by A. A. Dark
“You want to be exclusive again? A couple?”
“Until you’re ready for more. But I won’t lie. I want it all. There is no one for me but you. So long as we love each other, we can work through anything. Look at us.” I kissed her hard, wrapping my hand around the back of her head so my thumb could stroke her cheek. “Look at us,” I emphasized. “We’ve weathered the worst, and we still love each other. That’s real. True. Let’s make it official. Be mine again.”
Sweat beaded my skin for more reasons than controlling my release. My life revolved around her answer. My happiness…she held it all. Sure, my world wouldn’t end if she said no, but it could spin out of control. I would never give up. I couldn’t.
“You want there to be an us. I can see it, A rúnsearc. Tell me.”
Pleasure intensified as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I pushed deeper, withdrawing, and slamming into her with a force that had my attention going to her breasts. Squeezing her nipple, I let one of my eyebrows raise.
“Well?”
“The thought has appeal.”
“Appeal?” I plunged into her again, causing her to gasp. “You like that, huh?”
“Again.”
“I’ve got a better idea.”
I flipped her over and pulled her up on all fours. A moan tore from both of us as I entered her again. The soft, romantic side was gone. I let her adjust, sliding in and out slowly. Fingers dug into the mattress, and when she was arching to get me deeper, I began pounding my cock into her. More screams. Beautiful sounds of encouragement.
Wrapping my fingers in her hair, I pulled back, bringing her near orgasm as she tightened around me.
“You can keep trying to avoid an answer, but you’re mine whether you accept this or not. You know that, don’t you.”
“Braden.”
“It wasn’t a question. Say it. You know.”
“Yes. Yes!”
“And you want to be mine, right.”
I fucked her harder, nearly coming as her grip around my cock became almost painful. With a tug on her hair, Anna whimpered.
“Yes…but—”
“No. You just said it. It’s us. Anna and Braden, boyfriend and girlfriend. More, if you’ll ever give it to me. We love each other. Nothing else matters.”
“Please. Braden.” She sucked in a breath as I lowered my chest against her back and reached around, gripping her shoulder. I used the hold to grind myself into her mercilessly.
“I love you. Say it, because God knows I need to hear it.”
“I love you. I love you,” she said, turning to meet my lips.
“Eyes open, baby. See our new beginning. See me.”
Tears welled and fell to the sheet as our lips brushed. Still, I thrust, torturing us both as we tempted the power of fate. It tried to rip us apart once. I was here to make sure it didn’t do it again.
“Mine?”
“Yes.”
Moving my hips, I pushed in again.
“Mine?”
At her mirroring question, I kissed her harder, increasing my speed. It was all it took for Anna to shatter. Her body rocked, shaking while she clutched around me. A broken breath mixed with my deep moans, and I swelled, answering as I came inside her.
“Forever, and ever, and always.”
Something flashed across Anna’s face akin to surprise or pause, but she swallowed hard, nodding, shedding more tears.
“Always.”
Chapter 36
Anna
The smell of bacon and coffee filled the air as I left the bathroom. A yawn came, and I stretched, heading to the kitchen. Where I expected to see Boston sleeping, or his covers and pillow laid out across the sofa, they weren’t. I slowed, trying to push the worry away as I made my way to Braden.
“Good morning. Hungry?”
I smiled, wrapping my arms around him from behind. He was already dressed in a suit, and I knew what that meant. “I’m starving. You didn’t have to do this, though.”
“Are you kidding me? It’s the little things, Anna. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed us.”
He turned, hugging me close as we kissed. At the front door opening, our lips broke apart, and we looked over.
“Oh.” Boston paused, easing the door shut. “I’m sorry. I should have called or something.”
“No, don’t worry about it. Are you hungry? Braden’s making breakfast. He makes the best pancakes. You should taste them. They’re amazing.”
“I’m making bacon and eggs.”
“They’re fluffy, and mouthwatering.”
“Anna.” He pointed to the frying bacon.
“Just wait, Boston. You’re never going to want pancakes from anywhere else again.”
“But…Anna…bacon.”
“And pancakes?”
He laughed, tickling me before he drew me in for another kiss.
“You are something else. Fine. And pancakes. Did you already eat?”
Boston threw me an unfamiliar look, swallowing hard before moving to gaze at Braden. “I, uh…breakfast would be great. Thank you.”
“You okay?” I couldn’t stop the worry in my tone. “Where’d you go?”
“I stayed at Dr. Patron’s. We talked most of the night.”
“Oh. Well, good.”
I headed to the pantry, pulling out three coffee mugs. Boston came closer, but there was a slowness to his movements. Almost as if he were walking through a fog.
“Not really.” He shrugged off his jacket, placing it on the back of one of the dining room chairs. He seemed to forget what he was doing as he stood there lost in his thoughts. “Can I help?”
“Actually,” I said, placing Braden’s mug down on the counter next to him before focusing on Boston, “yes, you can. Drink this.”
“You’re too good to me. Seriously. Braden, you’re a lucky man.”
“Tell me about. I was just thinking the same thing.”
I walked over, placing the cup down in front of Boston. When I sat in the chair next to him, he held my eye contact. Something…a secret? He wanted to tell me something. My eyebrows rose, and I cocked my head, waiting. The look made him shift uncomfortably in the chair. He picked up his coffee, sipping as he refused to turn away.
“I…uh…dropped my mom off at the airport before I headed here. She’s going home. She tried to convince me to go, but I declined. She doesn’t understand why I’m staying.” He paused, blowing out a big breath. “How does she expect me to leave with Daniel still on the loose? Like I could just leave here as if nothing happened and move on with my life? It baffles me. She mentioned school on the way to the airport. School. Unbelievable.”
“What will you do?”
Boston blanked at Braden’s question, blinking a few times before he sipped on his coffee.
“I’ll find a place. Get a job. Wait this out, I guess.”
“I have a place.” Braden turned around, pointing off to the side. “The apartments right down the road. I have a place there. Since Anna and I are back together for good, I figure I’d just be giving it up anyway.”
I watched every little reaction as Boston looked between us.
“For good? I…wow. Congratulations. I’m happy for you both.”
“I can take you to look at it later if you want. I gotta pick up Bullet from the neighbors, anyway. If I would have known you’d be here, I would have waited, and you could have dropped him off with me. The place is nothing fancy, but it’s furnished. And you’d save me the headache of putting it all back in storage.”
“You said it’s down the road?”
“Yeah. Just a block away. You can see it from the driveway.”
“I think I have seen the apartments before. I’m sorry. I’m tired.” Boston rubbed his face. “I like this location. I think it could work.”
“Perfect. I have to go in for a few hours and do paperwork, but I can show you around when I get back.”
“Sounds good to me. I could use a few hours of sleep after the
night I had.”
“You’ll get peace and quiet. I have to head in to check on some things too, so you’ll have the house to yourself.”
“Oh. Great.”
The enthusiasm was completely gone as Boston’s head dropped. I tried to ignore it as I headed in to help Braden, but I couldn’t shake how badly he wanted to talk to me. Grabbing a bowl, I made the pancake batter, feeling Boston’s eyes on my back. Several times, I turned to see I was right. When breakfast was finally finished, he only seemed to get worse. And I let him, because I could sense some sort of guilt. I wasn’t sure how, but it was there. It was growing with every blink of those big, hazel, puppy-dog eyes.
“Braden, thank you for breakfast. Any idea what you want for dinner? I can pick it up on my way home.”
His happiness at my question had my heart skipping a beat. It was real, just like the love we shared. My only fear was losing it. He’d only seen the real me once. What if he saw that again? What if I messed everything up because of my need to help people like Boston? To get revenge on those who hurt people like me and Lucy? That need wasn’t going to go away.
“Spaghetti. God, please…with garlic bread and salad. Jesus, I’ve missed that.”
“Spaghetti it is.”
“I do love you.” Braden stood, kissing my forehead before heading into the kitchen to put up his plate. “I hate to eat and run, but—”
“You do realize who you’re talking to?”
He laughed, grabbing his phone, wallet, and keys. “You’re right. I’ll see you tonight.”
Even as Braden kissed me goodbye, Boston squirmed. The moment the door shut and I heard the cruiser start, I spun on him.
“What happened?”
“Anna, we have to talk. I didn’t think he’d ever leave.”
“Why would he have...to? Oh God, you killed someone.”
“What? No. I mean, not exactly. Not yet.”
“Boston.” The name came out clipped as I lunged to my feet. “Who? Not some innocent, right?”
“No.”
“Daniel? Did you find him?”
“No.”
The anger only made me more confused. “Who?”
“Don’t be mad.”
“Mad? Why would I be mad?”
“Because I’m not supposed to tell you.”
My lips parted. “Excuse me?”
“Dr. Patron doesn’t want you to know.”
“Know what? Jesus, spit it out.”
Boston groaned, shaking his head. “I don’t know why I thought I could keep this from you. Stupidest fucking thing ever. I can’t. I can’t not tell you.”
“Then tell me. What is it?”
“Fine. We took Davis Knight from the running path last night. We have him tied up at some…client’s house, or something. I was supposed to kill him, but I couldn’t. I just…I’m sorry. I crossed the line. I know that.”
Heat infested my face, moving down my neck and chest like molten tar. Boston eased to his feet, walking to stand behind the chair as I gripped onto the back of mine for dear life.
“I knew you’d be upset, Anna, but truthfully, it might be for the best. I talked to Dr. Patron and he thinks you’ve been a little…confused lately in life—”
“Confused?”
Boston paused. “He thinks so, and he was afraid—no, we were afraid something could possibly go wrong. Maybe you have a lot on your mind and someone spots you, or evidence isn’t handled appropriately.”
“Evidence?”
“Stop repeating me. Shit. I’m fucking trying to sound like less of an ass here.”
“Impossible, because what you did was an ass move. Ass…hole! Asshole!”
“Don’t say that. I wasn’t thinking. I feel terrible. Why do you think I’m telling you?”
I glared, snatching my phone from the counter. “I’m so mad at you.”
“No.”
“Yes! Mad, Boston. Angry. Pissed. I’m not even sure I ever want to see you again.”
I could have slapped him for the way his head reared back. “Don’t say that. I…I bought you flowers. They’re in my car. Not romantic ones. There’s a balloon. It’s says sorry.”
“You didn’t. Oh my…gosh. Boston.”
“I would have brought them in before, but I saw Braden’s car. Hold on, I can get them.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“Just wait. You’ll like them. I promise. I got you something else too.”
“Boston—”
Like a flash, he opened the door and ran from the house. When he returned, Boston was holding an array of different colored roses and a big gift bag labeled “I’m Sorry” with overflowing pink tissue paper.
“This is not happening.”
“Just open it.”
“If that’s not Dr. Patron’s head, I don’t want it. I can’t believe he talked you into taking Davis.”
“Open it. You know you want to, Anna.”
Boston held the bag out, letting it swing like a pendulum on the tip of his finger. I threw him a look, snatching the pink braided rope and sitting back in my chair. Tissue paper fell to the floor and my forehead drew in as I spotted boxes upon boxes of candy. There were even loose microwaveable popcorn packages. I reached in, pulling out a classic horror film.
“This is your apology?”
“Have you seen it? Best fucking slasher ever. I figured we could have a movie night. We’ll make popcorn and eat our weight in candy. Now that I have you, we can openly talk about how wrong they commit the killings. The effects are off, arms don’t look that way when you saw them off. You know, that sort of thing. It’ll be great. We can…” His smile melted, leaving a ghostly paleness as he shut his eyes. “What am I doing? Fuck. I…this isn’t right. I mean, it’s okay because we’re friends, but I shouldn’t be so off track. I just think about her, and I remember. Lucy and I always had movie nights. We’d stay up until sunrise just watching and laughing. She’d cringe at the gory parts and crinkle her nose. I loved when she did that. I guess when I brought the flowers and then saw the candy, it clicked. Candy. Popcorn. She worked at the movie theater before we moved to Florida.” He smiled, staring at the bag. “She always smelled like popcorn. I did love when she finally came home from work. Best time of the day for me.”
I frowned, stepping in to grab his hand. “I’m sorry…it still doesn’t change what you’ve done. I’m beyond mad at you.”
“You can’t be. Just say you’ll have a movie night with me. Say you forgive me for almost killing Davis, and we’re good again.”
“I’m so mad at you, Boston. We’re not good. It was wrong.”
“But I bought you candy, flowers, and horror. You can’t beat that when you throw in the popcorn.”
At my silence, he took out a box, opened it, and poured candy into his mouth.
“You can’t beat it, Anna. It’s a token of pure sincerity. Eat some. You’ll see.”
“Ugh.” I took the box, following his actions.
“See. You feel it? My heart bleeds from hurting you. It’s bleeding, Anna. Hurry. Tell me you forgive me.”
“You are unbelievable.”
“Anna.”
“No.”
“Candy. Popcorn.” His hand rose with the film. “Horror.”
“I can’t believe this. Fine. You’re forgiven.”
“Yes.”
“No more gifts. And no more taking advice from Dr. Patron on matters concerning me. I can’t believe he convinced you to do this.”
Boston opened a new box of candy, shrugging. “If it makes you feel any better, I can take you to him.”
“To Dr. Patron? Why would I want to see him? I can’t stand him most of the time.”
Confusion flashed on Boston’s face. “I was talking about Davis, but…I thought you and Dr. Patron were close? Like, really close.”
“What do you mean?”
“He mentioned the two of you were talking.”
“So?”
“Anna, like
…talking. He said you were confused about the whole Braden situation. He made it sound like you and Braden were over, you just didn’t want to hurt him. He mentioned he asked you on a date. From the impression I got, I assumed you went. Truthfully, I was starting to think you were going to be hooking up with Dr. Patron soon. You can imagine my surprise to come home to…well, Braden’s announcement.”
“Incredible. I can’t believe he twisted it around like that. Boston, the date was Davis Knight. And I turned him down. I told him I would take care of it on my own. That I didn’t want his help. The only real reason I even went along with his stupid proposition in the first place was so I could try to see what he was about. Which didn’t help me like him at all. Quite the opposite.”
Boston silently chewed his candy. I could see his personality changing. Something was happening in that head of his, and the easy-going, funny guy he had been moments ago was gone.
“You’re thinking something.”
Silence.
“Tell me. What is it?”
Boston swallowed, licking his lips. “He totally played me. Or maybe he actually believes you like him. I…” He got quiet, pausing as he searched to continue. “Do you ever feel like something isn’t right with him? Like…I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s a tilt to everything he does. The stories add up, but the energy surrounding it doesn’t? That doesn’t make sense,” he breathed out. “Let me try again.”
“No. I think I know what you mean.”
“Do you? Do you feel it? It’s like bugs crawling on your skin, or when your hair stands on end. He’s speaking, but it’s like instinct is telling you he’s full of shit.”
“I did pick up on that. I almost killed him, Boston. That night I got the call from Linda, I had every intention of not letting him leave that house alive. I was so sure she was Lucy…I was sure.” My throat tightened as the woman’s screams came back. “I talked to her for a good twenty minutes. I bonded with this person in a time I was sure could have been her last. She was so afraid. That fear, that was real. That was…real.
“Last thing she told me was Dr. Patron was coming. She saw headlights. She was so terrified. I was terrified. When I got to the location she mentioned being at, I searched. I found Dr. Patron’s phone in the field, but no girl. When I went back to the house, I saw him injured and bloody. Instantly, my heart broke. The woman…she wasn’t there either. I checked the house while I held him at gun point. He kept spouting about Linda and her personalities. He convinced me it was his patient who he openly admitted he was sleeping it. It was so bizarre. Then he called the husband. Told him Linda had escaped and attacked him, and he was on his way to the hospital. It felt so off-place to me. I heard the conversation, but it didn’t feel true. See! It doesn’t make sense. It’s all wrong. I mean, Dr. Patron said he told her about what was going on. That he had to miss their appointment the following week because he was helping you, but how did she know what Lucy knew? How did she know me? How did she know about…?” I froze, feeling my eyes nearly bulge from their sockets. My hand flew to my stomach, pulling me down the rabbit hole of hell. Taking me back to the clutches of No One. Fear had me trying to protect a baby that was no longer there, but I wasn’t me, I was the victim, just like Lucy had been.
