Darkness Follows

by J. L. Drake

  “Hey.” Riley appeared from the kitchen. “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine, just cold.”

  Seth came out and took a seat next to me while Riley claimed a chair. Garrett shoved a fork full of noodles into his mouth before he flew into the living room and grabbed his ringing phone from the end table.

  “Hello?” he paused. “Oh, hey, man.” He gave us a sad look. “Sure thing. We’re all over here.”

  Seth reached for my glass and smelled it. “I haven’t seen you drink brandy before.”

  I shrugged. “Felt like a good time.”

  “That was Avery. He wants to come over later, if that’s all right with you guys.” Garrett flopped in a chair. “Poor guy sounds terrible.”

  “I would be, too, if my best friend had killed himself.” Riley let out a long breath.

  My stomach turned violently. Something was off. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “He didn’t kill himself!” I shouted. Everyone looked at me.

  “Em, he overdosed on pain medication, and they’ve ruled it a suicide,” Garrett said calmly. “The evidence doesn’t lie.”

  “What if it was planted?” I countered.

  “Who would do that?” Seth asked as he read my face. “What do you know that we don’t?” He shifted to face me better. “Em, what is it?”

  I looked at the three sets of eyes waiting for me to share something. I swallowed hard and struggled to build the courage. I looked at Garrett.

  “Remember at the campground when you found me and Matthews talking outside the restrooms?” He nodded. “Well, he had had a lot to drink, and he said he was struggling with being a good person or not. Both decisions came with big consequences. He basically warned me that my case wasn’t what it seemed.”

  “What does that mean?” Riley leaned forward.

  “I don’t know. Then he came to the hospital to tell me to go into the Witness Protection Program. He mentioned Lasko’s victims. I think he thought I already knew.” I glanced at Seth, who was staring at me wide-eyed as he tried to absorb all of this. “He said me escaping only made it worse.”

  “So he did say more.” Seth shook his head.

  “Wait.” Garrett set his bowl on the table. “Why didn’t you tell us?” My eyes shot to the floor. “Emily?”

  “He told me Lasko wouldn’t stop. He said to give him two weeks before I said anything ’cause you guys are in danger too.” I looked down at my white knuckles. I hadn’t realized I held my glass so tightly. “That was the last time I saw him.”

  I took a sip of my drink, but I barely registered the burn as it slid down my throat. “I don’t expect you guys to believe me, but I feel Lasko found out Matthews spoke to me, and I think he, and maybe someone else, killed him and made it look like a suicide. Matthews knew more than what he told me. He was really onto something.”

  The guys were silent; it took them a few moments to let it all sink in. Garrett was the first to break the tension.

  “I guess if this is true, then it’s a possibility, but I don’t know how we could prove it.” Garrett reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “I’m going to fill Michaels in on this.” He left the room with Riley close behind, muttering something about a call of his own.

  I focused back on the fire, watching as the flame danced along the log, casting different shades of orange.

  “I knew something was up,” Seth finally said.

  I glanced at him. “Why didn’t you ask me? I kept waiting for the grill session.”

  He raised a brow at me. “I’ve known you long enough by now to pick and choose my grill sessions. You don’t keep things from me for very long. I knew it was just a waiting game.”

  I scrunched up my face, feeling slightly annoyed that I was so predictable. He leaned over and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Don’t be frustrated. I love that I know you so well.”

  “Do you?” I shot back. My braver side popped out of nowhere. Seth’s jaw flexed at my sudden outburst.

  “Of course I do.” His voice was quieter, and he traced a finger along my jawbone. “There are many things I love about you.” I closed my eyes and focused on his warm touch. His thumb brushed my bottom lip, which made me part them. He muttered something, but I couldn’t make it out as the blood rushed to my ears. He shifted, and my eyes fluttered open. He was inches from my face as he hovered over me. My heartbeat kicked into high gear, and the rest of me started humming with anticipation. One hand supported his body weight, while the other slid over my cheek and around to my neck.

  “Seth?”

  “I crave you every minute of every day.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I matched his force, not caring that we weren’t alone in the house. My fingers were in his hair, and I fisted a handful and tugged hard. “I miss your lips,” he murmured as he pulled me closer to him. “I wish things were always as easy as kissing you.”

  My mind popped into gear. He was just having a weak moment. This kiss didn’t change anything. We were not one step closer to him finding his way back to me. No! My brain was trying to cut through my other senses. This was a momentary relapse. I pushed my palms against his shoulders and shoved him back, which gave me a moment to regain myself.

  “Please, don’t,” I said firmly.

  “Em, I—” The sound of the front door followed by footsteps made Seth pull away.

  “Oh, sorry.” Avery looked away. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “You didn’t,” I mumbled. “You can’t interrupt something that wasn’t going to happen.”

  “Hey, man.” Seth shot me a look before he moved to his feet. “Come on in.”

  “Thanks.” Avery hung up his jacket. “It’s really pouring out there.” He gave me smile, but I could tell he carried a lot of pain with him. “Thanks for letting me hang out here. I really didn’t feel like being by myself tonight.”

  I went over and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around me. “You’re always welcome here, Avery,” I told him. “Anytime.”

  “That’s sweet. Thanks.”

  “Avery, we’re all glad you’re here. You hungry?” Garrett asked from the kitchen. Avery headed in his direction.

  “Seth.” I turned to face him. I wanted to clear the air.

  “We have a lot to focus on right now. We’ll talk about this later.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek.

  I sighed. I was so over this back-and-forth shit. I grabbed my phone as I headed up to my room. I needed to make some calls of my own.

  ***

  Seth

  I reached for a beer while I mentally kicked myself for kissing Emily like that. I knew it wasn’t fair that I acted like a yo-yo. One minute I couldn’t keep my hands off of her; the next, I pulled away. My heart and my brain played a screwed up game.

  “I can’t get that image out of my head.” Avery sat at the table. “I knew when he didn’t answer his phone or doorbell that something was wrong. When I looked in his bedroom window and saw his legs on the bed, I knew he was there, so I broke the window and climbed in.” Avery’s face grew pale. “I’ve seen enough dead bodies to know what they look like, but when it’s your partner…” He took a moment to clear his throat. “Shit. They said he had been dead for a few days. I didn’t even notice the smell till the paramedics came.”

  “It’s just not right,” Garrett said with a glance in my direction. We had both decided not to mention Emily’s news to Avery. We didn’t need to upset him further.

  “Any word if anything was found?” I asked over my shoulder. I needed more caffeine to keep up with this day.

  I set a container of muffins Emily made in the center of the table. Not that we were hungry, but I still wanted to offer. Avery didn’t look like he’d eaten much.

  “No, just the bottle of pills.” He choked on the last word. He shook his head as if to clear it.

  “That’s odd, though,” Garrett added. “Matthews doesn’t take anything.”

  A look spread over Avery’s face. Something wa
s up.

  “What?” I asked, making sure he knew I caught it.

  Avery rubbed his brow. “I’ve been lending Matthews’s money.” Garrett shot me a look. “He’s been playing at the casino, and he lost a lot of money very quickly. I think he may have gotten himself in trouble, and I think it had gotten out of hand.” He looked at the door. “The last time he asked me for money, I said no.” His face dropped and he bit into his bottom lip. “I-I can’t help but think if I had just given it to him, he wouldn’t be six feet under…he’d be here.” He caught a tear before it hit his cheek. “This is seriously fucked up.”

  ***

  Emily

  I pulled out my red suitcase and started to choose outfits and place them on my bed.

  Swim suit, cover up, bras, panties, jewelry, heels, dresses…my mind tuned in to the TV that was mounted to the wall.

  “We are sending you live to Channel Six, reporter Lillie During,” the news anchor said.

  “Thanks, Steve. The body of a thirty-year-old woman, believed to be a prostitute, was found dead in her motel room last night. Police report she had been dead for at least a week. Let me tell you, folks, this footage is not for the weak-stomached. She was found handcuffed to the bed. It appears she was raped, and then strangled to death by her own python. The snake actually attempted to eat her after—”

  “Oh God!” I quickly changed the channel. “What the hell is wrong with people?”

  I packed and started to zip the case shut when Riley came into my room.

  “I don’t like this, Emily.” He gave me a weary look as I disappeared into the bathroom to grab my makeup bag. I returned to find him on the edge of my desk, looking stressed.

  “You don’t have to like it, Riley. Just be thankful I told you and didn’t just leave.” I knew I was a jerk, but frankly I didn’t care.

  “I don’t feel right not telling them.”

  “I plan to tell them. I’m just not giving them a three day heads up so they can come up with a reason why I can’t go. I’m checked in under a different name, so there won’t be any record of me even being there, and a limo is taking us. I’ve covered all the bases.”

  “Seriously?” Riley gave me an annoyed look. “You don’t actually believe that, do you?”

  “Look.” I pulled my suitcase off my bed with a thud. “I need time away from all of this, and the Wind Gate Spa is the perfect place for me to get a break. I get it’s a bit reckless, but hell, Riley, I really need this.”

  “I know.” He let out long breath. “But reckless doesn’t begin to describe this situation you’re putting us in.”

  I turned to look at him so he knew how serious I was. “I’m going with or without you. Now quit bitchin’ or you won’t get your mud wrap I promised you.”

  He pushed off the desk. “Yeah…you know I’m not doing that, right?”

  “We’ll see.” I gave him a wink.

  ***

  Lasko

  I sat in the corner of the small diner and peeked out from behind my blond, shaggy wig and thick-rimmed glasses. I sipped the nasty, burned coffee and watched the cute waitress serve other tables. She caught my glance and hurried over.

  “More coffee?”

  “Please.” I watched as she leaned over and gave me a peep show of her perky breasts. I reached up and fingered her name tag. “Joney is a pretty name.” She reminded me of Julia, and I instantly grew hard. I had been disappointed with the prostitute from the motel, though it had been a first to screw a girl while she got choked out by a snake. She had been around the block so many times she had barely gripped me. My fist did a better job.

  “Thanks.” She blushed right down to her chest. “You want me to take that?” She pointed to my half-eaten bacon and eggs.

  My phone rang, and I brought it to my ear. I shook my head to the girl. She nodded and walked away from me. I was sure she swayed her hips extra for me. Little dick tease, I thought, then shifted my erection and gave it a tug.

  “Yes.”

  “She’s spending four days at the Wind Gate Spa in Laguna,” the voice said. “This is it, Jimmy. This is the time to take her. You won’t have a better opportunity than this.”

  I could barely contain myself.

  “Take Blake with you. He’ll be your eyes, and he fits in there well. Call me when it’s done.” The line went dead.

  My dick throbbed at the idea of Emily spread out under me, my hands wrapped around her neck where I could feel her life beat under my control.

  Joney flashed me a sexy grin and nodded toward the bathroom. Really? I set my phone to vibrate, tossed a twenty, and headed in her direction.

  I opened the door to find her sitting on the counter, dress hiked up, and completely nude underneath.

  Fuck, yeah.

  ***

  Emily

  I felt like I had stepped through the pearly gates. The spa was truly spectacular. No wonder Marc had suggested it. It had white and gold tile and a huge fountain that must have stood thirty feet tall. Big, cream, lush chairs circled around a glass table that looked down into a tropical fish tank. Two love birds chirped as we approached the front desk.

  “Hello and welcome to the Wind Gate Spa and Resort. Can I help you check in today?” a beautiful Hawaiian woman asked.

  “The reservation is under Erin Barrenger.” Erin had been kind enough to help me set this up. The woman’s eyes lit up when she saw what room I had booked.

  “Of course, Miss Barrenger, here are your keys.” She waved to someone behind us. “Paul will take you to your room.”

  The penthouse was hands down the most beautiful suite I’d ever seen. I even caught Riley’s excitement too. Floor to ceiling windows looked over the ocean, and a balcony wrapped the entire length of the penthouse, giving a 360-degree view of Laguna. I pointed to a door off to the right.

  “That’s your room. I’m here.” I pointed to a room across from his. “What can I do to make you feel less uneasy?” I noticed his discomfort. He dropped his bag on the couch and turned to me.

  “You could tell the guys we’re here, for starters.”

  “I will as soon as I get settled in.” I poured myself a glass of the wine I had brought along for the occasion. I offered him one, but he shook his head. “You want me to book you a massage with the oh-so-pretty Gillian? I heard she has magical hands.”

  “Emily, I’m not here to drink or get massages or mud wraps.” He gave me a look. “I’ll be in the background, blending in and giving you the space you want, but still trying to do my job.”

  I grinned at the sound of a familiar knock at the door. “Well it’s a good thing I brought along someone who does want to do all of that.” Riley gave me a puzzled look. He put one hand on his gun and used the other to open the door.

  “I think I had three orgasms on my way up here. Did you see the arms on Paul?” Pete called out dramatically as he walked into the room and tossed his bag onto the bar top. “Well, bend me over and smack my—” He suddenly noticed Riley off to his left. “Who is this, and where can I buy one?”

  Riley’s expression was worth every penny. Pete’s eyes grew. I could tell he was going to have fun with Riley.

  “Pete, this is Riley, my bodyguard. Riley, this is Pete, one of my oldest friends.”

  “When she says oldest, she means longest.” Pete winked. “If you know what I mean?”

  “Okay, Pete,” I laughed. “Let’s not scare him off yet. I think I may need him when I tell Seth and Garrett I’m here.”

  He stopped and turned toward me, all the fun lost from his face. “Excuse me?”

  I rolled my eyes and held up my phone. “I’m not going to call them ’til after we have dinner. I think I deserve that, don’t you?”

  He thought for a moment. “Of course, love.” He kissed my cheek. “Let’s get ready for dinner.”

  ***

  Seth

  I had been feeling off all day. I glanced at my phone. Riley’s messages were shorter than usual. Normally the
y were quite detailed, but today’s were at most four words long.

  “We got something,” Michaels called out to me and Garrett. We both rushed over to join him in his office.

  “It took some digging, and I probably owe some not-so-pretty favors, but I found out that Jimmy Lasko, at age eleven, lived with an aunt in Belgium where he attended an all-boys boarding school. He was there until he graduated high school, and then he moved around for a few years before he returned to the States. No record of him being married, or of any children either.”

  “Was there nothing before age eleven? What about his family?” I asked, happy they had finally found out something.

  “Nothing. It’s strange, unless the FBI isn’t sharing, but I have some close contacts there. I think I’d get the full 411 on him if they had it.” Michaels thought for a moment. “Given what we’ve learned about Matthews, I think we should bring McPhee in again. I’ve got a bad feeling.”

  “I’ll call Riley and find out where they are.” I felt the same way as Michaels. Something was off.

  “Hi, Connors.” Riley’s voice sounded different.

  “Riley, I need Emily to come to the station.”

  “Umm, I’m afraid I can’t do that at the moment.”

  I shot a look at Garrett just as my stomach hit the floor. “Why not?”

  “Hasn’t she called you yet?”

  My heart squeezed to the point of pain. “No. What has she gone and done now?”

  I nearly lost it when Riley filled me in.

  “I’m sorry, Connors, but I thought if I went against her, she would’ve come without anyone.”

  “No, you did the right thing.” I raked my hand through my hair.

  “She promised me she’d call you when she got here, but…”

  Michaels got my attention and motioned for me to hang up.

  “Riley, I’ll call you right back.”

  Michaels took a moment as he thought something over. “This might actually be a good thing. No doubt Lasko knows she’s there. I’m sure he thinks this is the best place to take her, a public place with lots of rooms, and where she could slip off the radar fairly easy.” I flexed my hands into fists. “We’ll get a team there, blend in and watch her, see if Lasko comes out of the woodwork. Connors, get Riley to have McPhee call you. Here’s what you’re going to say…”