came to a stop and he tugged against my hand before turning to look back at me. I smiled softly and dropped his hand. He flexed both hands and took a step toward me. Holding up a hand, I stopped him.
“You want to talk about something, but for some reason, you won’t. Whatever it is, I can see its bothering you. Talk to me, James.”
He exhaled and sat down at the bench on the edge of the lake. I joined him and turned so I could see him. His chiseled jaw clenched, and I reached over, touching his shoulder to bring his gaze to mine.
“I need... shit. I need to know how you got hooked up with Greg Dargin.” I swear his eyes flashed black briefly and I swallowed thickly. “I don’t know if the man from last night is connected to him and I need the details of your meeting to see if they are.”
Shifting to look at the lake, I let the sadness bleed out before I spoke. I thought Greg was someone who would help me.He did, but not before he helped himself.James wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his chest as I spoke.
“Natalia had been at the state facility for three months and she wasn’t getting any better. The staff were overworked and underpaid, and they were giving her the bare minimum of care. I had just left from seeing her when I stopped by the coffee shop on the facility grounds. He bumped into me, then offered me a cup of coffee and a sympathetic ear.”
Pulling away from him, I wrapped my arms around my waist and he softly rubbed my back as I continued. “He gave me his card and offered to help me find a job. I got desperate a few weeks later when I couldn’t find a job and was sleeping in my car. He took me to lunch and explained he had a client who needed... a companion. That’s what he called it, and I turned him down immediately. I wasn’t a whore like my mother, or so I thought.”
He tried to speak, and I shook my head. “I understand that I’m not, but at the time, I was fighting not to become her and losing myself in the process. I was alone and felt like I was letting Natalia down.” I shook my head at my naivety. “Greg emailed me the following week, offering three thousand dollars just to meet withhim. Stupid me thought I would go to the meeting, just for the paycheck. When...”
I swallowed again and pushed through the shameful memory. “When I got there, I saw him and the idea of being with him, someone so refined, made me agree to the arrangement. I was desperate, I... I was so alone. I didn’t know what else to do. I... I couldn’t say no.”
“And you use the money to take care of Natalia.” He stated, no question involved. “It’s noble and selfless and that’s why you’re nothing like your mother. You did it for someone else, not for personal gain.”
I smiled sadly and sat back against the bench. “I got her moved to a facility in Blouts Ridge the following week and they take such wonderful care of her. It’s all worth it if she’s taken care of. She would do the same for me.” I hesitated before I proceeded. “There is something I’d like to know, if that’s okay.”
He glanced at the lake briefly, then back to me. “I’ll answer whatever you ask unless its classified or private client business.” He kissed the back of my hand and gave me his full attention.
“Why were you at the parties? I never saw you partake, and no offense, but that doesn’t seem like a place you would normally spend time. I’m grateful, but a little confused. Have you... have you done something like this before.”
He turned to me and I could feel the anger coming off him. I wasn’t sure if it was directed at me, and I wrapped my arms around my waist. “The only reason I was at those parties was for you.” Shocked by his declaration, I watched him with curiosity. Licking his lips, he ran his hand across his trimmed beard. Turning his eyes to the lake, he spoke. “You’re going to say I’m crazy again, but I saw you. Here.”
“Huh?”
“I was walking through the park when I saw you, sitting just over there.” He pointed to an area under a large oak tree near where we were sitting, and I remembered that day vividly. The memories flashed as he recounted his story. I was particularly lonely and had come to our spot. “You were crying but trying to hide it from the people who were around you. I saw the pain,” he leaned in and whispered, “and the darknessthat was eating you alive.”
My head snapped to his and he lifted our linked hands and kissed the back again, his eyes locked with mine. I could feel the darkness pushing up, begging for James to enter. He licked his lips and my nipples pebbled as his voice deepened.
“I followed you home and ran a check on you. That led me to Greg, which led me to the parties. I couldn’t let you keep doing that when I could help. I’m sorry it took me so long to get you out of there.” He hung his head and clenched his fists.
I reached over and guided his face with my hand, waiting for his gaze to meet mine. “I’m sorry you had to see... what you saw. But please stop being angry with yourself. You didn’t have to do what you did for me, and I’m forever grateful. I promise to pay you back someday.”
Even if it took my entire life, I would never stop being grateful to James for pulling me away from Victor and his demented perversions.
James grasped both cheeks and kissed me softly. Looking deep into my eyes, he whispered. “You have no debt with me and when it’s time for you to pay for Natalia, you will let me take care of it.” I shook my head and he sighed. “I sold my software for enough money to last ten people three lifetimes plus my business is still successful. I want to and you can’t stop me.”
He winked and I melted a little inside. “Why are you so good to me?”
