Page 32 of I Promise You
Then he gives me a dark expression that intensifies, and it’s a look I’ve never recognized before. When I think of Kane, I think of the steamy, dorky guy that’s always happy.
“You’ve just crossed a line. Nothing will be the same after this.” I shake my head slowly, disappointed.
I can see the moonlight reflecting through his eyes as he finally softens his appearance and wipes my tears away. His touch sends flutters throughout my stomach.
He can’t be doing this to me. I push his hand away, taking a step back.
“I know.That’s the point,” he replies.
I narrow my eyes, not wanting to decipher more.
“Sweet dreams, Ari.” His jaw sets tight, and he releases my hand. This is a side of him that I’ve never seen before. It’s so dark and yet…so intriguing.
Before he turns around, his dark blue eyes linger on my lips a little longer. Flustered doesn’t even begin to describe the way my chest feels. It’s on fire.
Shit.
It’s been too long since I’ve felt Danny.
Then Kane turns around finally and retreats to his bike. He slides his arms into his leather jacket, throwing it on as he disappears behind the thick trees that surround the front of my house. The entire time, it feels like the world is in slow motion.
I’m in love with a man named Daniel Rider.
And yet, I can’t help but feel like there could be something more there with Kane Slaughter. Because he just showed me he’s capable of saying those three words, but Danny still hasn’t, which is disappointing after all we’ve been through.
10
ARI
I’m engulfed in dark shadows again. Paul plays the guitar to Mana and I’m watching him in the dark on his bed. Every time I see my big brother, I’m always happy. He visits me only in my dreams, but this time, it’s different.I don’t feel bliss this time. I only feel dread.
Paul plays the guitar, and he’s not smiling. He’s frowning as he plays aggressively. Then I see something. Something eerie and familiar.
The Grim Reaper slowly creeps up behind his back, appearing above his shoulders, and I see a hand with no flesh, just bones, creeping over his chest, grabbing him.
I can feel my heart beating so hard that it hurts.
Danny’s exact tattoo appears behind my brother, and I try to yell, but nothing comes out. I try to warn him, but no scream leaves my constricted, dry throat.
Then the Grim Reaper turns to me with an insidious expression and smiles viciously, revealing a skull face.
“Time. Waits. For. No. One.”
The same demonic voice comes from the Grim Reaper. The same voice I heard as I slowly slipped into unconsciousness when Shane and Nora killed me.
That’s when I feel a cold, freezing breath down my neck, and a sensation that something is sitting on my chest, pressing hard while shivers strike all my bones and I’m sinking further down a hole of fear.
“Nooooo!” I am finally able to scream as the dark visions vanish away.
I jolt upright in my dark room, breathing hard, trying to escape the nightmare.
I cry into my hands, and my front door swings open.
It’s Danny.
He’s covered in camo paint all over his face. His uniform is riddled with equipment, and a gun is holstered at his waist.
The last time I saw him like this was when he was my patient in Iraq.
