“Why were you so surprised to see Ian in the gym when you ran from me?”
“I thought you were him,” I replied after a moment. “But that doesn’t come as much of a shock to you, does it?”
“No.”
“Is he like you?”
“In what way?”
“Every.”
He became uneasy. “No, not at all.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means he’s a good guy.”
“And that makes you what then? The villain?”
“In the larger scope of things, yes.”
“Yet you’re here to protect me?”
“Don’t think I’m without my own agenda.”
“And don’t think you’re without compassion either,” I countered. “I saw it in your eyes the other night, at the bar.”
“What?”
“Conflict. Whatever it is that you have planned, you’re still at odds with it. That’s why you didn’t hand me off to your bosses after last night. If there’s anything that I’ve learned in my nearly-seventeen years on this planet, it’s that you still have to possess, even in its smallest degree, a sense of morality if you’re stricken by internal conflict.”
“You give me too much credit.”
“No, I don’t, because I can’t even begin to imagine all the horrible things you’ve done, and I don’t want to. But despite everything, I can still see it for myself that you’re capable of better,” I said.
“I appreciate your confidence in me, but I’m still not sure if I can deliver on that,” he replied.
“You could take a step in the right direction by telling me what all this is about. I can’t imagine that you’d willingly subject yourself to the hells of high school for no good reason,” I remarked lightly.
“What? You don’t think I like going for the fun of it?”
“No, because no one does. The teachers don’t even like going.”
“Yeah, you’ve got me there.”
“So, is this business or pleasure?”
“Regrettably, both.”
“Which is regrettable?”
“I think it’s plainly evident to say that I’m more of an all-play-and-no-work kind of guy. So when I’m under orders, I tend to skew from plan.”
“Which makes me beg the bigger question, what on earth could you possibly see in a sixteen year old that would be so appealing?”
“That a trick question?”
“I’m wholly serious. You’ve lived throughout the course of human history, yet you’re enticed by a mere schoolgirl? I’m not buying it.”
“Well, you should keep in mind that when you’ve been around for as long as I have, you too would find it rather difficult to come across someone else in your real age bracket. Especially one with a pulse,” he chuckled. “And you still severely underestimate yourself. You have no idea just how truly refreshing you really are. I can say in all honesty that I have yet to meet another woman in my time who could manage to be just as equally sportive and feisty as I am, yet also somehow manage to retain her innocence as you have. That’s why I left you the other night. I had presented myself to you under false pretenses, and quite frankly, I think that pill would have been far too bitter for me to swallow if I had sullied you like that... You deserve better.”
“My, my. Seems to me like maybe you’ve been in that body a bit too long, because that sounds like something vaguely resembling humility.”
“No, I’m afraid it’s not the body. This peculiar offense against my prince of darkness nature seems to be a rather recent development, which I blame you for fully, by the way.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ve also been thinking...”
“Uh-oh, that’s never a good sign.”
“About Jane Eyre,” he said. “Why do you think she returned to Thornfield Hall after all that time?”
I looked up at him bemusedly.
“Yes, I know the book,” said Jack, a guilty grin rising to the surface. “Nothing had changed in their relationship since she had left. Her dear Edward Fairfax Rochester hadn’t been able to reach out to her to further apologize for his offenses against her, so what changed her mind?”
“Nothing,” I replied. “She loved him, despite his dishonesty. He never meant her harm in his offenses, and I think that whatever force of nature that compelled her to return to him knew that as well.”
I looked back up at him after some time, still waiting for a reply, but he was without words.
“Jackson Matthews left speechless? I’d never think to imagine such a sight.”
“I’m not interrupting anything here, am I?” said Stacy, practically shoving me out of her way as she cut between Jack and me. “I’d like my date back now.”
“He’s all yours,” I said reluctantly, looking at Jack who was clearly displeased by the intrusion.
I left them for the buffet table and scooped up a cup of punch, which had a bit more kick to it than I had anticipated.
“I can’t believe they came here together,” said Gwen, returning to my side. “You know she asked him to be her date? I mean, how pathetic.”
I would have said something in return, but my attention had been taken hostage by a specific individual on the dance floor.
“Are you okay?” she asked, seeing my eyes begin to tear up.
I nodded weakly, before a surprising smile broke through.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I said, looking over at Jack with a laugh.
“Care to fill me in here?”
I turned to her and gave her a gigantic hug. “Wish me luck.”
“On what?” she asked, scared stiff by my surge.
“On me reclaiming Mr. Rochester,” I chuckled as I released her.
“Babe, what the hell are you talking about?”
“This is me not backing down,” I said, throwing myself into the crowds.
Maneuvering my way through the couples on the dance floor, I took one last inhale to swallow my nerves before diving in heart-first.
“Hey,” I called out, catching his attention so that he turned to me.
Without hesitation, I strode right up to him, my fingers clutching onto the back of his hair as I crushed my mouth against his. I pulled away just enough to look into the most vibrant and stunned green eyes of the most beautiful boy I had ever had the pleasure of seeing.
“H-hi,” Ian stuttered.
“I’m an idiot,” I professed.
He continued to stare at me, completely awestricken. “You’re an idiot for kissing me, or you’re kissing me because you’re an idiot?”
“For not doing this back in March,” I said, locking my lips to his once again.
This time, he returned the gesture. Caressing his hand on my neck, he pulled me in as a hush washed over the immediate space.
“You hear that?” he whispered, parted his lips slowly from mine.
“I don’t hear anything.”
We both took a moment to look out at the rest of the room which was now at a standstill. All eyes were directed upon us.
“I believe that’s the sound of your high school status plummeting,” he replied guiltily.
“If I remember correctly, I said not too long ago that I wasn’t going to shy away from being public about what I loved just because it had been unfairly deemed as unpopular,” I replied. “I have been eating my words a lot lately, but I’ll be damned if I do that to these.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Absolutely nothing. It just took me a little bit longer to figure it all out.”
We kissed again, until a hand fell upon each of our shoulders.
“Excuse me,” said Mr. Randall, pulling us apart, “but you know the rules. Either you keep the appropriate distance between one another, or you’ll both be asked to leave.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” I replied grinningly.
“Yeah, I can’t imagine leaving a more profound impression on the
night than this,” said Ian, extending his arm out to me.
We practically scampered to the door, Gwen catching up to us just as we raced out into the hall.
“Will someone please explain to me what the hell just happened back there?” she called out.
“We’re very sorry, but we’re gonna be heading out early,” said Ian, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind as I turned to look at Gwen.
“Yeah, we had a good time. You did a beautiful job with the decorations,” I replied gaily.
“Right...” remarked Gwen, slowly stepping back inside smilingly. “It took you two long enough.”
“Shall we?” said Ian, directing me to the staircase.
“Absolutely.” I looked him over and smiled. “You look quite dashing this evening, if I may say so.”
Everything from his elegant black brocade tailcoat, red and black tapestry vest, and damask silk puff tie was striking, but what I couldn’t stop staring at most curiously was the stubble shadowed across his jaw. Accompanied with the arresting contrast of his brilliant green eyes to his black filigree mask, he exuded such a rugged sophistication. I had to admit, he was downright sexy.
“And it appears we match,” he said, admiring my black and red gown. “You’re beautiful.”
“Well, I can hardly take credit for that. Thank you, for the dress. You were right. Sheila has good taste.”
“Told you I’d take care of you.”
I pulled him in closer as we walked through the main lobby and rested my head against his shoulder. “Yes, you did.”
He reached into his jacket to pull out his claim ticket when I snatched it from his hand. To his surprise, I handed mine to the valet instead.
“We can pick up the truck later,” I said. “Trust me, you’ll want to take my car.”
He smiled at me curiously. “You got your Baby back?”
“Nope.”
“He didn’t...?”
I nodded.
“The Cutlass?”
“And it’s now entirely up to you as to where you want to take her,” I said, drawing him in by the lapels on his jacket. “One condition.”
“Speak it.”
“We ride with the top down.”
He nodded and grinned roguishly. “I have an idea where we can go.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Unh-unh, it’s a surprise,” he said, pulling out his cell. “Give me a minute.”
Ian strolled outside and walked down the front steps before dialing in the number. I waited comfortably inside, still shielding myself from the cool autumn air.
“Excuse me, miss?” called out the receptionist at the front desk, beckoning me over. “You have a call.”
I looked around to make sure she was referring to me. No one other than a few businessmen was present, so I picked up the receiver she had resting on the counter.
“See, I told you he was a threat,” said the voice on the other line before I even had the chance to say a word.
I smiled, immediately feeling his presence nearby. Sure enough, I turned toward the dual staircases to see Jack leaning against the banister at the very top, his cell pressed against his ear.
“You said his friendship makes you happy.”
“Indeed it does,” I gladly replied.
“So what inspired you to extend a more profound invitation his way?”
“'Love to faults is always blind, always is to joy inclined. Lawless, winged, and unconfined, and breaks all chains from every mind,'” I recited grinningly. “And it doesn’t hurt that he has one hell of a kiss.”
He chuckled. “Ah, my dear Shakespeare. I knew I shouldn’t have been so demure. If I hadn’t, we may have been having a different conversation all together.”
“I like the one we’re having. But I am sorry.”
“I meant what I said. You deserve better. You deserve to be happy, even if the time for that is fleeting,” he replied gravely. “There’s a storm brewing. You can feel it, too.”
“Are you going to tell me what I’m up against here?”
I could hear a slight smirk in his voice when he replied, “I may be a bastard, but I’m not that cruel. Not to you. And not tonight. Tonight, you deserve to be normal.”
I smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
“Have a good night.”
He didn’t wait for a reply. Jack simply closed his cell and nodded to me before heading back to the banquet hall.
“Car’s here,” said Ian, bouncing up the steps to greet me at the door.
“Sure you can handle her?” I asked as he ushered me into the passenger seat.
He pulled the top down. “Just you wait and see.”
Easing out of the lot, we rolled down the open path all the way back to Main Street. The pedestrians on the sidewalks were still dressed in Knight’s Athletic wear, and some even waved VICTORY signs at the cars passing by. Breaking free from the parading traffic, Ian pulled the Cutlass onto Van Dorian, and we rode the trek through the woods.
Assured by the isolation and the brief straight stretch of road, I turned up the volume on the radio and rose from my seat.
“Are you crazy?” he chuckled, seeing me spread my arms out like wings as I stood up.
I kicked my head back, and let my skin sink in the chilling winds rushing over the windshield. “You noticed?”
The leaves overhead burned under the scarce streetlamps, all their bright hues alight like torches guiding us our way. Every muscle is my body eased before a burst of adrenalin ignited, sending me into a blissful freefall with no ground in sight. I howled out as the wind soared under my arms, making me feel weightless in the October air. In spite of all the external tribulations, both present and to come, I had found, for the very first moment in my life, true serenity. I had found happiness. Or maybe he had found me.
The Cutlass pulled into the entrance at the mall where there were only a few cars scattered across the parking lot. Ian claimed a space in the front row and opened the passenger door for me before putting the car’s top back up. Racing into the entrance, we hollered out gaily into the empty spaces of the desolate main building.
With no fear of foot traffic, I kicked off my heels and we ran all out through the shopping center. Trotting down the enclosed stone staircases to the third level, we passed Gate House Records and Ian took me to the end of the shopping square that backed the woods. He jumped over the gate that blocked the entrance to a small dirt trail leading deeper into the forest.
“Ian, what are you doing?” I asked, taking notice to the sign posted across the barrier. “This is private property.”
“You trust me?”
I nodded.
“Then come on,” he said, unlatching the lock and pulling the gate open.
I linked my arm around his, and he directed me down the path into the woods after closing the barrier behind us. Visibility worsened the further we headed, but I could still see small stone blocks on the grass beside the trail. My embrace on him tightened when I made out the towering silhouettes just down the way.
“It’s okay,” he whispered. “They’re just statues.”
I realized where we were. A graveyard. “Ian...?”
Thin droplets of light burned through the thicket of trees ahead of us. A curtain of willow branches draped over a ruined archway.
“Ready?” he said, pulling it all back.
I stepped through, only able to gape in awe at the overwhelming splendor of a cobblestone relic courtyard to a ruined church glowing warmly under dozens of string lights hanging in the looming tree branches overhead. Complete with a basin cast stone fountain, it was nothing short of heavenly. Otherworldly. Ian went over and grabbed a remote control sitting on a nearby stone bench. With a tap to the device, an angelic piano ballad began to play throughout the courtyard.
I looked overhead, taking notice to the half dozen speakers mounted into the trees. “When did you do all of this?”
“Today, with the help of Jerry.”
I turned to Ian as he approached. “How did you know...?”
“I didn’t,” he said blushingly, “but I thought that if there was even the slightest chance that you’d pick me, I didn’t want to be unprepared. This time, I’d do it right. I’d sweep you off your feet for good.”
He extended his hand to me and pulled me in close as I took his offer. Taking my right hand into his left, he placed his other hand on my small of my back as I hooked mine onto his shoulder. The beat guided each of our steps as Ian led me into a slow dance, the two of us swaying back and forth harmoniously to the melody. Ian backed away and spun me around, dipping me down as I returned to face him. He leaned in closer, but I pressed my finger against his lips. Drawing my hands up over the back of his shoulders, I pulled the strings to his mask loose.
“I want to see you,” I said, removing it from his face.
“What do you see?”
“My best friend.”
“With quite the collection of battle wounds,” he said wincingly as I looked at his beaten cheek that had been so cleverly concealed behind the mask.
“It adds character.”
He removed my mask as well. “Trust me, I’m already riddled with it.”
“Undoubtedly, and that’s what I love about you.”
Sweeping me into his arms and leaning me back, he kissed me. Long and proper. We both dropped the masks in our hands, pulling one another in as close as we could once he brought me back up.
Ian looked down at me, soaking in every ounce of my being. “You scared?”
“Terrified.”
“Why?”
“Because, good guys aren’t supposed to kiss like that,” I replied, all too smilingly.
“Really?” he said, brushing his lips across my cheek grinningly. “Well, I’m sorry, but that’s not gonna change.”
“Oh, I’m not arguing.”
Suddenly, a knot wrenched inside my stomach, and Ian too reacted to the swift sense of menace that swooped into the atmosphere as the music quieted.
Chapter 36
Dance With the Devil
The church walls resonated with a slow, beating clap. Our hearts dropped as we turned to the entrance. Ian and I started backing away, hearing a voice echoing from inside.
Divine Vices Page 32