I look at Eden, but she shakes her head and shrugs, clearly as in the dark as we are about who this guy is.
“It gets better. Russ has just identified him as the guy asking about you at the club that day, Eden. It wasn’t Karl.”
She turns and buries her face into my chest and sobs.
“Hey,” Eli crawls onto the bed and the three of us sandwich her in.
“I’m sorry,” she hiccups, turning her face so we can hear her better. “I’m just so relieved that it’s finally over.”
“Oh, pretty girl, you cry all you damn well want. I think you’ve earned that right, don’t you?”
She nods into my chest. I look up at the guys and see expressions on their faces that I’m sure mirror mine.
Relief, love and happiness. It’s finally over.
“We have to go down to the station, Eden, you feeling up to it?” Noah asks gently.
She sits up again, turns to face him and nods.
“Yes. I’m beyond ready.”
Despite her insistence to head out as quickly as possible, we make sure she showers and eats first, ignoring her protests. We pull up outside the police station an hour and a half later. I park the car and follow behind Eden as she holds Eli’s hand in a vice-like grip.
“I can’t tell you how fucking glad I am that this shitstorm is nearly over and we can finally get on with our lives instead of hiding away all the while,” Noah says from beside me.
I agree. The Dante boys have offered me a job until the burlesque club is up and running. I was worried about taking it with all this going on. I’m relieved that’s one less thing to worry about. It’s important I contribute. Being the one who brings less financially to the table than the others stings but I know I make up for it in other ways. Still, having a job helps.
The officer who took our statements after the break-in greets us at the reception and shows us into a smaller interview room.
“How you doing, Eden? Can I get you a drink or anything?”
She shakes her head and sits in one of the two metal chairs in front of the desk and twists her hands in her lap. Eli sits next to her and slides his hand over hers while Noah and I stand behind her. I’m surprised he let us all in here. Especially me, if I’m honest, but I’m not complaining.
“Okay, first of all, Eden, does the name Raymond Fellows mean anything to you?”
She shakes her head immediately.
“Think about it a little longer just to be sure.”
“I am sure. I have done nothing but turn the name over and over in my head for the last two hours and I still have no idea who he is.”
The officer slides a photo of an older man in his late fifties in front of her.
“What about now?”
She picks up the photo and stares at it before turning and offering it to me. “Nothing. Mase, do you remember seeing him at the club at all?”
I study the photo trying to recall all the people that have passed through the doors of Midas since I started but nothing sparks a memory. I place the photo back on the table and shake my head. “I agree with Eden. I don’t remember ever seeing this guy and I’m pretty good with faces.”
“The only reason I’m asking, Eden, is that Raymond is claiming he had consensual sex with you two nights ago. He says you were wearing that particular underwear set. He claims to not even know where you live as you always go to his place.”
Eli holds up his hand in confusion.
“I’m sorry, is this guy trying to say he is in some kind of relationship with Eden?” Noah asks in shock that I’m sure the rest of us are feeling too.
“That’s exactly what he’s saying. He says you met at Midas and have been sleeping together on and off for six months. Two nights ago was the first time he claims to have seen you in six weeks. He went to the club looking for you as he hasn’t been able to reach you. He claims you were not happy he turned up and cussed him out because if it caught on that you had slept with a customer, you would lose your job. He thought you were overreacting as he had only been to Midas once before so didn’t really class himself as a customer.”
We all sit in shock for a moment but finally, Eden breaks it.
“He really made up a whole relationship between us?” she whispers, freaked out and I’m not surprised.
“If you’re saying everything he said is a lie then, yes, it appears so.”
“Are you saying you don’t believe her?” Noah asks incredulously.
I grip his arm and shake my head at him when he takes a step forward.
“I’m just playing devil’s advocate. Where were you two nights ago, Eden?”
“I was at Dante’s with these guys, a few of the owners and a couple of their girlfriends.”
He writes it down on the pad in front of him. “And what time did you leave?”
“Urm… I’m not sure. The last act was on, but I took her place as she was sick, so maybe thirty minutes after that?”
“Just after midnight,” I chime in.
He nods and continues to write. “All right. I have everything that happened last night in your statement already. I’ll confirm your answers but, between you and me, it’s just a formality. He failed to pick you correctly out of the photo we showed him. I’m glad you have a solid alibi though. It helps because, I have to say, this guy is convincing. He is so deep into his delusions that even he believes it.” He stands up and offers each of us his hand before opening the door for us.
“What about the person who slashed my tires?” I ask as I walk Eden to the door with my hand on the small of her back.
“We’re still looking into it. However, there were two more reports last night of slashed tires at Dante’s. So whoever is doing it may have a grudge with the club itself as opposed to the owners of the cars involved.”
It doesn’t surprise me. Places like that are bound to become targets occasionally from disgruntled employees and evicted patrons.
“If anything else comes up, give us a ring. I’ll give you a call, Eden, when we’ve had a chance to go over everything.
“Thank you. I’m just glad I can move on, finally.”
“Just doing my job. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
We make it to the main reception before I feel Eden’s body shaking under my hand.
“Hey.” I stop and turn her to face me and lift her chin up so I can see those spectacular violet eyes of hers.
A tear runs down the side of her face which I catch with my thumb.
“Talk to me, pretty girl.”
She visibly shudders as she struggles to compose herself. “I’m being silly, I know, but I’ve been trying to keep everything inside me for so long now that it just wants out. I’m just so relieved. I’m tired of running and hiding all the time.”
I slip my arm around her shoulder and walk her out to the car where Eli and Noah are waiting for us.
“Everything all right?” Eli asks me.
I just nod, wanting to get Eden out of here and back home again.
Noah drives as the rest of us sit quietly, thinking over the events of the last forty-eight hours. Eden leans her head on my shoulder, watching the world whiz past us as we make our way back to the apartment. I try to think about what it must have been like for her all these years, a child alone in the world who shook off the advances of one predator only to find herself in the crosshairs of another and again marvel at the strength inside her. Many people would have given up and crumpled under the weight of it all. I pull her tighter to me, thankful for her strength.
We pull up outside the apartment and park in the designated spot before making our way inside.
“Eli, wait here with Eden for a second. I just want to do a sweep of the apartment. Noah, you’re with me.”
Eli and Noah nod. Eden walks into Eli’s waiting arms, leaving Noah and me to search. The place is empty and just as we left it, thankfully. After giving Eli the all clear, we all head to the living room and sit.
“So, what now?” Eli
asks from beside Eden.
I watch as he draws circles onto the back of her hand and wait for her to answer.
“I don’t know if I can stay here,” she whispers and I watch as Eli pulls his hand away from hers.
“You’re leaving?” I watch him swallow hard.
“What? Oh, no, shit, I’m sorry Eli, that’s not what I meant.” She grabs his hand again and links their fingers.
“I meant this place.” She twists to see Noah, worry marring her brow. “I want somewhere I feel safe, where we can all be together. Something that is all of ours.” She takes a deep breath before continuing. “I want us to all live together without the ghosts of our pasts for roommates.”
Noah stares at her for a beat before sliding closer to her and pressing his forehead against hers. “I want that too, Eden. It’s time to lay the dead to rest.”
“Mason?”
One day she’ll know without even having to ask what my answer will always be, but that’s okay. I’ll have a lifetime to show her just what kind of man I am.
“Pretty girl, when it comes to you, the answer is always yes.” I stand from my chair and walk over to her, bending until I’m on the floor between her legs. “Where you go, I go, remember?”
She cups my jaw and smiles. “Right,” she agrees. “Let’s start looking.”
She looks at Noah and then to Eli before taking a deep breath and blowing it out. “Can I sleep in one of your rooms with you until we find somewhere else to go? I don’t want this guy to kick us out of our home but I’m never going to be able to sleep in that bed again.”
“Of course you can, Eden. It’s not exactly a hardship, sharing a bed with you, beautiful. Hell, I’m even willing to share with Goliath over here if it makes you happy,” Eli tells her and Noah readily agrees.
We spend the rest of the day moving Eden’s stuff out of the tainted room and into Noah’s bedroom, for now, as it has the view of the river she loves. We find a couple of places online that look promising and make arrangements to visit tomorrow. The afternoon morphs into evening and sees us vegetating on the sofa watching comedy movies to keep the mood light. The guys have agreed to go into work for a bit tomorrow, now that the threat to Eden has been eliminated. I promised the guys at Dante’s that I would work so Eden has agreed to hang out with Gracie. It feels nice just to be able to be normal people, making normal plans for a change. It comes as no surprise when hours later we all fall asleep right where we are, safe and cocooned within our handmade family.
Chapter Seventeen
EDEN
I’m excited to be back at Dante’s. It opened earlier tonight as they have some kind of special boxing match on. I don’t even pretend to know anything about the sport. After having been on the receiving end of a couple of punches, I can honestly say the sport holds no interest to me at all.
“Hi, Eden, it’s great to see you again.” Gracie gives me a big hug when she comes down to meet me on the ground floor in Limbo, treating me like an old friend instead of a new acquaintance.
I have to admit, I like it. Having girlfriends is something I’ve missed out on.
“Mason, good to see you too.” She offers him a wave and gestures for us to follow her out to the atrium and the indoor glass lifts.
“I’m to take you up to the boys and then you’ll get a tour before the club opens in about an hour,” she tells him before turning to me.
“I thought you and me could go and stuff our faces in Greed for a while and take it from there. Sound good?” she asks, twisting her fingers a little, like she’s nervous.
I get the distinct impression that Gracie doesn’t have many female friends herself.
“Sounds fantastic. I didn’t realise how hungry I was until you mentioned food.” We step into the lift and Gracie takes us up to where the fight is being held.
“Well, you are in for a treat. The food at Greed is to die for.”
The lift doors open, revealing Carter and a handsome guy with a bad boy vibe that I haven’t met before.
“I told you I would go and get them, princess,” the mystery man complains.
“I am perfectly capable of riding a lift down two whole floors by myself, but if that ever becomes an issue, Jackson, I’ll be sure to let you know.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
Carter just laughs at the pair, clearly used to their antics. “Mason.” He shakes his hand before turning to me and offering me his hand too.
“Eden, good to see you again. I hope you don’t let our girl get you into too much trouble.”
I shake my head and laugh.
“Guys, this pain in my ass is Jackson. Jackson, these are Eden and Mason.” Gracie pecks them both on the cheek before walking over to me and linking her arms with mine.
“We’ll leave you guys to it. I’m taking Eden down to Greed. I have my phone if you need us for anything. Have fun boys.”
She tugs me towards the lift but a hand to my wrist stops me. I look up just as Mason’s lips descend on mine in a sweet and tender kiss that kind of makes me wish we had stayed home instead. He pulls away, leaving me in a daze as Gracie hustles me into the lift.
“Shake it off, girly, or, before you know it, you’ll find yourselves locked in the disabled toilet.”
I laugh but she isn’t wrong. “You talking from experience?”
“Girl, please, I have my own damn room and you should see the size of my bed.”
We chat away over burgers and beer and I have to admit, it might just be the best burger I have ever eaten.
“So if you don’t mind me asking, how did you get into stripping?”
I look over at her but there is no tone of disapproval to her voice. She just seems genuinely interested.
“Necessity, mostly. Supporting yourself with no qualifications and needing a job that pays in cash leaves very few options. I started out cleaning, but I couldn’t make ends meet. Then one day I saw an ad in the paper for exotic dancers and thought, fuck it. At that point, I really had nothing left to lose. I auditioned and the rest, as they say, is history.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, Eden. I have never seen anyone dance the way you do. It’s amazing to watch.”
I blush a little under her praise. Most people have such a negative reaction to stripping but the strength and skill it takes, particularly pole dancing, is incredible.
“Thanks. I took dance and gymnastics for years. It was just a case of adapting the moves.”
“Think you could teach me a few? Lust is closed tonight for the fight so we would have the whole place to ourselves.”
“Seriously?” I ask, jumping up and down like an excited toddler.
“Oh yeah. I’m sure my men will be quite happy to see what you can teach me.” She winks, making me laugh.
We make our way down to Lust and Gracie opens it up before locking it again behind us.
“So, where shall we start?”
I can’t help the laugh that escapes. Gracie’s enthusiasm and excitement are contagious. I’m in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. Not particularly glamorous but perfect for dancing in. Gracie is wearing skinny black jeans and a red V-neck T-shirt, not ideal but it will do.
“How about we start with some basic moves and go from there? We’ll leave the pole for today but I’m happy to come and give you lessons whenever you want.”
“Really?” She jumps up and down like I just told her we’re going to Disneyland.
“Sure. Now grab a chair and drag it up to the stage. Can you work the sound system from here or shall I use my phone?”
“I got it.”
She grabs a chair and hoists it up onto the stage before disappearing behind the lush purple velvet curtains. I follow suit and snag one of the high back chairs and drag it up on stage before kicking off my ballet flats. Some sexy jazz music starts to filter through the speakers, exactly the kind of music I want to use at my club, and I feel the adrenaline zip through me like electricity.
“This okay?” Gracie asks,
reappearing next to me.
“This is perfect.” I look down at her feet and see the sexy peep-toe stilettos.
“It’s up to you if you want to dance barefoot or in heels. I’ve only kicked mine off because they’re flat. It’s entirely up to you but, in my opinion, it’s impossible to not feel sexy in a pair of heels like that.”
“That is true. What can I say, I’m a total shoe whore. I’ll start off with them on and see how I go from there.”
“Okay, the most important thing to remember is to just have fun. If you feel it, the audience will feel it. Don’t worry about making mistakes or falling flat on your face. There’s no one here to see it but you and me.”
I walk around my chair slowly, gently caressing the back of it with just the tips of my fingers as I strut, swaying my hips seductively to the music.
“This chair is the man of your dreams. You want him more than anything else in the world but it’s not enough, you want him to want you too.”
I come to a stop in front of the chair and bend over and pop my ass out, keeping my legs straight as I imagine Noah on the chair behind me with my booty now inches from his face. I stand up slowly, running my hands up my legs and over my hips. I snag the hem of my sweatshirt and pull it up over my stomach and ribs. I pull it over my head and throw it across the stage before turning and straddling the chair. Now clad in a just a sports bra and leggings, I look over to Gracie who is studying me like she’s mentally taking notes. She takes a deep breath and mimics my movements. I break character for a second when she whips her T-shirt over her head, revealing a red lacy bra. This girl has got some balls. I like it. I only took mine off because it was a hindrance, but Gracie is definitely not a woman who likes to be outdone. She looks over at me with a mix of awe and trepidation, but she needn’t have worried, this girl’s a natural.
“Nice tits,” I tell her, making her snort out a laugh, breaking through her nervousness. Nakedness means nothing to me at this point. I have seen more boobs than I ever thought I would in one lifetime. “The aim is to get this guy begging for you. You want him to get to the point where he will literally do anything you want him to just so he can touch you.”
The Promise of Tomorrow: An Inheritance Novel Page 17
