A Controller's Destiny (Unit Matched #3) (9 page)

Graham’s face remains like stone. He’s staring at me. I can’t feel any emotion from him now. It’s like he closed himself off.

“You’re supposed to be all knowing, right?”

“I don’t think that’s the correct term.” I roll my eyes at him. “I just have the powers.”

“You can read my mind, though. Oliver said you can.”

I nod. “I can, but I don’t because I don’t like knowing what people think all the time. It makes me feel like an intruder.” I drop my head and kick the snow around my boots.

“Shorty.”

I don’t look up. I don’t want to.

“Gia.” Graham grabs me and pulls me to him. He places his hand under my chin and makes me lift my head.

“When we go meet with Zane, you need to read his mind. We need the upper hand on this one. I know that you don’t want to, but you need to. It’ll save you. I know it will.”

I nod. “Okay, I promise.”

“And don’t you dare go without me. I want your word.” He narrows his eyes at me.

I nod again. “I swear. I promise.”

Graham hugs me close. I close my eyes and relax around him. This has been the most intimate that we’ve ever been. Except that time that we were asleep on the couch, but he doesn’t talk about that.

He rubs his hand up and down my back. I can’t really feel it because of my thick sweatshirt and my large winter coat, but it still makes me feel safe.

“Let’s get back to the house.”

“You can go to Xaviera’s and eat. I’m sure she and Amaya made plenty.”

“No,” he states firmly. “I want to go home with you.”

I didn’t argue because I want that, too. I only nod and we continue down the hill, through town, and back to our house.

I shed my coat and boots at the door and head to my bedroom. I take a hot shower, hoping that it raises my body temperature. I hadn’t noticed how cold I was until I came inside.

I grab a sweatshirt and matching sweats before crawling in the bed. I need to call Mom and tell her everything that’s happened, but I’m too tired right now.

I have the golden book on my nightstand. I pick it up and flip through the pages again, reading all the new words on the pages. I know that Graham is right, that ‘die’ doesn’t appear anywhere, but I know it. I can feel it. For twelve years, I’ve prepared myself for this moment. Mom has told me over and over again. It will happen.

I glance through Graham’s timeline again. He’s going to own the family business. He’s going to have three great boys that will be law abiding Unit citizens and help JJ through the uniting of clans. He’s going to be so proud.

I shut the book and turn off my light. I snuggle deeper into comforter and close my eyes. I know that it’s still early, but I’m tired and I have to work tomorrow. Sleep takes me over and the thoughts of the prophecy drift away.

Chapter 10

Meeting Dear Old Dad

I’m burning up.

I’m sweating.

I pop open my eyes and see that I’m still in my room. Someone’s arms are locked around me, and I’m buried against his chest.

I peek up and see Graham’s handsome face.

My heart goes into over drive.

He’s in my bed.

Well,
our
bed.

He’s never in this bed.

He’s never in this room.

Like the day on the couch, I study his face. He’s so handsome. I bet his boys will look like him. I can almost picture three small boys wrestling with him. All matching dark, thick hair and big, dark eyes.

My heart twist in pain wishing that it was with me. I shouldn’t think that. My life’s destiny is meant for this. I’m going to help save Unit and our future race.

I’m tempted, again, to kiss his lips as I did when he was asleep in the chair. I softly and slowly move my hand up to his cheek. The stubble is rough, but his skin is soft as the pad of my thumb rubs under his eye. Graham stirs at my touch, but doesn’t wake. I drop my hand and curl up closer to him.

I close my eyes again. I don’t know what time it is, but I don’t want to move. I want to remain here with him. I know I can’t and I need to get up. But, not yet.

I feel Graham begin to move and, like last time, I quickly pretend to be asleep. I feel him pushing my hair back and kissing my forehead. His lips feel so good on my skin.

“You can stop pretending now.”

I look up at him.

“Good morning.” His voice is sexy in the morning.

“You slept in this bed,” I blurt out.

He nods. “It’s more comfortable than the other.”

He doesn’t go on into any further details. He leaves it at that. I stare at him for a moment hoping that he does explain, but he says nothing.

“What time is it?”

“I spoke to Xaviera last night. She made sure that you were off today. I called Dad and told him that I wouldn’t be in either. I want you to call Zane. The sooner we can meet, the sooner we can work out our strategy.”

I prop up on my elbow. “Today?”

“Shorty, I’m not going to let anything happen to you, but we need a game plan.”

I know that deep down, he’s right. We need a game plan to make sure that everyone else is safe, too. I nod.

“I’ll call him now.”

I leave his arms and sit up. I grab my cell and call him. I know the number by heart because I have looked at the card so many times. I hit speaker. I know Graham will want to hear, too.

“Hello, Daughter. How is the morning sun in Unit?”

“I want that meeting.” There’s the courage again. It’s back. “Today.”

“I can tell that you have taken my advice and read more of the book.”

“Today, Zane.” I demand.

“How about some breakfast? The pancake house in about an hour or so.”

“Fine, and I am bringing my Matched.”

“That’s perfectly acceptable. See you soon, Daughter.”

I disconnect the call and look at him. “Looks like we need to get ready.”

~~~

Graham parks the truck near the restaurant and holds my hand as we walk in. Zane and a female companion sit in the back corner.

My mouth drops and I look at Graham, who’s not even flinched yet. He leads me to the table and pulls my chair out.

“Hello, Mrs. Roberts. I must say I’m surprised that you’re here.” I let the courage come to the forefront again as I stare at Amaya’s mother.

“Gia. Graham. How’s my daughter?”

“Better, now that you’re gone.” Graham answers.

Mrs. Roberts says nothing, but holds a sneer on her face.

“Graham, I’m Zane. I’m Gia’s father.” He holds his hand out, but Graham doesn’t take it. “I see manners are still priority in Unit.” He says sarcastically and drops his hand. “Now, Daughter, how are you?”

“I can barely contain my enthusiasm,
Daddy
.” I curl my lip at him.

Zane laughs. “Oh, Gia, I see you have my humor. I’m glad that you have something from me, besides my eyes. I take you’ve read the book.”

I took a deep breath and opened my mind. I promised Graham I would. I connect with his eyes. I see nothing.

“We have, but how did you know.”

“I have the copy that my grandmother gave me when I was banished. She thought that I should know what I had really done.” He rolls his eyes. “Little did she know that it was the fuel to my fire.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, I hate Unit and I never knew the prophecy was about me or you, for that matter. Once I had that, I made my way down to Georgia because I knew that they need a true leader, and it was going to me. Now, look at me.” He holds his arms out wide again. “I have the strongest clan in the world.”

“No, you don’t.” I growl at him. “Didn’t you read that part where you die?”

“No, I read the part where you lose your soul. How old were you when they told you?”

“Eight,” I tell him honestly.

“So young.” He closes his eyes, but I can tell that he’s thinking of a memory. I can’t see it though. When he opens his eyes, I’m connected with him again.

“I’ve come to terms with me dying. I guess you’re still in denial.” I try to continue to read his mind, but it’s blank.

“Not everything is set in stone. That book will change daily. Well, parts of it. The timelines change.”

I gasp. “What do you mean?”

He smirks at me. “The prophecy remains that same. I’m trying to figure out a way to change it. However, the timeline changes with each decision that you make.”

“Why are you telling her this?” Mrs. Roberts whispers to him in anger.

He waves his hand at her.

“This might not be on May fourteenth, then?” I ask.

“Oh no, it will be because that’s the day Xaviera’s due, and I need that baby.”

“You want to turn him evil.” I’m not going to let that happen.

“The baby is the key to unite the clans. In turn, I will be in control,” he sneers at me.

“You want him to be your puppet. You want him for evil.” I have a bad taste in my mouth that he could turn this innocent, sweet child.

“All you have to do is take the child, once she gives birth, and with your powers and the strength of the child, we can rule the world.” He leans in so close that I can smell his overpriced after-shave.

“You want me to steal my Royal’s baby and join you?”

“Graham,” he smiles at him not answering me, even though I knew the answer. “You’re more than welcome to join us, as well.”

“Go to hell,” Graham grits at him.

Zane continues to smile. “What do you say, Daughter? I’m very rich. You wouldn’t have to be a measly teacher with low pay. I can give you everything and anything you desire.”

My stomach flips in disgust for him. I have this man’s blood in me. He’s my father and pure malicious evil oozes from him.

I connect with him one more time and I’m able to see him.

The true him.

I see his order to the Protectors to steal from the weak and elderly. I see him use Controllers to get the drugs on the streets. I see him with a constant flow of women in and out of his life, including Mrs. Roberts.

The bile is in my mouth and I jerk my connection from him. I can’t breathe and I want to throw up right there.

“Like what you see?” He licks his lips and I grab Graham’s arm to hold him back from killing him.

“Graham’s right. You need to go to hell. There’s no way in this world I would ever join you and I will take pleasure in killing you.” I’ve never been more determined in my life than as I am at this moment. He’s ruining everything that Mother Nature gave us. Our gifts are for good, never bad.

“Daughter, I hate to see you not joining us. I can honestly say that I will take no pleasure in taking your soul.”

For a brief second, I see that he’s telling the truth.

“You know, I care for you mother.” He nods.

“But, then you cheated on her.” I remind him.

He waves his hand as if it’s a minor detail. He points to Graham and then me. “I can see the love in your eyes.”

I hold my breath. He’s toying with us. I can feel it.

He leans in closer to us. His hazel eyes are still bouncing between us. “I knew this was my destiny.”

“Destroying a whole race of people is your destiny?” Graham asks.

Zane chuckles. “Uniting. Not destroying.”

“I’m with Graham on this one. This isn’t what Mother Nature wants.” I try a different tactic. “You couldn’t have been this way your whole life. You must have had good in you at some point.”

“I’m still good. Just a different shade.” He purses his lips at me.

“Zane, you know how this end. I‘ve turned down your offer. That means the prophecy hasn’t changed. You know how it ends.” I try to plead with him to see if he would change his mind in some way.

He stares at me. “You know how it ends, too.” He looks at Mrs. Roberts. “Let’s leave.”

All four of us stand.

“Gia.” Zane takes a deep breath. “Please take this time and live your life to fullest. As I said, I take no pleasure in taking your soul. I’ll see you soon, Graham.” He nods at him, tosses some money on the table, and they leave.

Chapter 11

The Matched Truth

I sit at my kitchen table looking at the pages of the golden book again.

Nothing had changed.

Zane has to be lying. He’s playing with my emotions.

I close my eyes. My life is becoming more chaotic and I can’t stand it. I knew that it would happen one day, but I thought I would have a better handle on it than I do.

I lay my head on the table, trying to clear my mind, when I think my first date with Graham.

~~~

I changed my clothes at least ten times, and finally settled on gray slacks and a purple cap sleeve blouse. I’m not like Xaviera and how she is with her shoes. I picked flats.

Graham hadn’t told me where we were going, and I hoped this would be dressy enough and causal enough for whatever was happening.

I didn’t tell the girls that tonight was my first date. They would have made a huge deal and my nerves were bad enough already.

I expected Graham to pull up in his monstrous truck; instead, he arrived in a small sports car. I had been standing on my porch when he got out of the vehicle.

“I was going to come to the door, Shorty.”

I shake my head. “It’s okay. Mom isn’t home anyway.”

“I take it that you’re ready then, huh?”

I nod.

“Okay.”

He walks over to the sleek silver Ferrari and opens the door for me.

“Where’s the truck?” I question him when he pulls out of my driveway.

“At the house. I didn’t think you wanted to climb into it again. Plus, my dad doesn’t let me drive this often, so I used you as an excuse.” He winks at me.

I fidget with my hands in my lap. “Where are we going?”

“Thought we head over the state line. There’s a great small little club I helped work on. That okay?”

“Sounds great.” I had no clue if it was okay or not. I’ve never been on a date. I need to calm my nerves in some way before I explode. “How was work?” I figured that’s an easy topic to discuss.

“Not horribly exciting because I worked in the office with my mom today. It’s so boring in there. But, Dad wants me know every part of the business and that’s part of it.” He shrugs. “What did you do today?”

“Homework. I’m taking an overload of classes because the girls and I are graduating in December.”

“Graduating early? Wow. What’s your major?”

“Education. I want to be a teacher.”

“Really? You want to work in Unit?”

“I would like to, but jobs here are a little hard to get. Although, Queen Stacy told me that several teachers are on the verge of retiring. I
might
be able to apply.” I tell him quietly.

“If that’s what you want to do, then you go for it.” He says forcefully. His tone makes me shrink closer to the door.

“Did you go to college?” I deflect the attention back to him.

“Just a two-year school. I did it for my mom because she wanted my brother and me to be college graduates. I went for electronics, but I mainly slept through classes because they were so boring. I knew that I would work with Dad and knew how to do all of that already,” he shrugs.

Graham crosses the state line into New York and quickly exits off the interstate. He drives about five minutes to a small shack-like building.

“Graham.” My heart races at the dilapidated-looking building. “This looks like something out of a horror movie.” I begin to shake.

“Shorty, I promise this is a restaurant and not a horror movie. I’m a Protector and nothing is going to happen to you.”

I look into his big dark eyes and nod. I knew that he was telling the truth. I could feel it. I finally nod, and he gets out. When he comes over to my side, he opens my door. Graham holds out his hand. I look at it, but place my hand gingerly in his. His hands are rough, and my hand looks so tiny in his. I knew I was petite, but I was like a miniature toy next to him.

I don’t have time to process the fact that I’m holding hands with a guy for the first time before we rush into the restaurant.

It’s packed. There are wall-to-wall people. The atmosphere is loud, but the music is captivating. It’s like R&B with a mix of rock. It makes me grin. I bite down on my lip. As the hostess leads us to a small table in the back, we pass the live band and the dance floor.

Graham pulls out my chair and his chair is very close to mine. Our table is small. I’m not even sure two plates can fit on this table.

“I know it’s a little loud, but it’s got the best food.” Graham’s close to my ear and he could almost kiss my cheek.

“So, here’s the menu. You can pick three to five items and it come out on a platter. It’s like a small buffet. I’m really hoping you don’t have some strange food allergies or anything like that.”

I shake my head. “No, that actually sounds pretty neat.”

“Here’s the menu.” He holds it out to me. He puts his arm around my chair, but doesn’t touch me. “You pick.”

I look at the list of about twelve items.

“What if I pick something you don’t like?”

Graham smirks. “You’ll be fine.”

“Hey, how about you pick two and I pick two?”

“A compromise?”

I nod.

“All right, I always pick fried mushrooms and boneless chicken wings with mild sauce.”

I look at the rest of the list. “Fried green beans and cheese sticks?”

“Are you sure? Because you don’t sound like it.” He leans in closer.

I nod again. “I’m sure and a water.”

He grins and calls the waitress over. He orders and she leaves.

I look at the band and the dance floor. Everyone is dancing, laughing, and it looks like the greatest time.

“Do you dance?” I ask him.

“Not very well. My mom taught us a little, but I kind of suck. What about you?”

I shook my head. There’s no way that I’m going to tell him that I dance. That’s my secret. I lean back in my seat and I feel his arm. I bolt upright. “Sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.” He removes his arm. “That’s my fault. I didn’t mean to be so close to you.”

I rub the back of my neck and cross my arms over my chest as if I’m trying to contain my nerves.

We both listen to the music and the food comes. We dive in and everything is delicious. I try to be lady-like as possible, but it’s not always easy with finger food. When I asked Graham about utensils, he laughs. I blush deeply. He hands me a bunch of napkins.

Once the food is gone and Graham pays for the bill, we leave. He holds my hand the whole drive home.

“I’m sorry we’re not staying out longer, but I have to be to work early.” He walks me up to the door.

“It’s fine. I had great time.” I try to stay calm as we’re both on the porch.

Is he going to kiss me?

Is he not?

He doesn’t. He opens the screen door. “I’ll text you tomorrow,” and releases my hand.

~~~

“Shorty.”

I look up to Graham.

“Why are you crying?”

“Just thinking.”

He sits next to me at the table. “Are you hungry? You want something to drink?”

I look back out the window, and it’s dark out.

“I think I’m going to go to bed.” I stand up.

Graham grabs my hand and pulls me onto his lap. My eyes go wide and my breathing stops. We’ve never done this.

“Please, don’t go to bed right now. I want you to stay here.” Graham’s face is in pain. “Has anything changed in the book?”

“No. Everything is still the same. Why?”

Graham doesn’t say anything.

“I need to tell Amaya that I saw her mom today.”

“I already went over there and talked all of them. You looked like you were in deep thought and I didn’t want to disturb you.” Grahams pulls me closer to him.

“Thanks.” I nod. “I don’t think I can handle all their emotions and questions right now.”

“I know.” His lips twitch at the corners.

Both of my hands are laying on the bicep that’s in front of me. His body heat is rising, and it’s as if he’s my own personal heater.

“What were you thinking about?”

“Us.” I mouth to him.

“What about us?”

“Everything. Anything. I was actually thinking about our first date.”

“The Club.” He tries to hold back a smile, but it doesn’t work.

“The Club,” I confirm.

We sit there for a moment in silence, both reliving the memory of our first date when Graham asks, “Shorty, what’s on your bucket list?”

I lean back. “Bucket list?”

“I’m not… I’m not trying to think about the
end
. Because I still don’t think that it will happen, but something that Zane said made me think.” He shifts in his seat, adjusting me on his lap. “If I had a few months… left, I would want to live it to my fullest.” I watch Graham’s throat move and I feel his sadness again. “I want to do that for you. Whatever you want, wherever you want to go, it doesn’t matter. I’ll make it happen. Name it.”

I tilt my head to him. The tears build around the rim of my eyes.

“You’ve had twelve years to think about it, so tell me. I’ll make it happen.”

The first tear slides my cheek. Graham softly brushes it away. I look in his dark eyes and there’s tears peaking at the corners.

I already made a promise to be honest with him. Here it goes.

“I want you to be happy. I’ve grown to care about you, and I don’t want this to weigh on you. I’ve seen your timeline. I want that to remain true. I don’t want that to change.” The tears roll faster. “I’m sorry you got Matched with me.”

“Stop saying that. I’m not sorry. Not a single bit.” He looks up to the ceiling like he’s frustrated at me. “I wouldn’t change a single second of our Matched. Do you even know what you mean to me?”

I scoff before I can stop myself. “Sorry, but you haven’t been that forthcoming.”

“Shorty, you do mean a lot to me. I’m not lying. Pick through my head if you think I am lying.”

“I know you care about me, Graham. I’ve never doubted that. But, can you honestly say that you’re happy. I mean our relationship is nothing like our Pairs.” I don’t want to compare ours to theirs but in this case, it’s true.

“What? You want a Matched like Deus and O? Please, those boys have serious issues,” he chuckles.

“And you don’t think you do?” I whisper. “I mean, look at us.”

“What’s wrong with us?” he looks puzzled.

“Graham,” my mouth drops because I’m at a loss for words.

“What, Shorty? Tell me.”

My face is beet red. I think I can feel flames about to burst from my cheek.

“Tell me,” he presses on.

“We aren’t like them. We’ve never done… stuff. We’ve only kissed once and you don’t even sleep in the same room as me. You barely touch me.”

He sits back and looks shocked. “So, because I’m not sticking my tongue down your throat every five minutes or having sex with you on every surface of the house, I automatically don’t care about you. And I’m touching you right now. Or is someone else sitting in my lap.”

I shake my head. “I thought that maybe
something
would have happened by now.” I look down, my hair shielding my face. “Why don’t you at least sleep in the bed with me?”

“I slept with you.”

“Once.”

“We fell asleep on the couch.”

“Once.” I repeat again.

“Shorty.” He looks back up to the ceiling and I wonder if he’s mad at me.

“Is it… is it because I’m not pretty like Xaviera and Amaya?” I stammer on the question.

“What? You seriously did not just ask me that.” Graham’s jaw is clenched tight as he hisses out the words.

“Look at me compared to them. I’m not tall, or curvy, and I don’t dress like them. They’re better at fashion than I am.”

Graham jumps from his seat, causing me to yelp, and he drags me up to my bathroom. I’m so startled that I can’t even react. He slams the door shut and turns me around to face the full length mirror that hangs on the back of the door. He places my hands on either side of the mirror and his hands are on top of mine.

“Look up. Look in the mirror.” His chest is pressing against my back. My chest is heaving. “Look, Gia.” He’s close to my cheek.

I raise my head and my eyes connect with him.

“No, look at yourself.”

I lower my eyes, and glance at myself, but turn my head away quickly. I turn away because I’m embarrassed, nervous, and a little turned on.

“No. Look.”

I give in and lift my head again. My ebony hair is hanging around me. My bangs sweep across my forehead. My hazel eyes are wide and my cheeks are red. My lips are full and a soft pink.