I swallowed self-consciously. I was now face-to-face with the hard planes of his stomach; my eyes drifted to the line of hair trailing from his navel into the loose waist of his jeans. Jumping up, I forced my gaze to his face. “Nothing, nothing…breakfast is ready. And, um, Nathaniel wants to talk to us.”
I waited for him to ask me for more details, which I wouldn’t have been able to provide, but he just nodded silently. Pulling himself off the couch, he raked his hand through his disheveled hair.
“Why don’t you…ah…” I trailed off, words failing me as I gestured in the direction of my bathroom. Put some clothes on, my sarcastic inner voice finished for me helpfully. I bit my lip. “Join us downstairs when you’re ready.” Blowing out a shaky breath, I hurried toward the door at the top of the stairs.
Dothan appeared in the main kitchen five minutes later, thankfully wearing a shirt. His damp hair was brushed behind his ears. He greeted Nathaniel as he crossed the room to where I was standing by the stove, warming the eggs. “Rocky’s doing better,” he said, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
A wave of relief washed over me. “Oh, thank God.” It had been yet another case of Dothan to the rescue. He’d told us last night in the car that he’d seen the injured dog on his way over to our house. Thomas must have dumped him right back onto the side of the road once I’d lost consciousness.
When I failed to show up at the barn or answer his texts, Dothan had left Fox Run, only to return minutes later with Rocky in his back seat. He’d found Mrs. White in the house and transferred the dog to her car so she could rush him to the vet. Then he’d set back out to attend to a “personal emergency”, showing up at Nathaniel’s door minutes after my frantic grandfather arrived home following Thomas’s phone call.
I piled cheesy eggs on a plate and handed it to Dothan. “There are biscuits on the table,” I said, filling another plate for Nathaniel.
“Wow,” he said, sounding sincerely impressed. He took a seat at the place I’d set for him with orange juice and a coffee mug.
I shrugged, setting Nathaniel’s breakfast in front of him. “They’re just from a refrigerated can.” My cheeks flushed with warmth as I served myself. I snagged the coffee pot on my way to the table.
Dothan made an appreciative noise as he bit into one of the buttery biscuits. “Still…much better than our dinner.”
The three of us shared weak smiles. At one point in the endless drive home from the cabin, we’d found a gas station with a 24-hour convenience store. Suddenly ravenous after our ordeal, we had scrambled through the store, grabbing at snack food items like drunken teenagers after a party.
They’d both been extremely apologetic about leaving me in the cabin so long, explaining their end of the ordeal as we wolfed down tasteless hotdogs. I reminded them they had nothing to apologize for, but they continued to describe how they’d been forced to think through the various outcomes before deciding on a plan. And before that, of course, they’d had to grudgingly agree to trust each other for my benefit.
But the largest setback, time wise, had been the trip Nathaniel took to get the second book. All he would tell us was that it was a two-hour drive, and he’d need to make it again tonight.
Before that, though, we’d have to go retrieve my car. And dispose of a body. I shuddered, bringing the steaming coffee to my lips. At least I’d get to miss school. I wondered idly if burying a Fallen angel in the woods counted as an excused absence.
“We’ll head back to the cabin once we’re finished?” I asked, spearing a cheesy clump of eggs. I glanced at Nathaniel. “I assume we can talk on the car ride.” My heartbeat stumbled erratically as I studied his face for clues to the impending discussion.
Nathaniel cleared his throat. “I think we need to talk first. This isn’t a conversation for the car.”
My stomach twisted. “Okay,” I mumbled, setting down my fork. I dropped my hands to my lap and pulled at a hangnail, hiding my nervous reaction beneath the table. Nathaniel’s stony expression revealed nothing. I peeked at Dothan. His attention remained on his breakfast. He scooped up the last of his eggs with enthusiasm, apparently unconcerned by Nathaniel’s ominous announcement.
I jumped up, clearing my place before anyone could comment on the amount of uneaten food left on the plate. “I’ll get started on clean up, then.” I ran water into the sink as I scraped eggs into the disposal.
“I’ll do it,” Dothan said, sliding his chair out. “You cooked.” He reached around me to place a dish in the sink, pressing our bodies together for a brief second.
My pulse skittered. “Thanks.” I stepped aside to let him take my place washing. “I’ll clear and put the food away…we’ll get it done faster that way.” Drying my hands on a dishtowel, I rummaged through a drawer for some plastic containers.
The butterflies in my stomach multiplied aggressively as we finished cleaning the kitchen. Was this going to be another argument condemning our relationship? Could Nathaniel have even more reasons we had to stay apart? Another bombshell was in store—of that, I had no doubt.
Nathaniel refilled our coffee mugs, handing them out as he gestured toward the living room. “Why don’t you two sit down in there,” he said softly. It wasn’t a question.
A change of venue was ominous enough. Being told to sit down felt like a welcome suggestion at this point, rather than one more sign of the bad news to come. Somehow, my trembling legs carried me to the couch. I set my coffee mug on the antique end table before it could slip from my grip and crash to the floor.
Dothan raised his eyebrows in a silent question before sitting next to me on the couch. His expression portrayed the usual calm he outwardly displayed, but I could see the tension in his muscles as he reached for my hand.
Was he offering me support or affection? Did he feel what I felt? Because I wanted to cling to his warm, living flesh until I truly believed we had both survived the night. With a quick glance at my grandfather, I laced my fingers with Dothan’s. The current hummed between us, surging through my skin with a welcome twinge.
Nathaniel paced in front of the coffee table like a caged lion. Finally he stopped and turned to us, his broad shoulders sagging infinitesimally.
“Yesterday was…awful. Thankfully, a situation that could have had many tragic endings turned out okay. There’s a reason humans should not know about certain things…it puts them in danger.” Nathaniel shot a pointed look at Dothan.
“I badgered him,” I explained, rushing to his defense. “Relentlessly.” Dothan’s thumb rubbed across mine gently. With a sigh, I pressed myself back into the couch cushions.
Nathaniel nodded. “Well, now you know the truth…there’s no going back. At this point, I think you both realize the need for secrecy. It’s all too easy for someone to overhear something of a sensitive nature, even if you think you’re speaking in private. Look how far Dothan was able to get following people and listening to conversations. He found out about the books. He found me.”
Dothan’s grip tightened, but his expression didn’t change. So far this was all stuff we knew.
“And while I’m not thrilled he came to Huntsville to kill me, I understand his motivation. I don’t like that he used your…friendship…to get into this house. But since last night, I’ve had a chance to reassess my opinion of Dothan. He can’t hide his thoughts from me, if I go looking, and I can see his intentions are purely noble where you are concerned. And I doubt I can stop you two if you decide to pursue a romantic relationship.” Nathaniel’s gaze fell to our linked hands.
“Dothan’s an adult,” he continued. “Jamie, you’ll be eighteen in a year. Plus, you’ve had to grow up very fast since last fall. Just keep in mind; you won’t exactly be a normal teenage couple. There are risks involved. I’d urge you to use every precaution available.”
Oh, God. There it was. Heat burned up my neck, flooding my cheeks with fire. “Okay,” I blurted out, as though Dothan wouldn’t process the words if I ended the conversation fast
enough. “Is that it?” I scooted forward, anxious to escape. Suddenly I was very grateful Nathaniel couldn’t read my thoughts.
“No,” Nathaniel said firmly. “One more thing. After I tell you this, we should not discuss supernatural matters unless absolutely necessary. Understood?”
I gulped, still refusing to look at Dothan with my embarrassment so plainly displayed. “Yes.” Collapsing back again, I focused on not chewing off the fingers of my unoccupied left hand.
I was glad Nathaniel seemed more willing to accept a version of my future that included Dothan. Given their history, I didn’t think they’d ever become BFFs, but a continued truce would be good. I jiggled my foot, waiting for my grandfather’s next announcement. We had a mysterious death to conceal, and it was surprising that task wasn’t the number one priority right now.
Nathaniel drew in a deep breath. “I did not kill Dothan’s father.”
Huh? My mouth dropped open. Speechless, I whipped my head toward Dothan.
A muscle twitched in Dothan’s jaw. “Who did?” he asked slowly.
“No one did. Your father is alive.”
I gasped as Dothan’s steely grip ground the bones of my fingers together. He released me, and I cradled my throbbing hand while watching his own powerful hands curl into fists.
“No violence,” Nathaniel said, holding out his palms in a placating gesture. “I can see you don’t believe me, but you need to hear me out.”
No violence? Well, that was one reason for not discussing this in the car. I pictured us careening off a mountain road as Dothan tried to choke my grandfather for withholding this kind of information. Hysterical sobs bubbled in my chest.
Nathaniel hurried on. “I was instructed to kill Asher Reed—Dothan’s father. That part is true. But despite the fact that his actions resulted in the death of a human, the punishment just didn’t sit right with me. Ash’s son was eighteen, a legal adult, able to care for himself…but I couldn’t justify another death when the crime was falling in love and creating a life. As an archangel, I can block my thoughts from all other angels, and I’ve earned enough trust to avoid being questioned.”
Nathaniel raked a hand through his thick hair as he continued. “Still, it was very risky disobeying the Divine Council’s decision. I took him to a remote location, handed him a fake passport, and told him Asher Reed was now dead. He knew if he didn’t disappear, it would be an actual death sentence for both of us.”
Dothan sat very still. “My father is…alive?”
“Yes. The note he left you was real, though—he never lied to you. He knew his time was up when you turned eighteen, and he came with me willing to accept his punishment. He had no idea I’d had a change of heart.”
“Where is he?” His voice vibrated with barely controlled anger.
Nathaniel sighed. “I honestly don’t know, and that’s for the best. He had to go somewhere off the map, where there was no chance of him being seen alive. He could be anywhere, and I can’t have you searching for him.”
“I have to.”
My heart dropped to the floor. Dothan would leave Huntsville to search for his father, and they’d live together in some remote location. I’d never see him again. And I was a selfish, selfish person to think that way—but the idea of losing him forever filled my veins with icy terror.
Nathaniel shook his head firmly. “No. You can’t. It’s been less than a year, Dothan. In time, I know he’ll find a way to contact you. But you have to leave it in his hands. You’ll never find him, and if you try, your questions will eventually bring suspicion down on me. And that will doom both of us. The only way to protect Asher is to wait for him to make the first move.”
Holding my breath, I gazed at Dothan. Would he be able to see the truth in those statements? We were all painfully aware of the danger that had resulted from Dothan’s last search for answers. But if someone suddenly told me my mother was actually alive and in hiding—yeah, I’d have trouble listening to reason.
The grandfather clock ticked away the seconds in the heavy silence. Finally, Dothan nodded slowly. “I’ll wait.”
I exhaled, slumping with relief. It hadn’t even been 24 hours since Thomas snatched me. How much more could any of us take?
“It’s the right thing to do,” Nathaniel said, his green eyes softening. “Thank you,” he added.
Dothan rose from the couch. “Thank you for sparing my father.”
Bittersweet tears clogged my throat at the tentative peace forming between the two men I loved. It was awful that Dothan’s father had been exiled to some dark corner of the world, but at least he wasn’t dead. My grandfather had separated father and son, surely putting them both through hell, but he’d also kept Asher Reed alive. Hopefully someday soon, they’d be reunited.
“We need to go now,” Nathaniel pointed out, gesturing toward the clock. “I know there will be more questions, but we have an hour’s drive. I’ve packed what we need in my car already.” He fixed his sharp gaze on me. “Jamie, you should stay here. You’re not looking very well.”
Dothan turned back towards me, a look of concern clouding his beautiful features. “He’s right. You should get some rest. Nathaniel and I can handle this.”
“Thanks for all the compliments,” I grumbled. I crossed my arms over my chest in an attempt to control the tremors rippling through me. “But I’m fine. And I’m going.” There was not a chance I was going to let them leave me behind. Dothan and I had unfinished business, and the drive home in my car would afford us some much-needed privacy.
Dothan’s eyes narrowed knowingly as he assessed my level of determination. With a sigh, he hooked his hand under my elbow and helped me up. “You’ll stay in the car,” he murmured.
I nodded weakly. Fine by me. I’d be happiest never knowing what Nathaniel had “packed” to take care of this mess. “Let me just grab my jacket,” I answered, heading for the stairs.
Chapter 35
True to my word, I stayed in the car. In fact, I drove away from the fishing shack for a while. Somehow it looked just as creepy in the morning light, and I couldn’t stand the sight of it.
Once I’d slid into the chilly driver’s seat of my hatchback, I’d noticed my phone, discarded on the passenger seat. The battery was dead, and there was no reception up on the mountain anyway. So after explaining my plan, I’d traveled down the main road until my phone was charged and some bars appeared. Texts from Dothan and Sam had popped up, but since Sam was in school, I hadn’t answered yet. I’d need to concoct a story first.
Now Dothan sat in the driver’s seat, and we were headed back down the mountain for good this time, with Nathaniel behind us in his car. I glanced over at the dirt streaking his jeans. I’d seen shovels emerge from Nathaniel’s trunk, so I could guess what they’d been up to. Maybe someday I’d want to know the details. But today was not that day.
“Are you going to go back to work?” I asked him as we bumped along the rough road.
He nodded. “There’s only so much time I can take for a personal emergency before questions arise. What about you? Will you go into the store?”
I thought about the question. Obviously, the store was closed right now…but it was Wednesday, my day to work the evening shift. And the shop had been closed since last night, so maybe Nathaniel would want to open for the afternoon. A fresh wave of exhaustion crashed over me. “I guess it’s up to Nathaniel. Maybe he’ll work for me if he does open,” I added hopefully.
“Then you could come by the barn. If you’re not too tired, that is.”
I chewed on my lip as my heart fluttered erratically. Maybe he did want to continue a relationship with me, despite Nathaniel’s dire warnings. Every part of me wanted to promise to be there, exhausted or not, at some point. But I wasn’t about to forget Sam. She deserved some explanations, even if I couldn’t give her the whole truth.
“I probably won’t make it today,” I said apologetically. “If I don’t have to work, I think I need to catch Sam after
practice. She’s going to have a lot of questions. Don’t forget, she can see my house. Your car’s been parked on our street since yesterday. Although she doesn’t know it’s yours, so that’s not the worst part. She’ll know my car was gone all night. I can’t even imagine what she’s thinking.”
Dothan shot me a wicked grin, dimples flashing. “How much have you told her about us?”
There it was. My chance. “Is there an ‘us’? Because yesterday you said there couldn’t be.” Had that really only been yesterday?
His smile vanished, chased away by a dark frown. “The selfish part of me wants to be with you, Jamie. You know that. But it’s safer if I stay away.”
I bristled, ready for a fight. “That’s ridiculous. How many times have you come to my rescue? Last night comes to mind, for starters.”
“You wouldn’t have been in that situation last night if it weren’t for me. I put you there. I’m dangerous to you.” His hands gripped the steering wheel, revealing tight bands of muscle along his forearms.
“Oh, here we go with this again,” I said, rubbing my forehead in exasperation. I wanted to remind him not to yank off my steering wheel, but that might play into his argument somehow.
“Last night,” I started, choosing my words carefully, “Nathaniel pointed out that I wouldn’t have been in that situation if he had never allowed himself to get close to my mom and me. Yet he’s enriched our lives in so many ways. He came to our rescue, too. My mom didn’t exactly have an impressive resume, but he gave her a job, with flexible hours, so she could take care of me. He put a roof over our heads, and charged us way less for rent than he should have. When my mom died, he was there for me, sharing my grief and giving me comfort.” I peered into my side view mirror to check on him quickly. Turning back to Dothan, I finished breathlessly. “Loving someone is a risk. But if you don’t take a few risks in life, well, that’s not really living, is it?
His jaw was set in a hard line. “Do you have an argument for everything?”
“Yes. Especially when something’s important to me.”
Divine Fall Page 23