“Thanks!” Eva replied animatedly. “You’ve been a great help.”
“Yeah, yeah. Be great if you can try to not scare people next time.”
Aw. The big, scary guy was a teddy bear.
Chapter Twenty
Spinning your web
We rushed into a swanky nightclub. Kate and Sierra were going to meet us there, and it turned out they didn’t need to call Wes. Since they called and told us that the guy told them he had no clue where Alan was, but that the last time they met, he did seem unusually alert and jumpy. When he’d asked Alan, he wouldn’t tell him what was wrong.
Now our hope rode on Cam.
* * *
We were waiting on Eva, who apparently found someone who was close to Cam and could tell us where she was.
I was scrolling through my phone. My last message was from Chase, saying to call him if I needed anything.
Since I was bored out of my mind waiting for Eva, and maybe just slightly tipsy from my first drink, I decided calling Chase would be a wonderful idea. Seeing him was a need after all, wasn’t it? It sure felt like it.
“Sherr,” he said softly, and the way he said my name, like it was made just for him, washed over me. See? Great idea. “On the way home. Something wrong?”
“Just wanted to say hi,” I found myself saying. I missed him. I missed his voice. I especially missed his smile.
“Are you drunk?”
Oops. Did I say that loud?
“No,” I denied. I was just a little tipsy, but he didn’t really need to know that.
He paused, as if trying to decide the validity of my response.
“Where are you?”
“Umm– I don’t remember. Haley drove us here.”
“Can you pass the phone to her?”
I twisted my neck and looked over, making sure Haley was still where I last saw her. She wanted something to drink, since Eva was taking too long.
“Hales! Chase doesn’t want to talk to me!” I yelled to her over the music.
Haley stifled a laugh and grabbed my phone.
* * *
Eva finally emerged from the throng of dancing bodies, and made her way up to us.
Kate and Sierra were at her heels. It looked like they came back from the guy's place.
"Did you find her?" I asked.
"Nope," she replied, looking a little defeated. "But she's in the VIP section. Maybe we should just go home. "
Sierra didn't miss a beat. "Pshh. We got this," Sierra told her, waving a hand dismissively. She walked up to the VIP dude, with his suit and shades, and whispered something in his ear. I watched as what she said sank in, and his expression paled. His eyes darted left and right, before he stepped away, telling us to hurry.
She gestured to us to come over with a hand, and we followed.
"Do you know him?" I whispered in her ear.
She lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. "An old acquaintance. Just happened to know one of his secrets."
We found Cam in a corner, sipping a martini, sitting on a guy's lap. They spoke in low, hushed tones, before she slid off and walked to the bar.
"Cam?"
Her dark, surprised gaze flew to us. "Hi. Do I know you?"
She was pretty, in a sort of understated way.
It was her eyes that pulled you in, because they were large and soulful, her soft caramel brown hair framing her face.
"Hi. My name is Eva. Eva Denvers," she said, carefully watching for a sign that it rang any bells. "You know my brother, Alan?"
A spark of recognition crossed her expression. "Al? Yes, of course, I know him. You're his sister?"
Her face brightened, and the way she spoke his name was tinged with a sort of affection.
I briefly wondered if they might’ve had a different relationship than we’d assumed.
"Yeah. Do you know where he'd be?"
"No," she said, a frown in her face. Concern was now apparent in her eyes. "He usually calls me at lunch time, but since yesterday, there was nothing. Is there something wrong? Is he okay?"
That wasn't good. If he didn't call her, then he might've been in trouble.
"No, nothing wrong. We just had a bit of a fight the other day. I want to go see him, but he hasn't been talking to me either."
"Hmm. Him and Doug were tight. Maybe he crashed over at his place."
"Doug?" Eva gasped.
Oh crap. Doug was notoriously known for being involved in some drunken brawls and had a few arrests. What the heck kind of business did Alan get himself into?
"Thanks. If he ever calls you, let me know, please. I just want to get through to him," Eva told her, her voice thick with emotion.
Cam nodded once and closed her hand over hers sympathetically. "I'll let you know."
* * *
Done for today, we were heading to the exit. I’d been the first to leave, so I was ahead of everyone. We were discussing about Doug, and not really looking where I was going, I crashed into something hard. Strong, hard arms went around me.
I looked up only to see Chase in front of me, concern in his deep blue eyes.
“Chase? What are you doing here?” I gasped, pleasantly surprised.
“You called me.” His response was short and clipped, and it made me frown.
I did call him, I just never expected him to come. I told him as much. He ignored me.
“You’re aware someone’s after you?” he asked, his voice low, his eyes, glittering.
“Not something I can forget,” I replied, and the memory left me chilled. I rubbed my arms.
His gaze was still on me as he said, “I want you safe. You could’ve at least told me you were leaving.”
It was then that I realized that I didn’t think how it would affect him at all.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
“Need a ride?” he asked, the hard edge of his tone softening.
“No, it’s okay, I got–” when I twisted my head around, there was no sign of any of them. I walked further and saw that Haley’s car wasn’t where it should’ve been.
“They abandoned me," I muttered disbelievingly, as it sank in.
My knees were a little wobbly as I made my way to his car.
He chuckled, shuffling me in. "Can you do your seatbelt or need me to do it for you?"
I stuck my tongue out and put my seatbelt on, even if a little clumsily. I didn't care how childish it looked, he could shove it.
It was then that I saw a glint of something in the back of the car, of silver against blue, and it looked oddly familiar. "Wait a minute," I called out, wiggling and stretching out my arm to reach the paperback on the backseat. Dumbfounded, I said slowly, "This is my book."
"You sound surprised," he spoke after a while, his eyes on the road. "A handful of us have it. We're proud of you, you know.”
I imagined him sitting outside on a porch, reading something I'd written. Something I personally dealt with in the past few years. I didn't know how or why, but suddenly, my eyes were wet. I looked out the window to hide it, but as the car stopped on a red light, a thumb brushed my tear away.
"Don't cry."
"Not crying," I replied, still not wanting to look at him.
"Hmm.. Then why won't you look at me?" he challenged.
My voice thick from tears, I replied, "I– I can't."
If I did I wouldn't be able to keep the tears silent.
* * *
After we went home, I headed to the shower, tired. Then I quickly slipped into an oversized t-shirt and put on soft cotton shorts.
I ran to the living room, and plugged my charger into my laptop. Then I went back to the kitchen and heated the grilled chicken, still rather warm to the touch, a good portion still left for me. There were also some fries, generously sprinkled with salt. Mmm.
I was munching on a fry when I heard Chase talking to someone on the phone. I heard footsteps before he entered the kitchen.
“Hey,” he said to me warmly as he covered the mouthpiece. �
�Having dinner?”
“Still heating the chicken. What’s up?”
“Mom just wants to know how you are,” he told me, holding the phone up.
After a nod, he passed the phone over to me.
“Celine,” I said cheerily.
“You’re back with my son?” she cried, and there was no mistaking that she was thrilled. Chase walked out to the living room.
“Yes. I mean, I think so.” I think so? I slapped my forehead. “We’re just seeing how things go for now,” I amended.
“I’m so happy for you both. It was hard when you left. We missed you. Gem did also. How are you?”
“I’m doing good, thanks. There hasn’t been any news since the– the incident. I just hope it all goes away. I don’t want to overstay my welcome, ” I told her, trying not to think of what had happened.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart, Chase will keep you safe. Maybe we’ll even finally see that wedding soon,” she teased. “Maybe have grandchildren by the end of next year.”
“Wedding?” I must’ve paled, because honest to God, I couldn’t find a thing to say. Grandchildren?
The phone was suddenly yanked from my hand.
“Mom,” Chase said firmly, but still rather affectionately, “Sherr’s gonna go have dinner. I’ll see you soon.”
“Sorry,” he muttered as he placed his phone on the counter. “Didn’t know she was going to mention anything about weddings.”
“And grandchildren,” I squeaked out.
“Fuck.”
I took my plate out of the microwave. “Don’t worry about it.” But I was, because I felt myself tremble as I held the plate.
He noticed, because his hands slid over mine. “Forget she said anything?”
“I’ll try,” I managed to reply.
“Whatever she says, or whatever anyone says,” Chase declared, “all that matters is what we know about us. What we have. That’s all that counts.”
No one else mattered.
I liked that.
It was so easy to say, but not so much to grasp. But the way he said it, with the steel and determination in his eyes, I hadn’t just felt it– I believed it.
* * *
I turned on the TV with my laptop resting on my lap after dinner, ready for some more outlining for the later chapters. After a while, I started to yawn.
Chase gave me space when I worked, but as he went to the kitchen to drop off a mug, he must’ve noticed how close I was to dropping and dozing off.
“Couch isn’t that soft,” Chase said behind me.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Come to bed.”
My mind, tickled by the comment, shook off the drowsiness. Did he just say…?
At first it was only an inelegant snort. Then it quickly turned into full-blown laughter, as what he said sank in. “Oh, I’m sure that line works with all the women,” I had to bite my lip to stop from laughing, “but–”
I stopped short as Chase grabbed hold of my hand and tugged. I was forced to keep up with him until we reached his room.
“Chase!” I cried out, a little breathless.
“Tell me you don’t want this,” he said, challenge in his eyes as his met mine.
The laughter died in my throat.
Because I did want it. Badly.
And I watched as he climbed over, going to one side of the bed.
The one where he expected me to sleep.
I was rendered speechless for a little while as I stared.
“W-We can’t sleep together,” I stammered.
He was fighting a smile. “We already have. Three by my count.”
Oh my God. He was counting. “This– This is different!”
“How?” he shot back.
“Because– because it just is,” I said, flustered. “I’ve passed out both times.”
“You still stayed,” he pointed out.
Okay, so he was right. Still…
“Isn’t this going a bit too fast?”
He didn’t seem to think it was fast, because he came closer, put an arm around my waist and the other at my back, and without warning, he pulled me down with him. He flipped me over expertly, until he was on top.
Still trying to absorb what had just happened, I tried to move, to get us more on even ground, but he had me pinned. Heat simmered, low.
“No,” he answered simply.
That’s all he was going to say?
“Chase, I just came here two days ago.” I was freaking out, and made no effort whatsoever to conceal it.
“I know. I also know you’re scared and don’t know how this is going to go, but baby, if you give this half a chance, I’ll make it worth it.”
My lips parted as what he said came through, and I did it in awe that someone like him could be real. That it could happen at all to me. And I felt it deep, even as doubt warred with the new, unbidden feelings that threatened to spill over.
His eyes swept over me, his gaze almost like a caress.
“But–”
“Don’t,” he warned, his voice husky. “Don’t finish that.”
And I was reminded that I slept with him last night, without him trying anything.
Why was I so stupid? Maybe he lost interest in me, and this was all some giant responsibility he now couldn’t get rid of.
I felt my eyes widen as I blurted out like an idiot, “Don’t you want me?”
He stilled. He closed his eyes, as if mustering more patience, and when he opened them, his eyes darkened with heat. “I remember what happened last time, baby. This time, I’m taking it slow.”
He absently ran a thumb along my arm. I fought to suppress a shiver.
Then it dawned on me what he’d said, all this time unaware that I’d already been caught.
“Spinning your web,” I muttered softly under my breath.
But he’d heard.
* * *
If my phone had a life or nine, I probably would’ve already smashed it.
“Rise and shine,” Eva greeted brightly through my phone. I pressed my finger to the answer button on the screen like it was my greatest enemy.
I groaned. Chase had left again for work early. He’d been quiet as he left. He gave me a kiss on my forehead, on my nose, and the corner of my lips. The memory of it made me sigh.
I was normally a morning person, but I’d been a little restless last night, hyper-aware that I was next to Chase, his warm body so close to mine, his breath brushing against my hair, a hand resting on my belly.
Stupid web.
I heard a muffled voice at the other end of the line,
Eva let out a sigh. “Meet at Abe’s?” she suggested. “Sierra’s having coffee withdrawals.”
“I feel her pain,” I sympathized, doing a stretch, trying to shake away the dredges of sleep. “I’ll be there in twenty.”
* * *
We were at Abe’s, seated by the windows. Morning crowd was the best crowd, because there were much less people.
Kate had an elbow on the table as she held open a map, and she bit into her cupcake. “Okay. So– Doug. How do you want to do this?” she asked.
“Maybe it’s better to kind of get a feel for it first,” I suggested. I chose a slice of pineapple pie. Mmm.
“He lives on his own far away on the outskirts of town. I’d say, twenty, thirty minute drive?” Sierra guessed. Then a little hesitantly, she asked, “Should we ask Wes?”
I expressed that it wasn’t a good idea. Besides, I wasn’t sure if Wes would even approve of what we were doing. Plus, he would tell Chase.
“We could make it up,” Eva said. “Maybe say that we’re visiting an old, intimidating friend, and we need to ask him a few questions.”
“Sounds like an interrogation,” Haley mused.
“I’m game,” Sierra was all too happy to reply.
I quickly shot a text to Chase about where we were going, assuring him I had company.
If things went very wrong, we'd be in a wh
ole lot of trouble.
Chapter Twenty-One
Whirlwind
Wes ended up coming, clueless about what was going on. We managed to dodge most of his questions. He didn’t mind coming, but I could tell he was curious.
We stopped by a series of smaller houses. People were looking at us from their windows, but I stopped by the door, my belly full of dread. "I think I'm going to be sick."
"No you're not." Sierra slapped my back. "Let's do this."
"Ow." I scowled, following behind reluctantly. I took a deep breath, and waited as Sierra knocked.
We didn’t wait long. Doug was tall and burly, and he looked like he hadn’t seen a razor in weeks.
Eva cleared her throat, drawing his attention. “Doug?” she said.
“Yeah?” he answered, his brows furrowing.
“My name is Eva Denvers. You know my brother, Alan?”
“Yeah, I know Alan,” he replied warily.
Relief crossed her expression. “Do you know if–”
“I know Alan,” he repeated, his stance aggressive. “I know dick about you. How do I know you’re who you say you are?”
Her eyes widened, and red crept onto her face. “I– I have ID.”
God. What an ass. As if anyone would just randomly come to his place and claim to be his friend’s sister.
“Don’t know an Alan Denvers,” he said, a smirk forming. “I know an Alan Casey.”
Well, that was a surprise. Kate, Haley and I exchanged a glance.
Eva was caught by surprise too. “Casey was my mother’s maiden name.”
“Try again, sweetheart,” he sneered.
Sierra was already scrolling through her phone. She stopped, as if finding something she was searching for. Then she held it up to him and showed a Facebook page that listed Alan Denvers. “Here you go, dickhead. Or are you going to say Alan’s making this up?”
Surprise flickered on his expression. “He fucking lied?” his voice boomed out.
Oh crap.
His look was positively murderous. We stepped back.
Truce or Dare (Sweet Fortuity Book 1) Page 15