“So the only reason I'm still alive is because of what you did?” I asked softly, averting my eyes.
“Yes,” he replied, walking towards me. He came to rest with his hands on my shoulders. “And I'm glad I did it.”
I looked up at him through teary eyes. I had no idea…
“Sean, I…I'm…I don't know…,” I stammered, never finishing my sentence.
He pulled me to his chest, wrapping his arms around me.
“You and I should be enemies, Ruby. You should arouse the mercenary in me, but you don't. It couldn't be more the opposite,” he said, still holding me tightly. “When I came back and saw the state of your apartment, that you were gone, I was beside myself. I didn't know what had happened, but I had a good idea who did.” His body stiffened as he continued on. “I knew Eric had something to do with it, so the boys and I went down to Boston to get some answers. When we arrived at Marcus's place, they were having a celebration,” he said, his eyes darkening rapidly. “I quickly persuaded them to tell me why.”
My best guess was that bodies fell until Sean got the information he wanted – including Marcus’s. Sean could be very persuasive when he wanted to be.
“Eric was there?” I asked, feeling a growl well up from deep within me. He gritted his teeth.
“Yes. We had a little chat. I let him and a few others live because I wanted to be sure his story was true before distributing justice. If he'd lied and I killed him, I don't know that I would have ever found you in time,” he said, getting quieter. “At any rate, we'll just say he was in the sharing mood, and for once in his life he told the truth, for the most part.”
“For the most part?”
“He skewed a few of the details just to stick it to me. He said where you were, how to find you, but the why was a bit off. He said you wanted to be there, that you didn't want to be found.”
“Did you believe him?” I asked, pushing off of his chest so I could look at his face.
“I didn't know what to believe, Ruby. I didn't want to, but I knew you were scared. Fear is a great motivator. People agree to unimaginable things out of fear. I had to be sure.”
“Is that why you were so cold to me?” I asked, remembering his calculated demeanor when he found Cooper and me in mid-escape from the Utah compound.
“I prefer the term reserved,” he replied with an unsure smile.
I shook my head in disbelief.
“It's a good thing you're cute,” I said, returning the smile. “Seriously though, how could you think I wanted to be there?”
“Eric was less than forthcoming with the terms and conditions of your stay,” he said. “I'm still disappointed that I never got to have a follow up…conversation about that.”
That would've been one hell of a “conversation”.
“Sorry I stole the show on that one, or I guess Scarlet did anyways. But I'll take some credit, too,” I said in an attempt to lighten the mood a bit.
“Scarlet?” he asked raising his left eyebrow.
“Oh, yeah. You weren't here for that. I decided my other half needed a name. I thought Scarlet was befitting,” I shrugged. “She seems to like it.”
“Huh,” he grunted. “Regardless, she did wipe the floor with him, literally. Maybe I'll send her a fruit basket.”
“I'm sure she can't wait for that,” I mocked. “So back to Eric. How exactly did he manage to escape you guys? I mean, I don't suppose he was let out early for good behavior.”
Sean's face turned grim again.
“There were some casualties on our end,” he said without elaborating. I didn't ask for details. Perhaps I was starting to learn when to keep my foot out of my mouth.
“That explains a lot,” I replied. “I'm sorry to hear that.”
“I was too,” he said. “I should've known better. I was too preoccupied and not thinking clearly.”
I smiled internally, knowing that the preoccupation was with me, though I felt instantly guilty knowing what it had cost him. The PC brothers were his family and I knew all too well what the death of family felt like.
I leaned back into his chest, wrapped my arms around his waist and gave a little squeeze, receiving one in return.
“So I'm guessing that the hostility I received from the boys was well warranted then?” I asked, knowing the answer.
“In their eyes,” he replied. “Things are a bit strained at the moment amongst us. Casualties are a reality of our lives…our destinies even. However, your involvement, direct or otherwise has muddied the waters a bit.” He lifted my chin up lightly so that he could look directly into my eyes. “My feelings for you remain unshaken, regardless of the turmoil.”
I squirmed under the intensity of his gaze.
“So back to the original question at hand: why did you leave – the second time?” I asked to change the subject as quickly as possible.
“Things got a bit out of hand,” he said, running his hand through his wavy hair. “I needed to give a full report on our casualties, the Utah pack, Eric…and you.”
“Okay. I get that, but I don't really see why that took three months, Sean.” I tried to be sensitive and hide my irritation.
“The justice system works a little differently for us, Ruby. We're not allowed certain amenities like light, running water, or cell phones.”
I jumped back from him like he'd just smacked me in the face.
“What are you talking about?” I squeaked, trying to whisper and yell at the same time.
“I was awaiting trial,” he said calmly. “I…bent a few rules. I had to answer for them.”
“Are you shitting me? It was a friggin’ war, Sean. Who wouldn't bend a few rules?” I yelled, forgetting the early morning hour it was.
“Listen, there's nothing to get upset about anymore. It's done. Everything is okay for now,” he said, hesitating a bit.
“I want to know, Sean. We're supposed to be getting this all out in the open. Now is not the time to clam up on me,” I threatened.
“It's not a huge deal. There were no issues until we got back from Utah, okay? There was no protocol break in Utah, and they weren't going to do anything to you either, despite your performance out there. That pack had been on our radar for a while,” he said, trying to gain control of the conversation and my growing rage. “I wasn't even the one to defend your actions. One of the brothers did while I was…incapacitated.”
“So I killed all those people and I'm getting off scot free?” I asked, dubiously.
“They weren't people. They were animals.”
I caught the double entendre there, and let it be.
“Where did it all go wrong, then?” I prodded.
He sighed.
“Cooper,” he said wearily. “I shouldn't have taken him to…I shouldn't have helped him, beyond normal measures.”
“And what would 'normal measures' be? Stand over his dying body and go 'yeah, that's gonna leave a mark on your CORPSE'?” I shouted.
“Sophie is our Healer. It's a sacred job. I manipulated her into doing it,” he snapped back at me.
Ouch.
I felt the hatred from deep within me boil up to the surface. Bitch.
“I also took you to our safe house. No outsiders are to be there. Ever,” he said, speaking at a more normal volume.
I slowly lowered myself onto the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. I'd never been more angry and sad, not even the previous evening in the parking lot at Vain. Tears welled up in my eyes.
“What happened?” I asked calmly.
“I was incarcerated and questioned repeatedly until a suitable punishment was enforced,” he said, clenching his jaw. “My disobedience has been corrected.”
I tried to pay attention to him, but I couldn't get past the mention of her name. My skin crawled and my eyes burned. I tried to stifle my reaction enough to ask more about what “correction” his “disobedience” warranted, but I couldn't. Instead, I sat in silence.
“I know I promised you the whol
e story, Ruby, but I'm exhausted. Can we finish this another time?” he asked.
I wasn't sure if he was tired, or if he sensed my clear distaste at the mention of Sophie and wanted to bow out gracefully while he was still in the clear. I was on board either way.
“Sure, no problem,” I said, turning up to him, faking a smile. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
“About that…there's a little issue there,” he started, looking awkward for a moment. Sean never looked awkward. “I don't really have anywhere to stay. Half of the PC is crashing at my place and I'm out a couch,” he said sheepishly. “I think I'd planned on this reunion going a bit differently than it did.”
Exactly how different were you expecting?
“I hope you're not saying what I think you're saying right now, or you'll wish you hadn't come back at all.”
“No, Ruby, I didn't plan to sleep with you, not even close. I was, however, hoping to crash on your couch. It appears to be occupied by a teenager and with Cooper home, it doesn't leave a lot of options,” he said as his gaze shifted over to my bed. “Care for a friendly sleepover?”
My sweat glands exploded all over my body, and in typical fashion, I started rambling and stammering like an idiot.
“Uh, well…um…I guess so, but I, uh…well, I don't really have anything for you to…,” I said, struggling to form a coherent sentence. As I turned to face Sean he was standing in nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs. Very tight, very short boxer briefs. A smile was plastered across his face.
Oh my God.
I instantly panicked and mumbled something about clothes in Cooper's room, running out as quickly as I could. I barreled through the guest bedroom door, not at all concerned about Cooper's sleep status. I grabbed a pair of sweatpants I saw crumpled up on the floor; it wasn't the time to worry about the cleanliness of them, even though I had my doubts. I ran back to my room and threw them blindly in Sean's direction, turning immediately so I didn't see his nearly nude status again.
I could hear him laughing quietly. It was short lived. A horrific scream from the adjacent room snapped us both to attention, sending us running to Cooper's aid.
We burst through his bedroom door, me first with Sean at my heels. Cooper was sitting up in the middle of the bed, soaked in sweat with his sheet stuck to his body. His eyes were open, but I wasn't sure that he was fully aware of his surroundings; he looked like a cornered animal.
I softly called his name as I walked towards him. Sean grabbed my arm to hold me back, clearly unsure of how Coop would react; he didn't know this wasn't my first time at the rodeo. I gave him a reassuring nod and he let me go, looking not entirely happy about it.
Cooper was not really looking at me as much as through me. I kept speaking to him in a soft, low voice all the while pushing a calming energy his way as I had so many times before. It was taking longer than usual to work.
I scooted my bum up onto the bed beside him and pulled my legs up after. He was still not out of it yet. I moved closer and closer until I was literally on his lap, straddling his knees with my face in his; he then snapped out of it.
“Ruby, I'm so sorry, did I—” he started, before I quickly cut him off.
“It's okay, Coop. You're okay. I'm here,” I said soothingly.
He looked over my shoulder to see Sean in the doorway, his expression unchanging.
“You have to tell me what's going on, Cooper, please!” I begged, noticing that Sean had started to pace the room, looking around.
“Do you feel that, Ruby?” he asked.
“Yes, I always do. I don't know what it is,” I said, hearing the frustration in my voice.
From the hall I heard dainty footsteps approaching.
Peyta! Poor thing, we must have scared the crap out of her.
Peyta rounded the threshold rubbing her eyes and smoothing her hair as a huge yawn escaped her mouth. There was a single bedside lamp on in Cooper's room, but apparently that small amount of light was enough to cause her to squint as she looked in on us. She scanned the room taking in the view, and I was sure we were quite the site to behold – Sean in his skivvies, which was a site unto itself, and me straddling a sweaty, possibly naked Cooper. I was setting an excellent example; Ronnie would be thrilled.
“Peyta, I'm so sorry sweetie. We must have scared the pants off of you just now,” I said, trying to elegantly crawl off of Cooper while blocking her sight line of Sean.
“It's cool, don't worry. You guys having a party in here or something?” she asked innocently enough.
“Um, no. Definitely not a party,” I said.
“Who's he?” she asked, pointing towards Sean and his absent wardrobe. It seemed interesting that she was suddenly so able to open her eyes wide as she looked his way.
“That's Sean, he's a friend of mine, of ours,” I blurted, digging my hole deeper as I went.
“Riiiight,” she responded dubiously.
Awesome. She thinks I'm having a threesome. This just keeps getting better.
“Who are they, then?” she asked, pointing to an empty corner of the room.
I looked at her completely confused, then turned to Cooper and Sean.
She must not be awake yet. Ronnie didn't mention that she sleepwalks…
“Who are you talking about?” I loudly asked, wondering if it would wake her up.
“The two guys in the corner. Who are they? Are they your 'friends' too?”
I got off the bed and walked over to her, waving my hand in front of her face several times to see if she was awake. The look she gave me was a huge affirmation of that.
“Are you guys high?” she shouted as she stomped across the room, past Sean to the corner in question. “These guys, right here….” She trailed off as she reached her destination.
“Interesting,” Sean said as he eyed her up in her confused state.
“What's so interesting, Sean? I've got Coop wigging out and Peyta is delusional. My night/morning is deteriorating by the second.”
He walked closer to Peyta, studying her on the way. She turned to face him and tried to do the same; she seemed to be having trouble getting past the underwear.
“It's interesting, Ruby, because she isn't delusional at all.”
“She's seeing things that aren't there, Sean, what would you call that?” I asked, showing my irritation.
“She doesn't see things that aren't there, Ruby,” he said, sounding older somehow. “She sees Those-That-Cannot-Be-Seen.”
“Meaning?”
“Ghosts, Ruby. Peyta sees ghosts.”
13
I opened my mouth to tell Sean that he'd officially lost his mind, but when I turned to see Peyta staring blankly at the empty corner she was convinced just moments earlier was occupied, I realized he wasn't crazy at all. He was right.
“But I just saw them,” she said, turning a blank face towards us. “They were standing right here. They were real, I swear.”
Sean advanced towards her as she struggled to make sense of what was going on. Even in his underwear he was extremely intimidating when he had his game face on, and judging by the look of him, it was kick-off time.
“How long have you seen ghosts, Peyta?” he asked her with an eerily calm voice.
“Since I was a kid, but they weren't—” she replied as he cut her off.
“What did they look like?”
She shot him an angry glance as he came to tower over her.
“Like people.” Her voice was laced with insolence and Sean was having none of it.
“This is not the time to be cute. Answer me,” he demanded.
“Peyta, I know for a fact that he's not going to quit until he gets what he wants. Do us all a favor and speed this whole thing up. I'd like to get at least a couple hours of sleep in tonight,” I said, seeing where the scenario was headed.
“Fine,” she said, scowling at Sean. “They looked like men, twenty-somethings maybe. They didn't exactly look like the dead.”
“Explain,” he ord
ered, crossing his arms across his naked chest.
“Ghosts look how you'd expect, like weak, slightly transparent images of the people they used to be. I would never mistake them for a living person,” she said plainly. “Nobody would.”
“But you just did,” he pointed out, further pissing her off.
“Right, but like I said, they didn't look like ghosts,” she said, defending her abilities.
“And you've never been wrong before?”
“Never.”
He raised a curious eyebrow at her response as he stared her down. She stood defiant, mimicking his stance crossed arms and all; Ronnie would have been proud. I had caved under that stare a time or two. Peyta had spunk and I admired her for it. Sean was formidable to say the least.
“How old are you?” he asked out of nowhere.
“I hardly see how my age has anything to do with this.”
“You wouldn't,” he responded curtly. “How old?”
“What's your deal?” she asked, preparing to embark on a verbal assault.
“Peyta, please…just tell him,” I said, rubbing my forehead where a massive bass drum had started playing.
“I'm seventeen,” she said, staring him down. “Happy now?”
“Elated,” he replied sarcastically. “When is your birthday?”
“Seriously, Ruby, who is this guy?” she asked, turning to me for aid.
“That's the million dollar question, Peyta. I'm still working on the whole story myself,” I said while pressing harder on my head. “My face is going to explode,” I muttered under my breath.
“Not likely, Ruby,” Sean assured me. “Your birthday, young lady?”
“It's next weekend, Saturday to be exact.”
He said nothing but stood there staring at her. Their standoff was highly entertaining and all, but I needed to get some ice for my head. I turned to leave and jumped when I saw Cooper sitting on the bed; I'd forgotten he was even there. He was surprisingly quiet and looked horribly nervous.
“Cooper, you just scared the shit out of me. Why is this night conspiring against me?” I lamented as I walked out of the room. Sean followed me with Peyta tight on his heels, taking a verbal strip off of him. She sounded like a yappy terrier.
Haunted Page 7
