Page 205 of Ominous: Part 1
Eli’s eyes come to mine, and while he’s smiling, I can tell there’s nothing good natured about it. “Do you?” he asks softly.
“Yep.” I play with my bracelets, and the movement catches Eli’s attention. My eyes flick between his, and the knife in his hand. I can almost feel the blade against my wrist again, like I did when I carved Nic’s name.
“Come here,” Eli says, lifting his gaze to mine. “I’ll make you one.” He glances at Dom. “You want anything?” There’s something in his tone I don’t like. I’ve never truly trusted him, but my doubt has faded to the background the past few weeks, at least when it comes to present moments. Now, mistrust and unease come roaring back in full force.
Dominic sniffs. Then he must nod, because Eli points the blade absentmindedly toward the kitchen.
I make myself move, one bare foot in front of the other, and after a couple of steps, I hear the shift of the floor as Dominic follows.
Eli still has the knife, but there’s no tension in his shoulders, turned brown from the sun. His jaw isn’t clenched, and the handle is still loose between his fingers.
I keep coming closer.
Behave yourself, Eli.
His eyes don’t leave mine.But this time, I can’t imagine what he’s thinking. As I step by him, I have the urge to grab his choker and yank him into the kitchen after me. But I think he needs to deal with Dom.
Preferably without the knife. I stop short, lifting my head to hold his gaze. Reaching for his wrist, I circle the bones there gently. “Were you making something?”
He bites his bottom lip. Lust seems to heat his eyes as they drag along the length of my body, then slowly back up.
I relax a little, seeing a true emotion in his face.
“Yes,” he says. Without elaborating, he carefully twists his wrist out of my grip. “I’ll be right there.”
I drop my hand by my side, wanting to reach for him again, but knowing I shouldn’t.
I look to Dom, only to find him staring at his friend. I consider a moment, then decide there’s not much I can do.
They’ll work this out.
Still, I think about Dom’s story of what Eli told him, about the mice. I think of the footprints. I glance at the blade again. In my head, Eli’s threats ring.
Dom arches a brow my way, and I take it to mean he can handle himself. I smile at Eli, then head into the kitchen, holding my breath as I come around the island, so I can see them. There’re several feet between us. If something happened, Dominic could be dead before I’d get there, but…
Relax. Stop being ridiculous.
I take a deep breath, willing my heart medicine to kick in as I reach blindly for a cup full of something on the counter. I don’t know whose or what it is, but I tip it back and swallow down what I think is straight vodka. I wince as Dom approaches Eli.
Eli doesn’t move. I can see only a little of his face, but the smile is still there.
Dominic swallows. He doesn’t look down at the knife. “Luna said I could come.”
I take another gulp of vodka. Even when I’m done, I keep the cup to my lips. It’s like a drinking game. Every time they speak, I’ll drink. The way it’s going, it’ll take a while for me to get completely wasted.
Because Eli maintains that eerie, empty smile, saying nothing.
Behind the door at my back, I hear a splash. A few claps and cheers. Music turned up louder. Everyone outside is blissfully unaware something ominous is unfolding here.
“Thanks for calling.” Dominic doesn’t look so nervous now, and his tone takes on a hard edge. “Or, you know, texting.” He snorts, shaking his head as he runs a hand under his nose. I see a fleck of blood against his pale skin as he drops his arm and curls his fingers into a loose fist. “I really appreciate you being there for me.” He clenches his jaw. “I’m sure evenyouheard the news. Always got an eye for the creepy shit, huh, man?” His voice breaks. “But they didn’t publish everything. You still keeping my secrets, or are you giving all those away?” He steps closer to Eli, getting in his face.
I’ve quickly discarded my drinking game in favor of keeping an eye on the knife in Eli’s hand.
“There’s hardly anything left of her. They’re not going to find a fucking cause of death.” Dominic sniffs again, his voice gravelly but rising in pitch. “It’s like… bone broth, being left out there so long.”
Pins and needles crawl beneath my skin.
He steps even closer, and plants a hand beside Eli’s head.
