Coming Together

by Brandy L Rivers

  “Wait.” Eddie looked into his eyes. “You don’t approve?”

  “I only want you to be happy.”

  “Kim makes me happy.”

  Grampa nodded, but didn’t seem convinced. Before Eddie could press further, Grampa changed the subject. “You ready for the full moon?”

  He shrugged. “I’ll go up to the campsite and shift.”

  “Ask Jackie to come along. She’s always loved cats.” Winking, he stepped inside.

  * * * *

  After breakfast, Jackie snuck into the kitchen to clean up before Grampa John could stop her. Pleased with the success of her ruse, she grinned as she slid the last dish into the dishwasher.

  “Tsk, tsk. You know I don’t expect you to do that.”

  “No, but I like to. You went through all the trouble to make my favorite food.”

  His eyes twinkled. “When it comes to food, you’re easy.”

  She grinned back. “You find a woman yet?”

  He shook his head. “No, but I do flirt with all the pretty ones.”

  Jackie laughed. He flirted with everyone, shamelessly. “And no one has caught your eye?”

  He sighed. “I’m not sure anyone can fill my heart like Naomi did.”

  Jackie smiled sadly and nudged Grampa with her shoulder. “I miss her too.”

  “You’ll have that one day soon.”

  Jackie nodded, but didn’t believe his words for a second. The one who filled her heart would be married soon, to someone else.

  Chapter 4

  Around noon, Jackie stood in front of her mirror, applying the final touches of smoky makeup. She had to stop by Brent’s office at In Other News to discuss photos from the shoot. A magazine for Others, he got away with the publication because humans believed they were reading a trashy gossip magazine and laughed off the crazy stories, all thanks to crafty enchantments to fool normal people.

  Later, she’d work her shift at the Jitterhouse, and hopefully run into her blue-eyed mystery man. She longed for a distraction from Eddie, who would probably be engaged by the time she got home. A part of her would die when she let him go, but it was time.

  “Jackie, I’m meeting Kim’s dad tonight.” The excitement in Eddie’s voice dropped a stone in her gut. “I want to make a great impression. Can you help me?”

  Swallowing her heart, which had lodged in her throat, she forced her best smile as she turned to him. “What can I do?”

  He stood before her in a pair of slacks and nothing else. Her imagination raced down a forbidden road that had her hands all over the smooth, dark skin. His hair drifting over her, teasing her senses, while he stared into her eyes. She mentally shook the images away before she forgot he was off limits.

  Her favorite smile played on his lips as his eyes moved over her outfit. He wore a lopsided grin. “Give me a pep talk?”

  “I’ve been telling you for months she’ll say yes. Her father will love you. Relax. Everything will be fine. Be your normal charming self, and do it.”

  His chest heaved in a heavy sigh as he dropped his gaze. “Thanks.”

  “How’s my outfit?” she asked, looking to change the subject.

  Eddie’s eyes traveled back up her body at a leisurely pace. A slow smile lifted the corners of his lips. His dark eyes smoldered when they met hers.

  She wanted to cry out in frustration because her imagination had a cruel sense of humor. He couldn’t want her. In a few hours, he would propose to the woman he truly loved.

  “Add the velvet choker and you’re set,” he said in a low voice.

  “Thanks.” Jackie turned to her dresser and lifted the necklace, a birthday present from Eddie the year before. The dull ache in her chest increased.

  “Let me.” Holding out his hand, he waited with an arched brow.

  She handed the ribbon over, and turned, twisting her hair up and out of the way.

  Eddie looped the fabric around her neck and fastened the jewelry. His fingers lingered, gently stroking her neck. Shivers travelled down her spine. She wanted to lean into his body and tip her head so his mouth could replace his fingers.

  Then reality blinked back, and she turned abruptly, forcing a smile. He stared at the wall with a faraway look, probably imagining Kim.

  Reorienting herself, she asked, “What’s the plan? How are you going to pop the question?”

  One corner of his mouth lifted as he met her gaze. “I’m taking her and her father to that fancy sushi place she loves. I’ll get down on one knee, tell her how much she means to me in front of him, then ask her to marry me.”

  She grinned. “You’re sweet. Come on, let me help you pick out a shirt.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m not sure what you’d do without me,” Jackie teased as she brushed past him.

  “Neither am I.” Or that’s what she thought she heard, but it was so quiet she figured her imagination had run away again.

  “Stop stressing, Eddie. Seriously, she’s going to jump up and down screaming yes. She’s absolutely in love with you. Now, come on.” She dragged him back to his room and went straight to his closet.

  Guilt tried to creep up on her, but she kicked it back down as she reached for her favorite dark red silk shirt. She’d given it to him for Christmas because she wanted to run her hands over silk-covered muscle. Talk about a glutton for punishment.

  “Here. This one.”

  His face lit up. “Kim loves this shirt, likes to—”

  Jackie slapped her hands over his mouth with wide eyes. She didn’t need confirmation Kim shared the same fantasy.

  No, worse. She got to live it.

  “Really don’t want to hear what she does to you. I get it.”

  His lips quirked against her palm. The sensation was too much. She pulled away as the tingle danced over her nerves to lick the fire deep inside. Heat rose up her cheeks as she backed into the wall.

  His eyes danced with humor. “Sorry, but when did you become such a prude?”

  “Don’t want more images filling my head. I hear you two, plenty, from down the hall.” Which sparked too many fantasies starring Eddie, without Kim.

  Which has to stop. He’s practically my brother.

  If only I believed that.

  He shrugged, then changed the subject. “Are you going to see Mathis and Paavo again?”

  “No. Last night was…” She had no clue what to say. There was sex, but the encounter had been so much more, and not in a romantic sense. Though, they had been incredible and made her feel amazing. After all those crazy visions she couldn’t explain, she had to wonder if the wine had been spiked with psychedelics.

  He moved closer, his expression serious. “Tell me you enjoyed yourself and nothing was forced.”

  “No, not forced. And yes, I enjoyed myself.” She would never admit how much. “Please, drop it. Last night was overwhelming, and I’m not looking for another go-around.”

  Eddie stared at her with a scrunched brow. Then he grinned. “What about Jared? You were really into him a few weeks ago.”

  “No. Jared’s not my type.”

  “Thought you said he was really sexy and smooth?” His eyes searched hers.

  She fought back the shudder before the memories could wig her out. The night of Jayde and Scotty’s party, she’d been feeling sorry for herself.

  Eddie was on stage, so Kim followed her to chat with Jayde. Jackie didn’t have the heart to tell her to go away. Being polite, she introduced the two. “Hey, Jayde, this is Kim, Eddie’s girlfriend.”

  Jayde gave Jackie a brief glance before accepting Kim’s extended hand.

  Kim grinned. “Great to meet you. Never seen Scotty smile so much.”

  Jackie nodded, looking up at Eddie, who locked gazes with her. Her heart throbbed in her chest, until he looked over at Kim.

  The drum beat started and Eddie’s gaze slid back to Jackie.

  Jackie checked out the rest of Revolt. Four of the hottest guys in Seattle, all different flavors, and
none of them wanted her.

  She sighed, and noticed the way Scotty watched Jayde. Jackie leaned over. “He can’t take his eyes off you.”

  Jayde smirked, nodding her head. “I know. And trust me, he’s insatiable.”

  “He’s a nymph, aren’t they all?”

  “But I’m the one he’s going home with.”

  “That’s obvious,” Kim agreed, smiling. “And I get to take Eddie home.”

  The innocent comment lodged barbs in her heart. Jackie glanced up at the stage and Eddie’s gaze locked on hers once again. Guilt twisted through her.

  She turned to Jayde. “I noticed Jared here. I’m going to say hello.”

  She sought him out with every intention of having an amazing night of her own. Instead, the evening ended in disaster.

  “That was a drunken mistake. I’m allowed a few of those, and after that crazy party at Shenanigans, I wasn’t really thinking.” Otherwise, she’d never have gone along with the insanity. Granted, it was hot, but holy hell, he did things she never wanted to try again. Ever since, he kept coming around, wanting to talk. She couldn’t. It wasn’t entirely his fault. She was into the exploration, until Jared led them down a path she wasn’t prepared for.

  Eddie scowled. “Do I have to beat his ass?”

  She shook her head, looking away. “No. He wasn’t what I’d imagined. Not his fault.”

  His head tipped to the side, studying her.

  Grasping for a better topic, she grinned. “Are you going to be here, or at her place, tonight?” Please, please, please say Kim’s. She needed a night to herself. Especially since he’d have everything he wanted, and she would be left behind.

  Eddie moving out was a double-edged sword. Freedom from her forbidden desires, and loss because she wouldn’t have her closest friend in the next room. Though having him close was another kind of torture. She couldn’t have him for so many reasons.

  “Here.” He shrugged sheepishly. “She’s coming over after dinner. We’ll be asleep before you get home.” Which translated to, Kim would be sleeping while he waited up to make sure she got home safely.

  Like a big brother.

  As sweet as his intentions were, she was tired of the overprotective bullshit.

  Eddie pulled his shirt on, leaving it unbuttoned.

  She groaned inwardly. Did he really believe she was immune to his chiseled body? Of course, he couldn’t have a clue she fantasized about him day and night.

  He gave her a peck on the cheek. “You look amazing. Don’t stay out too late. And please, be careful.”

  Rolling her eyes, she grabbed her purse and laptop bag. “Yes, dad.” She blew a kiss before leaving.

  Once on the street, she looked up to see Eddie at his window. He waved and she hoped he would move in with Kim soon. She couldn’t take many more of the constant reminders that Eddie’s heart belonged to another woman.

  * * * *

  Watching her walk out the door was torture. Her blue eyes shone like the warm summer sky. A twist to her lips begged for a kiss he was tempted to deliver before she hurried out the door. And that damned outfit, like most of her clothes, was designed to accentuate her curves. Every day it became harder to ignore the temptation to tell her everything in his heart.

  Kim! I love Kim! Really, I fucking love Kim! Eddie reminded himself.

  A new wave of nerves flared. Today was the day. He was going to propose. And hopefully, the piece of his heart that longed for Jackie to take Kim’s place would finally let go of the impossible dream.

  With a sigh, he went to his room to grab his phone. He couldn’t resist a peek out the window. Jackie rushed across the street and turned back to wave.

  Grinning, he leaned against the wall to watch until she turned the corner. He hated that she worked until one in the morning, and the fact she walked through the park that late at night. If it weren’t for Kim, he’d offer to walk her home, not that she’d agree. She never did in the past.

  The phone rang and he saw Kim’s number. “Hey, baby.” He sounded brighter than he felt. In fact, his heart sank to the pit of his stomach. Can I do it? Can I finally ask Kim to marry me?

  “Eddie Swiftstride?” He froze at the deep timbre of the Chinese accent filled with despair.

  “Yes, sir. Is everything okay?” Why would Kim’s father be calling? Every horrible possibility swarmed his head.

  After a stretched silence, Mr. Xhangxi choked out, “She’s gone. My little girl is gone.”

  The air left his lungs in a whoosh. He sank onto the window seat. “Kim? Kim’s gone?”

  “They’re saying some rare sickness. Her blood evaporated. She weighs nothing.” The ragged cry at the end tore at Eddie’s heart.

  “Mr. Xhangxi? You’re her father, right?” Eddie’s voice broke, tears sliding down his face. “Can I see her?”

  “That’s why I’m calling. My baby loved you with her whole heart. Maybe you could tell me about her life since she moved to Seattle.” The desperation in her father’s voice spurred him into action.

  “Of course.” He wiped at his face. “Where are you?”

  “The morgue at Swedish Hospital.”

  “I’ll be there.” He dropped his phone on the bed and managed to finish getting dressed.

  He searched his memory for any hint Kim had been sick. Nothing he could think of. She was healthy, kissing him goodbye, when he last saw her.

  Chapter 5

  Brent sat behind his desk, bent over his computer. Probably going through the images Jackie had uploaded earlier. His eyes flashed up with a devilish smirk. “Why, hello there.”

  Her brow arched. “Hello, yourself.”

  “These are spectacular.” He motioned at his screen. “How’d you get the boys so intimate?”

  The memory put a wicked grin on her face. “They didn’t require help.”

  He sat forward, lips quirking. “Never seen these two this intense on camera. What did you do?”

  She’d let them strip her down before watching them pose. They’d followed every last direction without hesitation. Though there were no rules against fraternizing with the subject, she would never admit how far they went. The memories would last a lifetime.

  He chuckled. “They told me they tried to convince you to stay this morning.”

  Her eyes rounded. Of course they told him. Siren freely talked about anything intimate. Their playful innuendos and seductive teasing are what turned the photoshoot into passionate abandon.

  She lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “They couldn’t keep me. I had plans. Please tell me you didn’t set this up so I could get laid. That’s just wrong.” Whereas Eddie never felt like family, Brent did, in a major way.

  He shrugged, a smirk flowing over his lips. “Remember anything from the experience?”

  Anger flashed through her. She crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s none of your business. Everything that happened between the three of us was perfectly consensual.” If a bit foggy, but again, he didn’t need the details.

  “I’m not talking about the sex.” His face evened out as he became serious. “Tell me you learned about your mother.”

  She took a step back, shaking her head. “What the fuck does she have to do with anything? Wait—I don’t want to know.” A series of memories and images poured through her head, and she dropped onto a chair. “Really, Brent, we’re not discussing last night. Or my mother, who has nothing to do with what happened.”

  “It has everything to do with her.”

  Flashes of her mother seducing shady individuals played through her mind. All things she didn’t want to believe about the woman her father had been in love with. Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “I’m here for business. Let’s get to work on those photos.”

  Sitting back, he frowned. “One of these days you’re going to have to talk about what you’ve learned.”

  Her eyes grew round. “This topic is off the table. If my mother, sex, and/or threesomes have anything to do with each other,
I don’t want to know.”

  He let out a heavy sigh. “Okay. Work it is.”

  * * * *

  So pale, and… empty. Kim didn’t look sick. There were no signs of a struggle. Her sense of adventure, and spontaneity, were gone with her soul. Drained away.

  “Kim,” he whispered, “I love you.” Eddie reached out, caressing her cold cheek. His heart broke as he stared at her lifeless body. Praying her eyes would flip open and she’d shout, “Gotcha,” his fingers trailed down searching for a pulse.

  The skin dipped in two circles on her throat, below her jaw line. He could barely make out faint indentations, like scars.

  Those hadn’t been there that morning. Her skin had been flawless.

  “A disease?” Eddie lifted his head, catching Mr. Xhangxi’s shrewd expression.

  He sighed, the loss clear on his face. “There’s no other reasonable explanation. I’ve heard this is the tenth case in a week.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “It’s targeting Others.”

  Eddie had the distinct impression Mr. Xhangxi believed there was something more going on. He had to agree. However, he couldn’t openly say anything with the human mortician standing five feet away.

  “I don’t know what to say.” He dropped his gaze to Kim with a sigh. Unable to believe she was gone, but the proof lay before him. Beneath the harsh chemical scent, a dark, pungent smell lurked. He couldn’t place the scent but it made his blood run cold.

  His chest constricted, air wouldn’t fill his lungs. Instead, cloying, rotten sweetness laden with the stench of darkness.

  Turning, he hurried out of the room, heading for the exit. His body demanded clean, untainted air.

  Kim’s father caught up. “You sense the shadows, don’t you?”

  Eddie pushed through the doors and moved down to lean against the wall. “I’m not sure what I sense, sir. Something dark, evil, I can’t begin to explain. I love her, and she’s gone.” He hurt in so many ways, he couldn’t explain the conflict to Mr. Xhangxi. How would he clarify the guilt, that as much as he felt the loss to his core, there was another whose loss would destroy him? Not something he could easily admit to his dead girlfriend’s father.