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Devan
“Julie’s here.” I tell Matt, setting my phone down as I stand and walk through the patio doors to meet her. We have been sitting at the patio table out back for the last thirty minutes. The weather is perfect this evening, as I knew it would be. I have steaks marinating in the refrigerator that I was waiting to put on the grill until Julie arrived so they would be hot and fresh. The potatoes have already been cooking for a while so they should be ready to come off the grill before I throw the steaks on.
I hear Julie’s key enter the lock on the front door and smile to myself. That was another first for me. I have never wanted to give anyone a key to my home before, but I knew it was time for her to have it. She already holds the key to my heart, which is what made the keychain I gave to her perfect. I’ve been having her leave clothes here each time she has stayed over. If I had my way, I would move her out of her apartment, and she would already be staying here full time. I miss her every time she leaves from here and find myself looking forward to having her in my home, in my bed.
My heart seizes as she pushes the door open and I get my first glimpse of her. She came straight from work tonight, not wanting to waste any precious time that we could be spending together. Her hair is in a loose ponytail with the sides already starting to fall out around her eyes. She sets her purse and laptop bag down on the entry table before looking up to see me standing a few feet away from her, my arms crossed and leaning against the wall. She smiles at me and I push off the wall and take the two steps to close the distance before grabbing her around the waist and pulling her against me. “Hello, angel.” I say before my mouth covers hers. She wastes no time opening up for me and wrapping her arms around my neck, standing on her tiptoes to meet me in the middle. I reluctantly pull away from her, “I have someone I want you to meet.” I grab her hand, entwining our fingers together and leading her to the patio door and outside.
Matt stands as we walk out to the patio table. “Matt, this is Julie. Julie, this is my best friend, Matt.”
Julie holds her hand out, “Nice to meet you, Matt.”
Matt looks down at Julie’s hand and a devilish smile spreads across his face before he walks around the table and wraps his arms around her waist in a friendly hug. “I’ve heard so much about you. Devan talks about you so much I feel like I know you already.” He winks at me over her head as he squeezes her tightly and I have to suppress a growl in my throat. I know he is just picking on me. In the years that we’ve been friends, I have never introduced him to a woman that I was dating.
“Really, Matt?” I say, trying to keep a scowl on my face but failing and laughing instead.
“Wow.” Julie says, backing away from Matt and smoothing her shirt over her waist. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Sorry. I couldn’t resist the temptation to make Devan jealous.” He laughs heartily before sitting back down and picking up his beer.
“I’ll remember that when you introduce me to your sprite.” I lift an eyebrow at him and wait for the retort. He just narrows his eyes at me and takes another sip of his beer. “Would you like something to drink, angel?”
“I’d love a glass of wine if you have it.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back.” I go back into the house and into the kitchen. I grab a platter for the potatoes, the steaks out of the refrigerator and pour Julie a glass of red wine from the bottle that I started chilling earlier today. Walking back out, I see they are already settling into conversation and I smile to myself. I place the glass of wine in front of her, bending over the kiss the top of her head before continuing on to the grill. I do not want to interrupt their conversation since it sounds like they are getting to know each other. He has just asked her about her work, and she is telling him a little about the story she is working on with the robberies.
He looks over at me, his eyebrows narrowed in confusion. I had not mentioned anything to him about the story she is working on. Not specifically anyway. I had just mentioned to him that she was working on something that was not for work and that Marie was not involved in it. I set the platter of baked potatoes on the patio table, turn the heat down a few degrees and place the steaks on the grill. When I turn back to the table, Matt’s expression has changed to a look of surprise and I realize that I have missed something that she said.
“Wait.” Matt says suddenly, interrupting her speaking. “So, your source doesn’t want to meet because he’s being watched and you’re getting threatening notes on your car?”
I gasp loudly and stand still behind my chair, beer raised halfway to my mouth as I turn my gaze suddenly to Julie. “Julie, what are you talking about? What notes?”
“Oh my God, I completely forgot to mention them to you earlier. There was a note on my car last night when I left the office to head home. And another one on my car this morning before I left the apartment for work. I was so tied up in emails and phone calls about these surveillance systems that I completely forgot to mention them.”
“I wish you would have told me.” I practically growl out through my teeth. I stop when I see the look on Julie’s face. Her eyebrows are almost lost in her hairline, her mouth slightly open and she has her hand on her chest. “I’m sorry, angel. I’m not angry at you and I did not mean for it to sound that way. Where are the notes now?” My pulse is racing, but I am not angry at her. I just do not understand how she could casually forget about something like this.
“They’re on the passenger seat in my car.” She says softly almost as if she were afraid to speak.
I step around the table, closer to her and place my palm against her cheek in a soft caress hoping to reassure her that I am not angry. “Wait here, I’ll go grab them.” I bend down and kiss her cheek before I walk out of the house, grabbing her car keys on my way out the door. Both notes are sitting on her passenger seat right where she said they would be. I grab the notes, close and lock the door, and go back inside before I even unfold or read them. Once I do, my heart plummets into my stomach. “Julie, these are threats. Did you call the police?” Matt reaches his hand out and I hand the notes to him to read as well. I stand to flip the steaks while he reads the notes.
“No, Devan. I didn’t call the police. I didn’t think anything of them. Reporters gets notes like that all the time, but nothing ever comes of them. They’re probably just some punk kid playing a prank for all I know.”
“I’m with Devan on this one.” Matt says, setting the notes down on the table and picking up his beer. “You need to watch your back, Julie. If your source thinks he’s being watched, and you’re getting notes like this on your car. Not to mention one of them was while it was parked at your apartment which means they know where you live. I don’t know. I don’t like it.”
My skin is crawling. He has a point. The second note was left on her car while it was parked at her apartment. I never mentioned to her about the guy outside of the pawn shop that I suspected was watching her the other day. Or the one that I found in the photographs I had taken of her at Runyon Canyon. Honestly, I had not thought much of either of them before now, they could have been looking at any number of things. But now that I knew that she had received threats, it was starting to come together, and I was starting to be worried. “So, what else has been going on? Have you gotten any threats by phone or has anyone said anything to you in person?”
“No, just those notes. But I did get an email from my source saying he was going to be lying low for a while because he felt like he was being watched.” She sat back in her chair at the patio table and took a big sip of her wine before placing the glass back on the table and her hands in her lap. “You don’t think these could have anything to do with the story that I’m working on do you?”
“I don’t really know, angel. But I’m not ready to overlook that possibility. I think you should call the police. Maybe let your boss know, or security in the building at the very least. I don’t want you doing anything that could put you in harm’s way.”
“Don’t worry, Devan. I am being careful. But I’ll let the security team at the office building know and see if they can keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”
“Thank you, angel. I just don’t want to think of anything happening to you.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I promise nothing is going to happen. I am being careful, and I will be sure to pay more attention to my surroundings and people around me. Would you feel better if I texted you my whereabouts during the day or when I get home at night?”
That was certainly something to think about and, I admit, it would make me feel better. But I do not want her to think I am being an overbearing asshole. “You don’t have to tell me every move you make, angel. But I would love it if you at least let me know when you get home. I still think you should go to the police with these notes though. It would make me feel so much better.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good. Now give me a minute. It’s almost time to eat.” I walk into the kitchen and gather a tray with potato toppings, a bowl of salad that I prepared earlier and salad toppings. I reach into the drawer and grab forks and steak knives, then grab the plates out of the top cabinet. I know there are still quite a few beers outside so with my free hand I grab the bottle of wine out of the refrigerator. I head back outside and set everything on the patio table then open the grill, turn off the flame, and plate the steaks. They are perfect.
We spend the rest of dinner talking about anything but the notes on Julie’s car. We have all finally relaxed into pleasant conversation and there is no reason to bring it back up right now. Julie tells Matt about the first time she saw him at the club dancing with Marie. She shares her first impression of him and how she thought he was a biker, which gets a good laugh out of him. He explains to her why he calls Marie a sprite. Mainly having to do with her pink hair which has a fairy-like appearance. According to him, a sprite is more ethereal than a fairy in that it is small, delicate, and graceful. I had not realized that he was so versed in mythology.
Julie promised Matt that if he were patient that Marie would come around. She had admitted to her at work that she really liked spending time with Matt and getting to know him but that there were some personal things she was dealing with. She believes that may be the reason that he is getting mixed signals. He promises not to give up on her, stating that he had planned on trying to spend this weekend with her if she would allow it.
After dinner, we all chipped in to clear the dishes. I start the dishwasher and put the leftovers into the refrigerator. Matt announces that he is going to leave, and Julie gives him a hug, similar to the one he greeted her with but not as tight. “I’ll walk you out.” I say as I walk around the breakfast bar.
“She’s really great, Devan.” Matt says as I pull the front door open.
“I know.” I respond. “I think she’s it for me.”
“You think?” He smiles and lifts a brow.
“No. I know she is. I just haven’t told her yet.”
He puts a hand on my shoulder then walks out the door, turning back before continuing to his truck. “Don’t let that one go, man. But keep an eye on her. I don’t like those notes and I think she needs to talk to the police.”
“Yeah. I know. I’ll talk to her more about it over the weekend.”
“Have a good night.”
“Good luck with your sprite.”
“Thank you.” He gets into his truck and backs out of the driveway.
I walk back to the kitchen where Julie is sitting at the breakfast bar finishing a glass of wine. “Angel.” I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, planting kisses along the back of her neck.
She turns on her stool and looks me in the eye, placing a hand on my cheek. “I wasn’t listening to your conversation, but I did hear a few things.” She starts. “I don’t know if I want to get the policy involved yet. But I will talk to security at work Monday. For now, I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” She gave me a mischievous grin.
“Oh? And what would you prefer to talk about?” I was grinning right back at her. I know where this conversation is leading but I still enjoy playing coy with her.
She finished her glass of wine and stood, setting the glass back on the table. Still looking me in the eye, she walks around the table and approaches me with a seductive sway to her step. Placing her hands on my shoulders, she lowers herself to my lap and moves her face to within an inch of my own. “I was thinking we didn’t need to talk about anything.” Her lips crash into mine and my arms instinctively go around her waist.
“I think I can agree to that.” With one more quick kiss, she stands and turns her back to me. She starts to sashay across the dining room and pauses to look over her shoulder as she removes her shirt and drops it to the floor. Reaching for the button of her jeans, she starts walking again and I rise to follow her down the hall toward the bedroom, stripping out of my clothing on the way as well. I know exactly what she has in mind and I am all too eager to comply.
After disposing of the condom, I turn to my side and pull Julie into me, her back to my chest. I wrap my arms around her and nuzzle my nose into the back of her neck. I feel her shiver in my arms as goosebumps break out across her skin. “I want you to know something, angel.”
She turns in my arms, so we were facing each other, and I plant a kiss to her mouth. “What is it, Devan?”
I move one of my hands to her cheek and run my thumb along her bottom lip as I look into her eyes. “I love you, Julie. I know we haven’t been together long, and it might seem fast. But I have never felt this way about anyone before and I’m not ready for it to end. Ever. I know it’s right and I want to be with you forever. I worry about you and I do not feel comfortable about these threats that you’ve received. Don’t hate me for being worried or blame me for being protective but you are mine. And I will protect what’s mine. I love you.” I know it to be true deep in my soul. I can feel it in the marrow of my bones. I would take on the devil himself to keep her safe.
She continues to look me in the eye not showing any hint of fear or disgust. I notice a tear escape the corner of one of her eyes and move my thumb up to catch it. Then she smiles so big it lights my entire universe and melts my heart right along with it. “I love you too, Devan. I was so scared that I was the only one that felt that way and I am so happy to know you feel it too. I was not looking for anything, I wanted to focus on my career. But then you showed up and I couldn’t help it. I fell hard for you and my feelings have grown more and more every day since I met you. I do love you and I thank you for being protective of me. I always feel so safe right here in your arms, but I want you to know something too. I am yours and I want to be yours. But Devan, you’re mine too.”
“Oh, thank Christ.” I lean in and kiss her then. It was a deep possessive kiss. Nothing in the world mattered at this moment except for me and Julie. I no longer thought about the threatening notes that she had received, or the danger that she may be putting herself in by chasing this story. The only thing I was currently thinking about as my tongue danced with hers, was her, and the fact that she loves me. “Say it again, angel.”
“I love you.” She says, placing a hand on my cheek.
“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of hearing you say that.”
I continue to hold her as she falls asleep, but I have a feeling I will not be getting any sleep tonight. I am too concerned about those notes and can’t get my mind to shut off. Between the notes Julie had received and the fact that her source is afraid of being watched, I am starting to wonder if someone is following her too. How else would they know where her car is all the time to be able to leave notes on it?
I know she does not think the notes are connected to this story, but what else can they be? She still refuses to take them to the police.