Darkness Follows

by J. L. Drake

  A woman stepped in my way as she went to take one, so I lowered it to her height with a slight bow. The woman took her time deciding which nasty-ass piece of fish eggs she’d like to eat, and all I could think was how much I wanted to ram the tray down her slender, fucking throat. I needed a drink. I peered over her dark curls just as Seth strolled by. He studied people’s faces and worked the room with so much precision he made me want to puke. Mr. Perfect could go fuck himself, and his partner too. God, I hate these guys! I politely smiled at the woman when she finally took one and ducked into the kitchen. The chef gave me a puzzled look as I tossed the tray down, sending the hors d’oeuvres flying across the counter. I pulled out my phone as I made a hasty retreat.

  My car was parked three streets down from the event, just to be careful. I opened my trunk first and freed a bottle of Jack from my bag. The amber liquid coated my throat in the familiar burn I’d grown to love. Adler clawed at the window and whined until I let him out to take a piss. He wasted no time before he hopped in the front seat and waited patiently for me to get in. He was a good dog; he knew the rules, unlike some people.

  I downed about a quarter of the Jack and tossed the bottle in the back seat. My hand moved to the wheel, then I slammed down on the gas and got the hell outta there.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Seth

  I shrugged off my jacket and removed my bow tie and tossed it in the back seat of Garrett’s Jeep. I rolled up the sleeves of my white dress shirt and ran my hands through my hair. Fuck, I’m tired.

  “God, we were so close,” Garrett said as he pulled into a parking spot outside the hotel. We had both stewed the whole drive back. I slammed the door behind me as I undid the top button on my collar and followed Garrett into the hotel.

  “I can’t believe that son of a bitch slipped through our fingers.” I punched the PH button in the elevator and sank against the cold wall.

  “How in the hell is he always one step ahead?”

  “No Goddamn idea,” I growled, then softly knocked.

  Avery opened the door and let us in. His face looked strained. Something was off. My body snapped back to cop mode.

  “Where is she?” I scanned around the room.

  “Bedroom.” Davis pointed over to the far bedroom. “She’s pretty upset.”

  I whirled around. “Why?”

  “She took it pretty hard when she found out who one of Lasko’s victims was.” Avery made a pained face.

  “How did she even know he had victims?” I nearly shouted. I was beyond frustrated.

  Avery shook his head. “She said she overheard you two talking.”

  I looked at Garrett, who shook his head at me. We never spoke about it in front of her.

  “Did she eat?” I asked.

  “Yes, then no,” Davis said quietly. “She got sick.”

  I chucked my jacket on the chair as I made my way toward her room. I slowly opened the door and found her asleep on the bed, still in her dress. Her hair was fanned across the pillow.

  I felt exhausted as I walked over to close the blinds. My heart played tug of war over whether to stay with her tonight. I looked at the locked bedroom door. The guys were out in the other room. I felt safe. Screw it, I needed to be with her. Tonight had been too close for comfort.

  I pulled a blanket out of the closet and crawled onto the bed. I carefully removed the rhinestone chain clasped at each side of the dress. I knew it wouldn’t be comfortable to sleep on. I couldn’t resist moving her hair off her neck and planting a small kiss on her warm skin. Just one touch of her skin sent my body into overdrive.

  She whispered my name and turned into me. I froze as she nuzzled my chest, but after a moment I could tell she was still asleep. As much as I’d love to wake her up and indulge myself in her, I didn’t want to confuse her further. I needed to keep her at arm’s length. I needed to be able to protect her until this was over, and then I was going to do everything to win her back.

  I only hoped it wouldn’t be too late. I wrapped my arms around her and breathed her in. She let out a small sigh and let her body relax into mine.

  I loved her like this, formed to my body as if we were one.

  “I don’t think it’s possible for you to understand just how much I love you, Emily,” I confessed into the night…a confession that was mine to keep private.

  ***

  Emily

  I jammed my laptop into my bag. I felt rested only because I’d taken a pain killer the night before. They always put me out, and for once I was thankful, because my nightmares were stronger than ever.

  It had been three days since the gala, and Seth still kept his distance from me with little explanation. Quite frankly, I was done with this whole back and forth shit. I wanted to catch Lasko more than anyone, but I felt like I needed a break before I lost my mind.

  As I went down the stairs, I called Marc and asked him to suggest the best spa for a weekend getaway. He always suggested his clients get some R&R before they had their big night, so I knew he’d point me in the right direction.

  “Okay, the Wind Gate Spa and Resort in Laguna.” I scribbled it down on a piece of paper.

  “Oh, Emily, it’s just what you need.” Marc sounded excited. “I have a dear friend who works there. I’ll get him to give you the best room and the best package. You’ll walk out of there like a brand new person. I’ll see what dates are available, and I’ll let you know. Bye, sweetie.” I headed downstairs with a little spring in my step, feeling somewhat better.

  “Emily, I made you some pancakes, and I want you to eat them.” My mother pointed to the plate where three great big cakes were layered.

  Garrett smiled at me. He clearly loved that she’d made him pancakes too. I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the table. She set the plate in front of me.

  “No,” she scolded and removed my coffee from my hand.

  “What? What the hell, Mom! Why does Garrett get to have his?”

  He grinned with pancake-filled cheeks.

  “Because he is eating all his breakfast.”

  “I am,” he chimed in as he shoved another large bite into his mouth.

  I rolled my eyes, and then, when my mother’s back was turned, I grabbed his mug. He laughed as I took a huge sip.

  Seth came in as he buttoned the cuff on his work shirt.

  “Emily Grace!” my mother snapped.

  “Don’t be middle-naming me, Mother. I’m twenty-two years old and have been on my own since I was fourteen. If I want a cup of coffee, I’m going to have one.” I stood up and poured myself another into a travel mug.

  She sighed and glanced at Seth. “I don’t know how you deal with her.”

  “He doesn’t,” I snapped back, and purposely kept my head down.

  “Em, what’s the Wind Gate?” Garrett asked. Of course he’d have to ask in front of Seth.

  “It’s one of the best spas in California,” Mom answered before I could. “I love their hot stone wrap. Are you going there, dear?”

  “Umm, yeah.” Garrett gave me a puzzled look and then glanced at Seth, who had a death stare aimed at me. “I just need a little break.”

  My phone buzzed, and I saw a text from an unfamiliar number.

  Unknown: 24 Victoria Drive. 5pm. My parents are very excited. Don’t be taken aback, it’s my job to get hold of phone numbers. Nicholas

  I stopped breathing. Seth looked at me funny. “Everything all right?” he asked as he took a sip out of my travel mug.

  I nodded. I didn’t want to say anything because he could read my voice so easily. Bad enough that he could read my face like an open book.

  Emily: See you then.

  I heard a two-beep honk. I tossed my phone back in my bag and took my coffee back from Seth. “Gotta go.”

  Seth stood straight up. “What?”

  “Pete’s here.”

  “Emily, you didn’t eat your breakfast.” Mom’s hands were on her hips.

  “I’ll get something at school.” It
was sweet that she made pancakes for me. This might have been the only time she had. I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, though.” She smiled quickly, then shook me off and returned to the dishes. That was the first time she didn’t have a follow up insult. Progress? I think not.

  Seth caught my arm. “Why is Pete here?”

  I looked at Garrett. “Just thought I’d give you the morning off.”

  Seth didn’t let go. “Em.” He sounded confused by me.

  “Hello, hello, sexy Pete is in the house!” Pete called out in a husky voice. He entered the kitchen. “Jenny!” he shouted and wrapped his arms around Mom. He looked at me and winked. Mom loved Pete, and he knew how to work her.

  “Pete!” Her voice was muffled by his shoulder. “You have time to eat?”

  “No, Mom, I’m sorry, but we’re going to be late.”

  Pete saw her face, picked up a pancake off my plate, and started eating. “Oh, carbs, how I’ve missed you.” His eyes rolled back in his head. I laughed as he devoured the pancake. He slapped Garrett’s shoulder. “Morning!”

  Garrett chuckled as he brought his plate over to the counter. “Hey, Pete, how are ya?”

  “Doing good, happy that you guys are letting me take my love to school today.”

  I stiffened, but Mom was off in thought and didn’t catch it.

  “We just found out.” Seth’s voice was gruff.

  I headed toward the door. “Let’s go, Pete. I have class in twenty.”

  Pete made a face but followed me.

  “Oh,” I said and turned to them. “Erin’s driving me home. So you won’t have to worry about me today.”

  Seth’s face grew angry, and Garrett stood.

  I took my cue and left. I hoped we could get out of there before they said anything else.

  School was slow and I grew antsy quickly. I decided to skip my normal lunch at the Goose and settled on something different.

  I held my hand to shield my eyes as I dashed across the parking lot and into the little bistro. It had been raining all day, and now that the sun had finally come out, it was incredibly bright. I nodded at Riggs, who was parked to face the restaurant. I just needed to get out, and he promised to give me some space…within reason.

  I ordered and wrapped my sweater around the back of my seat as to not get wrinkly. The table was in the back corner, tucked away, where not many could see me. After I ordered, I opened my book and lost myself in the story.

  A pair of black boots made my head flip up.

  “Umm, this is my seat.” Avery gave me a little smile. “I see you feel the way I do today.”

  I pushed the chair out so he could join me.

  “Had to get out, but don’t feel overly social today.” I will have to be in a few hours. I shrugged, wanting to be honest.

  He looked over his shoulder like he scanned for an extra table. “Are the guys here?”

  “Riggs is outside. School just got a little overwhelming.”

  He studied my face for a beat. “Well, I’ll leave you be.”

  “No,” I nodded at the seat, “I’d enjoy your company.”

  His eyes lit up. “Enjoy my company? Or join you so I won’t call the guys and tell them you need a break from school? I hope you told Riggs to keep quiet.”

  I smiled and laughed a little. He was good. “I did. I promised him a barbecue if he stays quiet.”

  “Ha!” Avery laughed as he slipped into the seat across from me. The waiter placed my turkey sandwich with fresh fruit down in front of me and handed Avery his soda. I took a rather large bite, not so ladylike, and asked, “What are you doing out on your day off? Running errands?”

  He leaned back and folded his arms. He must have walked here; raindrops clung to the ends of his hair. One by one they fell, slipping and sliding down his neck and into his shirt, which was damp around the collar.

  “Got a little too quiet at home.”

  I shook my head in agreement and didn’t push. Avery didn’t share much, and that was fine. I was very used to that with Seth.

  “I get that.” I sighed as I dipped my cantaloupe in the cottage cheese. Avery made a noise, and I looked over at him.

  “That’s disgusting.”

  I smirked. “You ever tried it?”

  “No.”

  “Then how can you know?”

  He leaned forward and gave me a playful smile, one I’ve only seen maybe once. “Think about it, cottage cheese is creamy, lumpy, and white, then you spread it over your perfectly good piece of fruit.” He raised his hands. “Just sounds nasty.”

  “Men,” I muttered and thought about Garrett the other day when he said the same thing. “You need to be open to new things.”

  Avery suddenly sat a little straighter. “Fuck.”

  “What?” I looked over my shoulder and saw a girl about to walk into the bistro with another man. “Ex?”

  “Not quite.” He closed his eyes briefly.

  Avery pulled out a ball cap and tucked a few loose strands up into the hat. I kept my head down too, but peeked over his shoulder.

  “I think you may have been spotted.”

  Avery bit his lip, almost as if he were afraid to speak. I saw the girl point to us, then whisper to the man.

  “They’re coming over,” I muttered into my glass.

  Something flickered over Avery’s face, but I couldn’t understand it.

  “Officer Avery, right?” The man’s voice boomed out over the restaurant as he came toward us, while the girl followed close behind.

  “Yes.” Avery wiped away his water ring on the table.

  The man looked back at the girl, who nodded. “You harassed my girl’s brother last night. Do you know who he is?”

  “I’m quite aware who her brother is, who you are, and what you all do.” Avery stood to block me from the man. “And I know that if you don’t turn around and leave this place, I will arrest you for harassing an off duty officer.”

  The man went to take a swing at Avery, but Avery held his arm and slammed him up against the wall. He whispered in the man’s ear. The man’s eyes shot over to me like he was scared. The man suddenly shook his head as Avery let him go.

  “Leave, now.”

  The man took the girl’s arm, and they left without their meal.

  Avery jammed his hat back into his coat pocket, then looked over at me. “Sorry, Emily.” He sat back down, then scrolled through his phone and sent off a quick email.

  “Do I dare ask?” I flicked my head toward the parking lot.

  “The perks of cleaning up the assholes in this town.”

  I pushed my plate away just as the waiter came by to pick it up. I waited until the place stopped staring at us. Avery remained quiet.

  “Does that sort of thing happen often?”

  He shrugged. “Sometimes. That’s why we don’t use social media or hang out in the same town we patrol much. Why do you think Connors likes your place so much?” He smirked, but I saw his eyes shift out the window and watch the couple leave the parking lot. “It’s out of the city, not many people around, but yet it’s close enough to the station. It’s closer than his cabin.”

  I shivered at the thought of the last time I was in a cabin. He suddenly realized what he had said and scrunched up his face.

  “I’m sorry Em.” He gave me a little pat on the arm. “Sometimes I forget you’re not one of the guys.” His eyes softened. “I wish all women were as easy to talk to as you are.”

  I took his compliment and thought it had to do with being raised by my father.

  We spent the next hour wrapped up in conversation about nothing, really. It was actually nice. He helped me shake off my anxiety about meeting Seth’s parents. That was until I got a text from Garrett wondering where I was. At least Riggs didn’t out me.

  The rest of the day flew by, mainly because I was a ball of stress about meeting Seth’s parents behind his back. My lunch with Avery felt like hours ago, and all my self-confidence seemed to go away with
him.

  My stomach was a bundle of nerves. I hoped this wasn’t going to push him away further, but it was a risk I wanted to take in order to meet some of his family.

  At four thirty I changed into my light pink sundress with darker pink heels. It was a very modest dress, and the color complemented my tanned skin. I pulled my wavy hair into a loose ponytail.

  “You look really pretty.” Erin stepped up to my side.

  “Thanks. I’m really nervous.”

  “Yeah, well, dealing with Seth can be a bit nerve-wracking. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have the guts to do what you’re doing.”

  “Thanks.”

  At Erin’s car, I pulled out a bottle of wine and my purse and tossed my school bag in her back seat. We hopped in her car and headed out.

  When we reached the street Nicholas had texted me, we pulled up to the gate and gave them my name. Huge cast iron gates swung open, and we drove down a long paved road. There were four homes along the street. The Connors’ mansion was at the end.

  “Holy shit,” Erin muttered.

  The house was beautiful. Four white pillars stood next to the doorway, black shutters framed the eight massive windows, and two dark chimneys sat on top of the roof on either side.

  “Okay, so now I’m really nervous.” I rubbed my hands over my dress.

  Erin laughed softly. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Details tomorrow. Leave nothing out. You owe me, because you know Seth’s going to kill me for bringing you here.”

  I leaned in and hugged her. “Thank you.”

  I climbed the eight steps up to the double wooden doors. I let out a long breath and pushed the fancy doorbell. The chime seemed to go on forever. Finally I heard the door pull open.

  “Hello again, Emily,” Nicholas greeted me, then moved aside to let me enter.

  “Nicholas.” I stepped in and let him close the door behind me.

  “I have to be honest, I didn’t think you’d show.”

  “To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I should.”