Darkness Follows (15 page)

I welcomed the heat of his jacket. I was quite cold. “You don’t normally drink hard liquor,” I whispered, more to myself than to him.

I felt his shoulders move. “Only when they are in town.”

After ten minutes of silence with us both staring out the window, I felt the need to say something about his family. “I really love your mother and Maddy.” He smiled. “Nicholas sure loves pushing your buttons.”

“That he does,” Seth agreed.

I waited to see if he’d say any more. “Your father scares me, though.”

Seth turned to me so quickly he made me jump. “Why? Did he say something?” His words were laced with an icy undertone.

“No.” I cleared my throat. I thought I might have hit a nerve. “I just meant he gives me an uneasy feeling.”

“Yeah, well, you wondered why I didn’t want you to meet him,” he muttered as he sank back into his seat.

I felt angry suddenly. “If I recall correctly, you didn’t want me to meet
any
of them,” I lashed out as the car stopped in front of my house. “I get it that you would want to bring home your girlfriend but not someone you were just sleeping with.” I shoved a twenty into the tray and slammed it forward to the cabby. I hopped out and dug for my keys just as Garrett opened the door.

“Hey, beaut—” He stopped when he saw my face. “Everything okay?”

“Fantastic,” I muttered as Seth raced up the stairs behind me. “Goodnight.”

I slammed my door closed and locked it with a huff, only to hear my mother call out to see if everything was all right. Her voice was followed up with a giggle to let me know she wasn’t alone. I flopped on my bed, kicked off my heels, and burrowed under the covers. I tucked them under my chin. My door handle rattled, and a quiet knock made my stomach flip.

“Baby, please open the door,” Seth said softy. I closed my eyes and wished for the quiet life that I’d had a few months back. Everything had seemed so easy then—no Lasko, no Jenny, no awkward heartache with Seth. Just me doing my normal routine. My phone chirped, and I reached out and snatched it from the bedside table.

Seth: You weren’t and will
never
be someone I ‘just’ sleep with. I just need some space to figure things out.

Emily: Consider it done.

I buried my head in my pillow to muffle the sounds of my aching heart.

Finally, after I cried until I couldn’t anymore, I rolled on my back and stared at the ceiling.

***

Lasko

I handed the kid a roll of twenties and snatched the bag of blow from his grasp. I had been frustrated all week. I had left my picture of Julia behind at the cabin, and Emily had been so close at the gala I could almost have reached out and touched her.

My anxiety got the better of me, but I knew it would only be a few more days until I’d have her back. Back out of that prick cop’s arms. Fuck, I loathed that guy.

I climbed the stairs to my room. As I pulled out my key, a hand reached out and stopped me. I almost groaned out loud as I took in my neighbor standing in front of me. She wore nothing but a silk nightgown.

“You wanna have some fun tonight?” She held up her finger, showing me a yellow pill with a happy face on it.

I eyed her huge breasts. They could work, I thought. I’d have to scrub myself clean afterward, but my body was so sexually deprived that I didn’t care anymore. It was this or masturbate again. She was used to a pimp, so I knew she’d submit easily.
Fuck it.
I grabbed her finger, swiped the drug, and sucked on it until it dissolved; she did the same. She stepped back and let me come in.

“Shower.” I ordered and pointed toward her bathroom.

She gave me a puzzled look, but did as she was told. I opened my bag of blow, took a small amount on my finger, and sniffed it back. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back as the drug swirled around inside me. Lights flashed different colors as it rushed through my brain. A tingling sensation rushed up and down my spine. Fuck, that shit was good.

I tucked the bag in my pocket and started to remove my clothes. I draped them neatly over a chair and placed my shoes directly underneath.

I looked around the room and noticed a python in a huge tank on the floor. I leaned over to get a better look. It must have been about six feet long. Its powerful body was coiled in a giant circle and its head stared up at me.

“Careful,” the woman warned as she wrapped a towel around her body. “He hasn’t eaten in two days. Tommy feeds him, but he’s been busy, so don’t aggravate him.”

“Where’s his food?”

She pointed to a small cage on the bookshelf on the opposite side of the room. Four white mice jumped around inside.

The woman lay down on the bed and gave her best sexy look. It made my stomach turn, but at least she was a warm hole.

“You have anything to drink?” I asked.

“Rum, on the table.” She pointed, then dropped her head back onto the comforter and let out a moan. I took a huge swig and started to walk toward her. I fingered a pair of handcuffs that were attached to the wall.

“Tommy likes to play rough.” She moved her hands over her skin.

I grabbed one of her wrists and slapped the cuff on. She grinned and went willingly along with me.
Stupid woman
, I thought as I attached her other hand.

“What are you doing?” She never took her eyes off me as I headed over to the bookshelf and pulled out a mouse by its tail. “What do you have, some kind of animal fetish?”

I kneeled on the bed and hovered over her, then I snapped the head off the mouse and watched her eyes flicker in shock. I started to rub the mouse over her neck.

“What the hell!” she shouted. She moved her head back and forth. Her movements were slow. The drug played its part nicely. I shoved a sock in her mouth and gave her a wink. Her eyes were wide with confusion. I shuddered as my fingertips ran along her skin. The feeling shot right to my dick.

I carried the rest of the mice into the bathroom and tucked them away in a cabinet. Then I showered off carefully. I made sure I lathered my hands with her scented soap.

“Now,” I said as I returned and stood at the foot of the bed, “I’ll show you what I’m really into.” I went over to the tank, opened the latch and removed its top and side.

Muffled cries only fueled my excitement. I watched as the snake started to make its descent toward her. I closed my eyes and let the delicious sound of its body sliding across the floor burn its way into my memory. I want it to stay with me forever. I took a seat and watched my fantasy play out with excruciating and wonderful slowness.

***

Seth

I glanced at the time, then tossed my phone on the table. Detective Michaels finally came into the conference room. He had called a quick meeting for 1:00 p.m. Garrett and I had had to haul ass across town just to make it here on time.

“This here is Officer Riley.” Michaels nodded at a man who stood in the doorway. “He is now McPhee’s full-time bodyguard until Lasko is caught.”

“Hey, guys.” Riley took a seat at the table. I glanced at Garrett as he eyed Riley up and down. We were both nervous about an outsider protecting someone so important to us.

“Where are you from?” Garrett asked.

Riley turned to me. “On loan from San Francisco Police Department. Nick says hi.”

This has got to be a joke
.

My jaw tightened as raw, hot anger shot through me. Just what I needed, my little brother involved in this. No doubt he’d filled Riley in on Emily. I finally nodded at Riley, but said nothing. Someone had pulled some strings, and I could just imagine who.

“Who’s Nick?” Davis asked and took a seat next to Garrett.

“His brother,” Riley looked at Seth.

“You have a brother?” Davis’s mouth dropped open. “How did I not know this?”

I turned to Michaels. “Sir, I think we’ve got Emily covered.”

“We can’t keep pulling our guys off the street. Connors, I know this is hard for you, but we could use another set of eyes and ears. Riley’s sole job is to look after Emily. He won’t have to juggle a normal work load along with keeping an eye on her.”

“Fine,” I muttered. Michaels was right.

Michaels rubbed his head, then took a seat. “All right, Connors and O’Brian, you can get Riley set up at the McPhee home and go over all the details of the house and her school.” He picked up his coffee. “I have an interesting piece of news to tell you all. The FBI caught a small break with Hank Wallace.”

I shifted in my seat.

“His wife came forward and admitted her husband used to bring Lasko around when they first started dating. I guess Lasko liked to get drunk, and when he did, he would prattle on about some girl named Julia. He also ragged on about Hank’s wife, saying she should dye her hair blonde and wear blue contacts. Then she would she be pretty enough that he could stand to look at her.” He held up a finger. “But the best part is, she said he would say a sentence to her in German, which really creeped her out.”

“That’s the second time we’ve heard he speaks German.” I sat straighter in my seat; this was interesting.

“What was it?” Garrett asked.

“She found out it meant, ‘Every beautiful woman should be mine; the rest of them should be slaughtered so they can’t reproduce.’”

“Oh.” Davis made an uneasy face.

“Yeah, a pretty twisted mind.” Michaels sighed. “So we have a team looking into this Julia woman and the fact that he has a German connection. Maybe he was born there or lived there. We need to find out.”

“You didn’t know he spoke German until now?” Riley tried to catch up.

“No,” I answered him. “We only know because of Emily. She heard him speak German to his dog.”

“When she was held in the basement?”

“Yeah.” I fought back an eye roll. I knew Riley was going to have a lot of questions about this case.

I stepped out into the hallway and scrolled through my phone contact list until I hit the N’s. I took a deep breath and pressed call.

Three rings later, he answered, his voice low. “You’re welcome.”

My teeth dug into the side of my mouth. “So you did send Riley.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

I heard a door close and a car horn. He must be outside. “Riley is one of our best officers. I heard your sergeant was looking for a new recruit, and we all know
we
can’t work together, so I offered Riley.” I closed my eyes and tried to contain the temper that clawed its way up.

“She’s my friend too, Seth. I don’t want to see her get hurt again. It was never my intent to overstep.”

“Yeah,” I sighed. Nicky was an ass, but I knew he cared for Emily too. If this was what it took to protect her, then fine.

“Are we good?”

I tucked aside my issues with my brother. “Yeah, we’re all right.”

My spine snapped me upright when I heard my father yell at Nicky to get back inside.

“Shit,” Nicholas cursed, “I gotta go. Tell mom I say hi.”

The line went as dead as I wished my father was.

***

Emily

I glanced at my phone as it buzzed at me.

Seth: Outside.

I sighed. I had hoped that since I sneaked out early with Erin this morning, he would leave me alone a little…but nope.

Emily: Refer to my note. I have a way home.

He called my cell, and I sent it to voicemail. A few minutes later, I looked up and saw him next to my table in the library. He picked up my bag and looked at me as if he dared me to challenge him.

“You have got to be kidding me! You don’t get to be so pushy. We’re not dating, remember?”

He flinched. “Come on, Em.” I shook my head as I packed up my books. I felt annoyed the whole time I followed him out to the car.

Garrett smiled. “Glad he found you.”

I glared at him. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he had my phone tapped.” He laughed as I folded my arms. “Glad I’m amusing to you both. Can we go home now?”

“Actually, no,” Seth said in a low voice, which immediately put me on guard. “There’s someone you need to meet.”

“Oh?” I looked from him to Garrett as the car door opened.

A tall man dressed in a blazer and jeans stepped out. He was about Seth’s height and almost as lean, with gelled brown hair. He was a tad flashy for my taste. He pulled his sunglasses off and extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Officer Riley.”

“Umm, hi. Emily.” I shook his hand.
Okay, guys, who is this?

“Em,” Seth shifted closer to me, “Riley has been assigned to keep an eye on you for a while ’til this thing is over.”

I looked at Seth, puzzled. “You guys giving me up?” I feebly joked. I was a little disappointed but tried to make light of it. I had forgotten Michaels had mentioned I was going to get a full-time officer.

Seth smiled slightly. “Never, but we need to hit the streets, and our guys are stretched pretty thin. In the meantime, Riley will be with you.” I looked up at Riley; maybe this would be all right. I hated that the guys were always doing double duty with my situation.

Riley looked over at Garrett for help. This made me smile. He wasn’t sure how to win me over.
Hmm, this could be fun.

“I know that look.” Garrett shook his head. “We’ve already prepped him for your tricks.”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever they’ve told you, it’s all lies.” He laughed as he visibly relaxed. “Where you from?” I asked.

“San Francisco detachment.” My gaze shot to Seth, who fought to keep a glare back. “Yes,” Riley smiled, “I do know Nicholas.”

“I see.” I reached for Seth’s arm. I wanted to comfort him, to somehow let him know I’d be careful with Riley. He smiled down at me, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Ouch.

“Have you met Nicholas?” Riley asked. I felt Seth stiffen, and my hand dropped away from him.

“Yes, I’ve met him a couple times.”

He changed the subject. “You’re famous at our station, you know.”

“Oh?”

“The woman who escaped a murderer’s basement in the middle of the woods. That’s huge,” he said with a grin.

“Yeah, well…” I felt lost for words. I looked up at Seth. I could tell he didn’t like this conversation any more than the last. “I only hope I don’t have to repeat it.”

“Yes, well, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again.” I actually heard Seth clench his teeth. The grinding sound made me shudder. Garrett sensed the tension and opened the door to Seth’s car.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving. Let’s go home.”

Seth offered Riley the front seat, but he declined it, saying he was fine in the back. But Seth didn’t budge, so Riley nodded and took the front seat. He looked back and gave me a small shrug.

Seth got in next to me and put his arm around the back of the seat behind my head. I rolled my eyes in recognition that, once again, it took another male around for Seth to show some intimacy toward me. Riley asked a few questions here and there throughout the drive, but Garrett mainly kept the conversation on course, giving him the rundown of the area.

“So you live with Emily?” Riley turned around in his seat to look at Seth.

“Yes.”

“That must be comforting, Emily, having a roommate who’s a cop.”

“Yes, it is,” I answered, sounding as friendly as I could. I was sure the word ‘roommate’ had stung Seth a little. I didn’t mind; let him stew on that for a bit. I had to stew on enough shit as it was.

“This is home,” Garrett said as we turned up my driveway.

“Wow, this place is beautiful.” Riley took off his glasses. “Nicholas failed to mention this part.”

“That’s because he’s never been here,” Seth said coldly. I bumped my leg with his, and his hand fell on my knee. I took a moment to relish the moment. It’s amazing what one touch from him could do to me. He must have sensed my body language, because he glanced at my face and his eyes darkened right before they dropped to my lips. My legs pressed together; I needed some kind of friction. My chest was tight and my breathing picked up.

“You have your own private beach access?” Riley sounded like he was making mental notes about the property. I snapped out of my fantasy and turned to look out the window.

“Yes. I have two neighbors, an old couple you’ll never see, and Travis. He just moved in a bit ago. It’s just him, no family.”

“Oh?”

“Yes.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s harmless and friendly. There’s no threat there.”

Seth muttered something. I looked up and eyed him, and he gave me a ‘you know what I think of him’ look. “Seth thinks he’s flirting with me, but Seth always thinks people are hitting on me.”

“That’s because they are,” Seth grumbled, which made Garrett laugh.

“What’s the nickname they call you? Oh, right,
Magnet
.” Riley laughed. I had never heard of this nickname, but somehow I thought Garrett was behind it. Seth shifted in his seat and then untied his tie. He seemed seriously uncomfortable.

“We have to think up a story for your mom about why Riley is staying around all the time.” I looked at Seth for that answer. Let him sort it out.

I made dinner while the guys went over paperwork at the table. I heard a buzzing noise and started to move things around on the counter until I finally found the source. I uncovered my mother’s phone. It was Gary. I thought about answering it, but decided not to.

Mom came into the kitchen. “Oh, Mom, meet Riley. You’ll be seeing him around. He’s working with the guys now. He might crash here for a bit.”

“Hello, Riley.” Mom’s eyes lit up. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Mrs. McPhee.”

She held up her finger. “First, it’s
Dr.
McPhee. Second, call me Jenny.”
Oh Lord.

“I thought that was saved for me,” Seth joked and played along with my mother’s shameless flirting. She turned to him.

“It is, but you’re taken, so I have to keep my options open.”

“He’s not, actually,” I grumbled at the lettuce I held under the water.

“Oh well,” my mother laughed. “In that case…”

“Someone kill me now! Mother, Gary just called here.” I handed her cell to her. Seth gave me a look, and I pretended not to notice.

“Oh.” She took the phone and giggled at the voicemail. I rolled my eyes at Garrett and went back to the vegetables.

“Put on an extra piece of chicken, honey, he’s joining us for dinner.” My mother beamed as she strolled out of the kitchen. She muttered things about what she should wear.

I walked out onto the patio with a plate of marinated chicken breast. I opened the already lit barbecue and placed them in a line on the rack.

“It’s killing him, you know.” Garrett appeared at my side.

“What is?”

“Having Michaels bring Riley in.”

“Yeah, well, it gives you all a break from babysitting me.”

“Em.” His eyes looked sad as he bumped my hip with his to move me out of the way, taking over the barbecue.

“No really, this is a good thing. Having a full-time bodyguard makes me feel better.”
I just wish it were the two of them.

“Mmm.” Garrett studied my face. “Well, just know Seth was majorly pissed when he found out Nicholas knew him.”

“Gary is here,” my mother shouted from the kitchen. I was watching Garrett when she hissed at me, “Emily! Get the door.”

I shook my head as I headed inside. God, when was she going back? I opened the front door to find Gary with a bouquet of red roses and a stupid grin.

“Hello, Emily, how are you this evening?”

“Fine, thanks.” I forced a smile as I widened the door and let him in. “We’re all in the kitchen.”

“Great.” He moved past me and stopped when he got to the kitchen door. He ran his hand through his hair and then opened the door to the kitchen. “There’s my pumpkin.” He opened his arms up to my mother. Who the hell was this guy? I thought they’d only been on one date. And now he was nicknaming her…

Seth made the introductions as I crept back into the kitchen and continued to make dinner. I wasn’t in the mood for conversation. Bed was looking more and more appealing as the time ticked by.

Dinner seemed to go over well, other than my mother’s embarrassing show of affection for Gary. She caught me rolling my eyes.

“Oh, please, dear, it wasn’t that long ago that you were head over heels for someone.” She raised an eyebrow at me. Seth picked up his plate and headed to the sink.

“Mother, please,” I warned.

“Here.” Seth handed me my phone. He looked annoyed by something. I saw it was a text from Marc. He had found two possible dates for me at the Wind Gate Spa. Oh…now I knew why he was pissed. My mother giggled at something Gary whispered to her.

“So, Mom, when are you heading back to Africa?”

She gave me a strained look, then glanced at Gary with a grin. “I leave tomorrow, actually.”

Classic Jenny. She would probably have waited until she walked out the door before I knew she was about to leave.

“There was a landslide yesterday. They’re in desperate need of doctors, so I got called out.” She squeezed Gary’s hand and flashed a huge grin—one I had
never
seen before. “Gary will be coming with me.”

Suddenly my father’s watch flashed at me from Gary’s wrist. The rage that boiled in me was uncontrollable. How dare she give this asshole my father’s Rolex? She’d known this man for
maybe
a week!

Seth caught my line of sight and saw what I was staring at. He gently reached out and touched my hand. I pulled it back; I didn’t want any sympathy or comfort. What I wanted was my father’s watch back. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

“And when will you be returning?” I bit out through my anger.

“No sooner than February, but nothing set in stone yet.”

“Don’t worry, kiddo, I’ll take good care of your mother.” It took every ounce of restraint in me not to haul off and hit this man right in the fucking face!

“It’s Emily,” I corrected his nickname. My mother’s pissy look only drove my fight inside. “When’s your flight?” I picked up my plate and tossed it in the sink. It landed with a loud clank and made the entire table jump.

“Emily!” my mother scolded. I shot her a look, and she backed off. “Seven in the morning.”

“Great. See you in February.” I walked out of the kitchen, but not before I heard her gasp.