“I wouldn’t know anything about that. I was an only child.”
“I don’t know if that’s a blessing or a curse. I guess it all depends on who you ask.” He paused at the front door and shifted to face me. “Look, I know I said a bunch of shit I probably shouldn’t have, but I think you’re a decent guy—especially for an ex-genie. I don’t think telling you what I did will come back to bite me in the ass.”
“No. It won’t,” I said as I held his stare. There was no reason for him to worry. I didn’t plan on going into the Venom selling business, nor did I care to go against Lorenzo in any way. “You have my word.”
“I figured as much,” Sterling said before he opened the front door and we stepped inside.
After we split Greed’s money, Sterling showed me the stash of toiletries Lorenzo always kept in the bathrooms of his guest rooms.
“Not that you can’t buy your own now that you’re loaded.” He nudged me with his elbow. “But, every penny counts, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“All right, so um, I guess this is goodbye. Thanks, for everything,” Sterling said. “If you ever need me, you know where I’m at.”
“Thanks. Well, I should head to the garage. Hawk is waiting for me.”
“Yeah. Of course. You don’t want to keep that guy waiting, especially not once he’s got Bessie up and running. That plane might look like a junker, but she flies smooth and Hawk loves her.”
“As long as she gets me from point A to point B without dying, I don’t care what she looks like.”
“She will. Trust me. And, Hawk is a damn good pilot, even though he drinks like a fish.”
We exited the guest bedroom and headed back through the house. Giselle was on the back porch when we stepped outside.
“Good luck with life, Ryan, and don’t worry… you’ll find her. Your souls call for one another too loudly for you not to,” she said with a knowing grin.
Satisfaction slithered through me at her words. I knew she was right. I would find Alayna no matter how long it took. We were destined for each other.
Bessie was pulled out of the garage when I made it back. Hawk was in the pilot seat, lovingly stroking her dash. His mouth was moving, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying. I was sure it was words of love for her though. He was definitely an odd character, but if both Sterling and Lorenzo trusted him, then I could too.
“There you are. Finally,” Hawk shouted out the open door over the engine. “Get in. Times a tickin’.”
I climbed into the passenger side of the plane, taking note of how old Bessie actually was, but also of how well taken care of as well. It was clear Hawk loved this plane. It was made even more evident when I slammed her door harder than I should have and he flashed me an evil look.
“She might look old, but she doesn’t act like it so have some damn respect,” he growled.
I situated myself in the seat, putting my bag at my feet, and fastened my seat belt. “Sorry.”
“Outer Banks still the place you wanna go?” Hawk asked. He flipped switches, pressed buttons, and Bessie lurched forward.
“Yeah.”
“We should be there in a few hours.”
I nodded, even though I couldn’t care less how long it took to get there. All I cared about was that I made it. “Okay.”
Hawk didn’t speak again. Instead, he reached for the flask in the pocket of his shirt, unscrewed the cap, and took another long swig from it like earlier. Same as before, he held it out to me when he was done.
“Care for a swig now? It’s not so early anymore.” He flashed me a wicked grin. “Go on. Just one.” He wiggled the bottle in my face.
Against my better judgment, I grabbed the flask and tipped it back. It burned. I coughed like it was my first taste of alcohol ever. My eyes watered, and I knew my face had to be as red as a tomato. Hawk laughed.
“What is that?” I glared at him. “It tastes like gasoline.”
That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but not much.
“Homemade moonshine, boy. Made it myself. Stout as a motherfucker, but it sure does the trick.” He took the flask from me and tipped it for another swig. The plane lifted into the air and my stomach somersaulted.
It probably wasn’t the brightest idea to get in a plane with a pilot who’d been drinking moonshine all morning. Now was a little late to change my mind, though. I was committed.
The flight from Sin City to the Outer Banks was smoother than I thought it would be. Hawk was a damn good pilot, even while drunk. He’d only scared me once. It was shortly after takeoff when he did a loop in the air, catching me off guard. It had loosened me up and had me laughing, which I thought was Hawk’s intention.
When we landed, it was on a runway that ran along the ocean. A beautiful gray house on stilts stood nearby.
“I’m assuming you’re familiar with this area,” I said as Hawk came to a steady landing.
“Mr. Angelo travels all over. This is one of his clients. They gave us permission earlier to land at this residence.” Hawk nodded to the gray house. “You have permission to stay in the house if you want. Until you can find yourself something of your own.”
Was the person who owned this place one of the phone calls Lorenzo had to make earlier?
“No. I’m good. I’ll get a hotel room or something. He’s already done so much for me,” I said.
“He knew you’d say that, which is why he got you a room at the Seashell Inn. Don’t worry, he only reserved it. He didn’t pay. Figured you’d protest. I can see he was right. Damn, he’s a good judge of character.”
I almost snorted. He was good at reading me. “Tell him I said thank you. Do you know how I get to the inn from here?”
“Sure do. Walk to the street right there, cut a right, and then a left at the stop sign. Keep walking straight down the strip, you’ll see the sign for it. It’s a classy place, but something tells me you can afford it.” His eyes dipped to the bag at my feet. “Tips are appreciated, by the way.”
I laughed, and then reached for the bag at my feet. Once I’d unzipped it, I grabbed out a few hundred and handed it to him. “Thanks,” I said before I popped my door open.
“Much obliged.” Hawk tucked the money in his boot before pulling out his flask for another sip. That thing had to be nearly empty by now. “Have a good life, kid. Enjoy your second chance.”
I nodded, flashed him a smile, and then climbed out. The salty ocean air filled my nostrils. It was something I hadn’t smelled in far too long.
“Take it easy,” I said before closing the door to Bessie lighter than I had the first time. Hawk saluted me and then the plane inched forward, preparing to take off again.
I got out of the way, my feet sinking into the sand as I jogged to the road he’d mentioned. Before I reached it, Bessie was in the sky. I stared after them. My stomach growled, and I wished I’d taken Lorenzo up on having Vinchenzo make me lunch to-go.
I spun back around to face the new town I was in and started walking. The second I got to the strip, the scent of food found its way to my nose, and I followed it to a little seafood joint on the corner.
The place was a hole in the wall, but there was a line out the door. A good indicator that their food was worth waiting for. While standing in line, I spotted a display rack filled with brochures for the area. There was also a map. I picked one up. If Alayna was here, there was a good chance she lived on one of the streets closest to the beach. My pulse quickened. I couldn’t wait to find her.
Chapter Ten
The Seashell Inn was as classy as I would’ve expected from Lorenzo. Even though I didn’t have to worry about the cost, I still worried over how much my bill would be when I left. There was no telling how long it would take me to find Alayna. Even when I did, she might not want me to move in with her.
I ran a hand through my hair, realizing I hadn’t thought anything about this situation through.
While I knew the chemistry between us had been real
, I didn’t know for sure it wasn’t one-sided. Had she meant her final wish?
And my final wish would be for us to spend more nights like this together.
My throat closed up as doubt spread through me. I chewed the inside of my cheek and continued down the wooden pathway behind the inn that led to the ocean. There was a breeze, but I enjoyed the feel of it. I slipped off my shoes when I made it to the sand. It was cool beneath my bare feet. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been to the beach.
No, wait. I could.
I’d been twelve. We’d taken a horrible family vacation to the beach that summer. My mother nearly overdosed on wine mixed with too many Xanax. The rest of our vacation was spent visiting her in the hospital while I was told she was sick as though it were something that could be fixed during the length of her stay.
It wasn’t.
I made my way to the water. It was cold as it lapped against my bare feet, but I didn’t care. My gaze drifted to the endless dark ocean before me and I inhaled a deep breath.
This was freedom.
I crammed my free hand into my pocket, and my eyes traveled up to the moon. It was large, but no longer full. Still, it was beautiful. Thoughts of Alayna floated through my mind.
Was I insane to be here, searching for her?
We’d only met once, and although our chemistry had been off the charts explosive, I still don’t know what she’d say once I found her. I didn’t know if she’d truly meant her wish. How would she react when she learned I was now human?
Shit, I hadn’t thought of that.
Now that I was human, I wouldn’t be able to resist the pull of her siren side like I had while still a genie. She would lure me in, and I’d probably worship her. My gaze lingered on the moon. I thought back to The Monster Ball and how I’d felt seeing her for the first time. She was breathtaking. I swore I could still feel her skin against mine if I focused on the memories of the night hard enough. I could see her beautiful smile. Her twinkling eyes. The way her green dress had hugged her features just right. Hell, I could even smell her soft lilac scent still.
I inhaled, and there it was. My eyes closed as I allowed myself to become lost even more in the memories. I could almost feel the weight of her legs wrapped around me, the sensation of our mouths fused together. Taste her tongue. Hear her whispering my name.
“Ryan.” Her soft voice floated through my head.
I smiled. “Alayna,” I whispered into the ocean wind. “I will find you.”
“You already have.”
I snapped my eyes open. That was no memory. That was real. When I spun around, there she was. Her hair whipped around her face as she stared at me. She tucked a few strands behind her ear and smiled. It was as beautiful as I’d remembered, but I couldn’t enjoy the sight of it.
My attention was focused on the bruise splotched across her left cheek.
“How are you here?” she asked. “How did you even find me? Am I dreaming?”
Was I? Was this a trick? How could it have taken such little effort to find her? Wait. Did it matter? Hell no.
My heart thundered as I erased the distance between us. When I reached her, I pulled her close and captured her mouth with mine.
She was real. This was real. We were together again.
My lips were met with no resistance. Alayna was just as hungry for me as I was for her. She fisted my shirt and moaned into my mouth. My tounge met with hers and I felt her shiver at the contact. Her body arched closer to mine and I dug my fingertips into her hips. She winced before pulling away.
Had I hurt her?
“Are you okay?” I asked, my brows pulling together. The bruise on her cheek was fresh. I could see it now. It was red and angry with undertones of purple and blue. Were there other bruises on her too? Had I touched one?
“I’m fine.” She flashed me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I don’t want to get too wrapped up in this without knowing what the heck is going on. How are you here? How did you find me?” Her words were cold, but I sensed that wasn’t her intention. Her eyes said as much.
I reached to cup her face, ignoring her questions, but she dodged my touch. “You don’t look fine,” I said, not willing to beat around the bush.
Her shoulders sagged under the weight of my words and she averted her eyes to the rippling ocean waters behind me. They glistened with tears that never fell.
“I’m fine. This,” she sniffled and then motioned to her face. “Is nothing.”
It wasn’t nothing. Not by a long shot.
“Did your demon do this?” My hands formed fists at my sides. I wanted to kill him.
She folded her arms over her chest, looking as though it was the only way to hold herself together. I remembered what the bartender with dreads at The Monster Ball said about her then—that she deserved more than the cards she’d been dealt in life and that her story was sad.
Had this been what he’d meant? Did Alayna confide in him her water demon was abusive? That he hit her?
Alayna’s gaze shifted to lock with mine. Tension radiated off her, and her eyes pleaded with me to drop it. “I don’t want to talk about it. What I want to know is how you’re here. How did you escape your Sin Demon? Won’t he be searching for you?”
Fear made her eyes grow wide. I knew it was because she was scared—scared of what would happen to me when my demon found me.
He wouldn’t find me though. He was gone.
I smoothed my hands along the length of her arms, needing to feel her. To know this was real, and that she was okay. “I’m not worried about my Sin Demon. He won’t find me. What I am worried about is you.”
“Don’t worry about me.” She flashed me a half-hearted smile. Her arms wrapped around my waist as she pulled me closer. “I told you, I’m fine. Now tell me, how did you get here? How did you find me?” She’d lightened her tone, but I knew it was all for show.
She was pretending, and she was damn good at it. It made me wonder how long she’d been pretending she was fine for.
“On a plane. Flown by a guy named Hawk. And, I had no idea you’d be walking along this section of beach tonight but—” I paused and glanced up at the moon. “It doesn’t surprise me. The moon seems to be our lucky charm.”
“You feel different.” Her brows pinched together as though she were searching for an answer why. When her eyes widened a heartbeat later, I knew it was because she’d figured it out. “You’re human.”
“I am.” I nodded.
She untangled herself from me, taking a step back. “How is it possible you’re no longer a genie? Just the other night you were. At the ball. I don’t understand.” She smoothed her fingertips against her forehead. “Is this even real?” Doubt shifted through her beautiful eyes, and I knew exactly how she felt.
I took a step toward her. My hands gripped her hips, lighter than before, and pulled her close. She didn’t whence or pull away this time. Instead, she leaned into my touch, into me.
“Yes, this is real,” I insisted, trying not to think about the bruises that might cover her hips from whatever that asshole demon of hers had done. “I’m real. I’m here and I’m human.”
I bent to brush my lips against hers again. My kiss was featherlight. I didn’t want to hurt her. Her lilac scent floated to my nose as she fisted my shirt, and I intensified our kiss, moving to cup her face between the palms of my hands being mindful of her bruises. She leaned into me, melting against my body. The feel of her pressing against me, her lips on mine, her scent floating around us—I was pulled back to our night together at The Monster Ball.
“Wait.” She broke our kiss. “I’m glad you’re here. I really am. I just don’t understand how.”
I ran a hand through my hair and flashed her a crooked grin. “You might not even believe me if I told you.”
“Try me,” she insisted. She grabbed my hand and locked her fingers through mine as we started to walk along the beach together. The bruised side of her face was to the ocean and I co
uldn’t help but feel glad. The sight of it made my blood boil.
As we walked, I told her everything. I left nothing out. Not the postcard in my pocket that magically appeared for this place or the message on it. I told her all about Trenton and what happened with Greed. About Sterling. Lorenzo. Giselle. My tattoo. I even mentioned the bag of money back at the inn.
“Runaway with me,” I insisted once I was finished with the entire story. Her eyes brightened, but only for a brief moment. Disappointment crawled through me. What was holding her back? “I have enough money that we could both comfortably disappear. We can go anywhere you want. Anywhere.”
Alayna blinked. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, and my heart stalled in my chest as I waited for her response. It didn’t come as quickly as I would’ve liked.
“I want to, but I can’t. You know as well as I do that my water demon would come for me. I have an invisible shackle placed around my ankle that ties me to this place, to him.” Her eyes watered, and my heart broke knowing she was about to cry. “You of all people know that better than anyone. You know I can’t leave with you. No matter how much I want to. He would find me.”
I wanted to tell her I would protect her, that I’d keep her safe, but I knew it wouldn’t matter. A life on the run wasn’t the life Alayna deserved. She deserved something better.
This was why I chose not to argue with her.
“We’ll figure something out. I promise you’ll be free from him soon,” I insisted meaning what I said. “And then, I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure all of your wishes come true. You might not know this, but I made a promise that first night we met, and I intend to keep it. It’s why I’m here.”
I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers once more. I intended it to only be a chaste kiss since she’d broken all the others so soon, but when she cupped the nape of my neck instead of backing away, I slipped my tongue against her bottom lip. She surprised me by opening her mouth, allowing me entrance. Her hand fisted the back of my shirt and I didn’t know what she was holding onto more—the promise of my words or me in this moment. It didn’t matter. All that did was that we were together, and I hadn’t imagined the chemistry between us. It was still there, and as our lips continued to brush against one another’s, we flamed it to life even more.
Greed Page 7