by Gina Sturino
“I don’t want the night to end.”
“It doesn’t have to,” I replied. From my clutch, I extracted my keys, and Dane followed me inside.
The air conditioning had been set to cool earlier in the day, and the chill brought goose bumps to my bare arms. I went to the thermostat, clicked it off, then pushed open the sliding glass door. The humid evening air instantly warmed my skin. As I turned around, Dane stood an arm’s length away, intently watching me.
“Tonight—” he began, but my mouth cut him off as I rushed the few steps to him, wrapped my arms around his neck, and sought his lips. Dane’s hands flew to cup my cheeks, holding my face in place as our kiss deepened.
He leaned back. “I wanted—” Dane was cut short again, this time by pounding sounds at the door, followed by an urgent, masculine plea.
“Nova!” the voice called and the pounding resumed.
“What the hell?” Dane’s head swiveled from me to the door. “Is that the douche lawyer from the bar?” Dane jerked away. A combination of confusion and annoyance had his brows drawn as he yanked the door open. “Christ Pete, you’re going to have that old cat lady down the hall calling the police.”
“Nova, are you okay?” Pete pushed past Dane.
“Pete! What are you doing?” My lower jaw dropped, and my hands flew to cover my mouth.
“I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday. This guy’s lying to you. I told you I didn’t get a good feeling from him, and my buddy confirmed my suspicion.”
Dane leaned against the door, his arms unfolding to wave Pete further inside. “Now it’s a party. Sure, come on in, Pete.”
Pete kept his focus on Dane’s face as he moved toward me.
“Did you have him do a background check on me?” Dane asked, rubbing a hand through his hair.
“Of course not.” The internet search didn’t count, and I certainly hadn’t involved Pete.
“So, tell us, Pete, what did you find?” Amusement tinged his voice as if he found this horrifying, embarrassing situation funny.
“I don’t know what kind of sick prick you are, but your name’s not Dane Killbane, that’s for sure. There was a soldier with that name stationed at Fort Ord in Monterey, California, with the birthdate of July twenty-fourth, but—” Pete glanced at Dane, who appeared more formidable than usual, and took a discernible gulp before continuing, “He was killed during World War II.”
Dane nodded, as if agreeing with everything Pete had said. “Is that all?”
Another gulp gyrated over Pete’s throat. “Is that all? You’re a freaking liar. You stole someone’s identity!”
Pushing from the wall, Dane prowled toward Pete who visibly shrunk as he neared. Dane wasn’t much taller or stockier, yet he dwarfed Pete. Barely three feet separated them, but it seemed they were chest to chest when Dane looked down and spoke to him in an eerily calm voice.
“You are mistaken. Nova appreciates your concern, but you’re wrong. You’ve worried yourself over nothing. Forget you had this conversation. Forget you ever heard the name Dane Killbane. Forget about Nova. Go, leave. You’ve interrupted a very important evening for us. Do you understand everything I’ve said?”
“I understand,” Pete replied in a flat tone. Without looking at me, he stepped around Dane and let himself out of the door.
The huff from Dane brought my stunned eyes from the door to his face. I couldn’t speak. I had no words for what I just witnessed. My mouth opened but snapped shut again.
“You’re not afraid,” Dane said calmly as he neared me. He watched for a reaction before taking a seat on the leather couch. “You’re not afraid, are you?”
“No,” I whispered. “I should be, right?”
Dane nodded, then motioned to the space next to him. “Have a seat. I’m going to get you some water.” I obeyed without question, taking the spot on the sofa he’d just vacated. He rummaged through the cabinets, pulling a pint glass and filling it with tap water. “Here, take a sip.”
Again, I obliged, moving the glass to my lips and taking a small drink. Pulling the glass away, I asked, “Why can’t I help but do as you say? What did you do to Pete? Why did he leave like that?”
“When I met you, I knew something was different. There’s something special about you. You’re special, of course, but in a unique way. Running into Liam only adds to my confusion. I’ve learned over the years that nothing is a coincidence. There’s a reason he’s here, just as there’s a reason I’m here. And I’m certain there’s a reason I was meant to meet you. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
My throat turned dry, and my heart pounded so hard I feared it’d thump right out of my ribcage. I couldn’t blink, couldn’t move.
The guy vacating his table at Dark Beans. The two patrons at Winetopia who slid from their stools offering us a place to sit. The couple at the picnic table eating barbeque who gave up their seats. Pete rushing off at Dane’s command.
Just like them, I couldn’t help but follow his spoken—and unspoken—commands.
“I’ll answer your next question, but please drink.” He motioned to my glass, and I instantly had it to my lips. Nearly all the water disappeared down my throat as Dane watched approvingly.
Whatever spell Dane had used on Pete and the others also kept me captive. Instinctively, I knew it should be setting off alarm bells, yet I felt no fear.
“Are you okay?” He waited for me to nod before breaking eye contact. As soon as his gaze left my face, my hold on the glass loosened, and it fell into my lap. A splatter of water landed on Dane’s forearm. We both stared at it.
I should be afraid, but I’m not.
“I don’t want what Pete said to factor into your decision to come away with me. I want you to come of your own accord. I’m not a bad guy, Nova,” Dane said softly. Hope thickened his voice, and for the first time since meeting him, I witnessed complete vulnerability from him.
“You want me to go away with you.” Repeating the request out loud made the idea sound less crazy considering the circumstances. Almost reasonable. “When?”
His eyes flickered from his knee to my face. “Soon. Tomorrow or the day after. I need to secure a flight.”
“Is your name really Dane Killbane?”
“Yes. And yesterday really was my birthday. I haven’t celebrated it in a long time.” He blew out a long breath and shrugged. “Look how that’s turned out.”
I was about to ask more questions about Pete’s tirade, but Dane held up his hands. “Honestly, I’m not sure if I can explain.”
The panic I should have been feeling all along rushed up my spine, but Dane quickly placed his giant palm against my cheek, stroking with his thumb and instantly settling my pounding heart. “There are some things I simply can’t explain, Nova. They won’t make sense to you, but I can show you something.”
Dane pushed from the sofa and took the few steps to the sliding glass door where he stepped through to the patio. Hesitating, I waited a few seconds before joining him. His forearms rested on the banister, and he looked ahead to the park.
“The things you’ve sensed—the birds, the confusion—they’re no coincidence either.” My gaze was trained on the park, but I knew his eyes were on me. “There’s something inside of you that is like me.”
“What?” I whispered.
“Something special.”
Special how? I wanted to scream.
“I don’t think you’ll believe it unless I show you.” Leaning over the banister, he focused on the park, then blew out a gentle puff of air. The leaves, bushes, and flowers below rustled, only settling once Dane’s pursed lips relaxed.
My jaw dropped.
He then looked to the night sky. With a flick of his chin, a groan of thunder rumbled in the distance.
A breathy gasp escaped my lips, yet I didn’t speak. I didn’t move. I was paralyzed.
“Nova?” Dane asked in a low voice. “Do you understand?”
“No,” I whispered, afraid to m
eet his eyes. No, I didn’t understand any of it. None of it made sense.
“I’m sorry our night is ending like this. But you will remember it for what it was—a perfect evening untarnished by this odd detour.” His words were calm and soothing. I stood frozen. “I’m going to let myself out. Get a good night’s sleep, sweet Nova.”
Twenty-Two
My eyes popped open as I jerked awake. Pulling the duvet off, I climbed out of bed only to stop as my feet touched the floor. The sound of birds chirping had my head jerking toward the arched pane, then fell to the wide-open sliding glass door below. Hurrying down the stairs, I shoved it closed, and then checked the thermostat. No wonder humidity stifled my loft.
Right. I had turned it off after my date with Dane when he deposited me at the door with a kiss to the cheek. A proper date.
The night was something out of a fairytale, perfect from start to finish.
I began to pivot, only to stop as a black flash and loud plunk came from the glass pane. My hands flew to my chest.
Did a bird hit the door? The door I’d just shut?
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,” I whispered, rushing to the door, where, indeed, a dazed blackbird perched unsteadily on the wood planks. Its head twitched, and it looked at me before hopping a few steps closer, stopping again as if in pain.
The bird watched me as I lowered to my knees. Our eyes remained locked. My breath hitched. Fear soured my stomach when it cocked its head.
“What do you want?” I whispered.
The bird bounced a step closer. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
“Leave me alone,” I pleaded.
Its head began to frantically twitch left and right as if shaking its head no. Gasping, I shuffled backwards, and then scrambled to my feet.
Still clad in my sweat-dampened pajamas, I spun on my heel, rushed out of my apartment, and banged on Dane’s door. Seconds later, it flew open, and he stared down, wide-eyed as his hand clenched the edge of the towel wrapped snugly around his hips. Water drops speckled his broad chest.
“What’s wrong?” he exclaimed.
“A bird flew into my window!”
He inhaled, his shoulders tensing. “A bird?”
“It hit my freaking door literally seconds after I closed it!”
“Okay, okay, it’s no big deal. Birds see their reflection and want to attack. It’s probably just dazed.” Now he exhaled, long and steady. “No big deal.”
“Dane! It was staring at me,” I said, my voice pitching. I didn’t care if I sounded hysterical.
“Let me throw on some clothes… or not?” He shot me a devilish grin, but I was not in the mood for flirtation. “It’s okay, Nova, I’ll take care of it.”
“Now, please.” I nervously balled my hands.
“Of course. I’ll be right back.” Dane hurried up the stairs to change while I waited in the doorway with my arms crossed protectively over my chest. He was back, wearing an athletic T-shirt and shorts, within a minute.
“Let’s go,” he directed.
My apartment door was wide open. I hadn’t closed it in my rush to get Dane. The blackbird sat outside the sliding glass door. Its little head jerked, and it hopped a few steps back.
I remained a step behind Dane as we slowly approached, and then crouched alongside him when he stopped outside of the door. The blackbird’s eyes, tiny as they may be, appeared focused on Dane as it hobbled further from the glass door. Dane’s chin slowly moved upward and out, just as the bird’s wings began to flutter.
“Shoo, get out of here,” Dane whispered.
The bird’s wings began to flap violently, and it took flight, croaking with a shrill sound that had me gasping for air. Dane’s arms were around me, stifling my cries as he pulled me into his chest.
Minutes later, when I finally pulled away, tears streamed down my cheeks. “What was that?” I asked hoarsely.
“Nova, I know you’re upset, but we need to talk.” Dane guided me to the sofa where we sat side-by-side, knees touching. “Being here, meeting you, and knowing Liam’s here—” he looked at me, taking his sweet time to absorb each feature of my face, as if committing it to memory. “I’d like to think it’s a coincidence, but I’ve come to learn nothing is ever a coincidence.”
The conversation sounded eerily familiar.
Last night… Pete banging on the door. Dane’s paralyzing voice…
“I remember,” I whispered. “I remember last night.”
Dane nodded. “Are you afraid?”
The rustling bushes, the groan of thunder.
“What are you?” I asked. Sweat beaded the back of my neck. Heat consumed me, flushing my cheeks and making me dizzy.
“I can’t answer that.”
“Dane, please.” I teetered on hysteria. He shifted from the cushion to a crouched position with one knee bent to the floor. His large palm gently covered mine, firmly grasping my hand. He closed his eyes.
Touches as soft as feathers, hushing my fears, sheltering me as I slipped into the dark confines of unconsciousness.
No, it isn’t possible.
“You were there. You were with me after the accident,” I squeaked out.
A bubble of bile burned in my stomach, and I bolted from the sofa to the bathroom upstairs. Clutching the toilet, I heaved into the bowl. Tears and snot ran down my cheeks. Dane came through the door, concern fierce in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Nova, I’m so sorry. I hate seeing you in pain,” he whispered as he helped me stand. “You’re not ready to face the truth yet, but you have time.” I had no idea what he meant. Confusion and fear churned in my stomach. Dane cocked his head, watching for my reaction. “I want you to know me… what I am.” He tapped his chest. “And I want to find out more about you. Who you are. But you’re not ready… you’re not ready.”
My mouth opened, but I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to do. I was paralyzed by a fear so great, it began to shutter my vision, making the edges black and fuzzy.
Dane’s words turned to a whispery echo as I faded into unconsciousness. “I know I should walk away. It’d be best, but I can’t. I can’t leave you. Not yet. Will you come away with me? Please come… please come…”
Part Two
I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
(Jeremiah 29:14)
Twenty-Three
Having slept in obscenely late, I woke Monday morning to the crisp chill of the air conditioner. My purple duvet cocooned my body, securely tucked from my chin to my toes. I wiggled out of its hold when a resounding thought popped into my head.
Yes, I’ll go away with you.
After our fairytale date the night before, I wanted nothing more. Dane had left me at the door with a proper kiss and a question—would I go away with him?
Now, I knew my answer.
I slid from bed, made a quick trip to the bathroom, then changed into a tank top and athletic shorts. I found myself knocking on Dane’s door minutes later.
He opened it, a sexy grin lighting his face. “Morning, sleepyhead.”
Suddenly shy, my eyes shifted to my toes. “Uh, hey.”
“What brings you by so early?” He glanced at his watch. “Actually, not that early. Want coffee?”
The scent of freshly brewed coffee percolated the air as Dane ushered me in. On the countertop, two mugs had been set out along with a paper plate piled with pastries from Dark Beans.
“I’m sorry, am I interrupting? Were you expecting someone?” I asked, nodding to the food as I slid onto a barstool.
“You, silly. I was expecting you.” Dane poured coffee into the mugs, then pushed one toward me. “I was about to text you to see if you were hungry.”
“Oh,” I said, bringing the offered cup to my lips. “Thank you.”
Dane cocked his head and looked at me expectantly. “So, have you thought ab
out—"
“My answer is yes.”
We spoke simultaneously, then stopped, both giggling.
“Did you do all this to butter me up?” I waived at the countertop.
Dane nodded. “Did it work?”
“I was going to say yes anyway.” Grinning, I pinched the edge of a chocolate-filled croissant and popped it into my mouth.
“Thank you, Nova.” Dane cupped my face with both hands and placed a quick kiss on my nose. “This means so much to me, showing you where I grew up, where I come from. I spent my childhood up and down California’s central coast. I want… I want you to know me.”
My cheeks flushed. Last night when Dane and I danced under the moonlight outside of the art museum, I felt something move deep within my soul. Hope for the future. Planting roots, planning a family. I’d been without one for so long that the idea always seemed foreign, out of reach. When I thought of Dane, how perfectly we fit, I could see that future. I hoped he saw it too.
“How soon can you go?” he asked.
“Well, you caught me between gigs, so my schedule is fairly open.”
“How about tomorrow? I’ll look into flights. I don’t need to check-in with my commander until Friday, and that’s a simple debriefing. It’s contractual. I can’t do it by video conference. Pretty much a quick in-and-out, get-my-signature kind of deal.”
“You want to leave tomorrow? Airfare will be crazy with that short of a notice.” I set the mug down, frowning as I considered the outrageous cost of a last-minute ticket.
“I have a gazillion frequent flier miles. Don’t worry about it.”
The timing seemed rushed, but Dane’s eagerness melted my reservations. I couldn’t help but find myself nodding and smiling in agreement. “Okay, tomorrow.”
“It’s one of the most beautiful landscapes, Nova. You’re going to love it, at least, I hope you do. I’m kind of tethered to the area.”
