LAINIE PEEKED OUT the curtain to the parking lot outside for the fifth time since her mother left. Yes, she was definitely feeling paranoid, but she couldn’t shake it. She also didn’t like it. This wasn’t her. She didn’t cower or hide. If she could go toe-to-toe with her father, she could definitely face off with the likes of Miles Hemingway. She took a deep breath as she stepped away from the window, brushing her dark bangs out of her eyes. She refused to remain cooped up inside Josh’s apartment on her day off like some timid school girl. No, it was time to shower and go out into the world again and enjoy her last few days in Draven Falls.
Her cell phone rang from the table behind her, making her scream and jump at the sudden noise. She shook her head as she let out a disgusted breath. So much for my bravado. Making her way to the phone, she noticed her brother’s name across the screen. It was only then that she realized she hadn’t spoken to Dimitri since Thursday when he told her about his silly idea of having a bonfire in the middle of summer down in Florida. Picking up the phone, she swiped the answer button and placed the call on speaker. “Did they haul you away for your craziness? You’re calling to tell me to come bail you out of the loony bin, right?”
“That would have actually been preferable,” Dimitri said, and Lainie could hear the depression in his voice.
She plopped down on the sofa, her heart already hurting for her brother, and she had yet to hear why. “What happened?”
“What didn’t happen?” He sighed into the phone. “Friday night’s bonfire turned into a major fight as Bane showed up to put the new alpha down. Josh was with me, and Neal Porter, who they sent me here to replace. Bane, of course, had his entire pack.”
“Oh, shit,” Lainie said. “I told you to wait for me. How bad did you get hurt?” She knew her brother could hold his own in a fair fight, but it didn’t seem like that’s what he got.
“I’m fine. So is Josh. The residents showed up to have our backs, and when the fighting started, they all jumped in to help.” She heard him take another deep breath. “Neal and Tina, however, didn’t make it. Bane killed them both right in front of everyone without remorse or even hesitation. He said they deserved it for their treachery. We buried them this weekend at a graveyard here.”
“Holy shit, Dimitri,” she hissed into the phone. “That’s totally fucked up. Are you all right?” Her heart ached even more as Lainie wished she was there to help ease her brother’s agony. He had never faced something like a dead body before, nevertheless seeing someone killed. “Are you sure you want to stay down there? Perhaps, we should have Talquin send someone else.” Dimitri felt things more than most, being the sensitive one of the Everest siblings. She knew he was struggling with the deaths, probably blaming himself.
“No, I’m not giving up,” Dimitri said, and Lainie could hear the grim determination in his voice. “Friday night only proved how much these people need someone here. I’m not running away just because it’s dangerous.”
“What about the local law enforcement there?” she asked. “Did they get involved?”
“No,” her brother told her. “This was a shifter fight. We kept it in-house.”
“Do you need me to come down there early? I can leave today and be there by tonight,” she said, already packing in her head. “The two weeks is really just a nice formality.”
She heard Dimitri give a soft laugh. “Thanks, but that’s not why I called. Actually, Josh is on his way up to help you move your ass down here. I’d come do it, but with everything that happened this weekend, I don’t think it’s wise for me to leave Bull Creek just yet. As I found out the other night, I’m not really alone.”
“You’ll be alone if Josh comes up here,” she pointed out. “Are you sure that’s wise right now? I can always move myself. Hell, I can leave stuff here and come back to get it later.”
“No, I don’t want you to have to deal with Dad any more than necessary. Besides, Josh can have your back against our father if needed. I’ll be fine until you get here.”
She didn’t like it, but she wouldn’t go against his wishes in this. Truth was, she was eager to leave Draven Falls and be away from anything that had to do with Miles Hemingway and her father’s asinine plan for her. “All right,” she said, drawing the words out as if still unsure it was the best decision. “It’s only five more days. Just be careful and watch your back.”
“And you watch yours,” he told her. “I’ll see you Saturday. And be nice to Josh. He’s had it just as rough as me, lately.”
“Well, that takes the fun out of things,” she said with a laugh. “See you soon, brother dear.”
She hung up the phone, deciding it was definitely time for a shower and something to eat. She would not waste her last day off in town just because Miles gave her the creeps. She wouldn’t surrender her power to anyone, especially a slimeball like him. How on earth did her father ever think she would be all right marrying Miles?
She slipped out of her clothes as she entered the master bathroom, her mind shifting to Josh and what her father took from her when he interfered with their relationship. Turning on the water, she ran her hand under it until she felt the water warm up and then stepped inside, allowing the spray to beat her flesh. Running her hands over her body, she kept her mind on Josh, remembering the way his hands felt on her flesh, his fingers plunging into her passion, his mouth on her nipples. God, she remembered. She grinned as she ran her thumb over her swollen nipple, tweaking it and sending shivers throughout her body. Yes, she definitely remembered it.
With the shower over, she turned the water off and reached for a towel. Josh would be there soon to help her pack, but there was nothing to say they couldn’t go down memory lane. If he got there before her time at the sheriff’s department was up, then perhaps they could lock themselves inside the apartment for a little—okay, a lot—of alone time. She couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate leaving Draven Falls behind.
Slipping into some jeans and an old baseball Jersey, she decided The Enchanted Spoon downtown for dinner sounded better than calling for pizza. She grabbed her purse and keys and headed for the front of the cabin, only to stop when she noticed a piece of paper under the front door. She stood there, staring at it, unable to move at first. Had there been a knock? She hadn’t heard one, but then again with the water, her moans… She could see the writing on the paper, but couldn’t make out what it said, not from where she stood. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Get a grip. It’s just a piece of paper.
Opening her eyes, she moved to pick up the note, her hand trembling slightly. So much for my pep talk.
The note was a repeat of words she couldn’t get out of her mind. You will be mine. Your father promised. Her hands trembled even more. She crumbled the paper into a wad and threw it against the wall, anger coursing through her body. That fucking bastard!
She took another deep breath as she reached for the doorknob. What if he waited outside the door for her? She slipped her other hand into her purse, her hand on her pepper spray just in case. However, no one waited outside the door or even in the parking lot that she could tell. Miles must have slid the note under the door and left. He’s just messing with my head. She sighed as she walked toward her car. She knew she needed to get him out of her mind, but he wasn’t making it easy by showing up at her apartment and now leaving a note under her door. He was persistent; she’d give him that.
She slid into her car and headed downtown. Saturday would not arrive fast enough.