Inferno Anthology (291 page)

I smiled at his surprised voice. “Not very often. Around here, people usually hire nannies. But the Marvins’ nanny fell down the stairs earlier and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Mrs. Marvin is friends with my mom, so she called and asked for a favor.” I paused briefly before continuing. “How are you doing? You never called me after you left yesterday. I texted you, but you didn’t text back.”

Again, a heavy pause rested between us. “I…I nneeded to think about ssome things.”

My accelerating heart rate didn’t like the sound of that. Had he decided he wasn’t interested in me anymore? Panic fluttered inside me. “Is everything okay?” Slowly, I sank to the arm of the sofa.

“We nneed to ttalk,” he responded.

Oh my gosh. He was going to break up with me! Immediately, my eyes flooded with tears. “All right,” I said much more calmly than I felt. “When?”

“Ssoon. Really ssoon.” There was a sudden click and the line went dead. Lifting the phone away from my ear, I saw the call had been disconnected. I dropped my hand into my lap as I slid off the arm of the couch to the seat, curling my knees up tightly under my chin.

The house was so quiet I could hear the grandfather clock ticking away, each second my heart growing heavier and heavier with trepidation. Something was obviously wrong, but even as I grew more worried with every passing moment, I became even more painfully aware of something else.

Yes, I’d spent the last year infatuated with Six. And even though the lust factor between us was off the charts, there was something inside me growing much stronger—something I’d never felt like this before. I was falling head over heels in love with him. But judging from our short conversation tonight, he wasn’t feeling the same way.

The rational side of my brain told me to stay calm and listen to what he had to say. My emotions, however, dictated I jump into my car and race across town to his apartment and bang down his door until he let me in and explained everything.

I couldn’t lose him.

Unable to stand sitting there any longer, I stood and paced over to the window, staring out in hopes of seeing the Marvin’s coming home. Instead, I saw something else that surprised me completely. Six was at the end of the driveway standing outside the gate, bending to study the buttons on the keypad. Rushing over to the security system, I pushed the button that allowed him access before hurrying back to the front door and closing it behind me.

“Six!” I called, waving to him. He stared at me as he slowly walked up the driveway, not returning my gesture. Something was definitely wrong, especially if he was risking coming in the front gate and being seen by people. “Where’s your car?” I asked when he was next to me.

“Brandon dropped me off.” I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

“How’d you know which house to come to?”

“You ssaid you were next door. The other house iss dark.” He wavered slightly.

Reaching out, I linked my arm through his. “You’re really drunk. Come on. Let’s sit you down. Please try to keep your voice down. The baby is sleeping.” I guided him back inside and led him over to the couch. Once he was settled, I sat beside him. “What’s going on?”

Sighing heavily, he leaned his head against the back of the couch, turning to look at me. I held my breath in anticipation, waiting for him to lower the hammer.

“I overheard something…by accident.”

Okay. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. “I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Yessterday. When I left. I heard your dad on the phone.”

This was about my dad? Briefly, my heart relaxed. Maybe this had nothing to do with me. Immediately, it clenched, again. But why would Six be so upset if it didn’t?
Did Dad know about us?
“Go on,” I encouraged him.

He sighed, again, grabbing my hand and squeezing it tightly. “I don’t know how to tell you thiss. I don’t want to hhurt you.”

Now I was getting scared. “Just say it.”

His eyes never left mine. “I th…think your dad might’ve been the one who killed Tommy.”

Cold prickles raced over my skin as my heart started thudding harder. “What?” It was the only word I could manage.

“He was talking to ssomeone, telling them to destroy the evidence. He said if word got out that…that the ccar that killed Tommy can be traced to hhim his career would b…be over.”

Dread ran through my veins, a sickening thud pounding in my chest. My dad…he wouldn’t…he couldn’t, could he? If this was true, then he was much more dangerous than I ever thought he was. “You need to go, now!” I said to Six, pushing at him to get him to move.

“I…I know you’re angry, but pplease. I only meant to wwarn you.” Hurt was plainly evident in his eyes.

“I’m not upset with you, Six, but if what you’re telling me is true, then we can’t see each other anymore. Don’t you get that? If my dad can do this to my brother, then what might he try to do to you? You have to leave. We can’t do anything to anger him.” Standing, I grabbed his hand and attempted to pull him up, but he didn’t budge.

“You…you really think I would g…go and leave you behind with someone who might be a killer?” He yanked on my arm, pulling me down on top of him. I could smell the alcohol on his breath as he cupped my face in his hands. “Run away with me.” He stated this with perfect clarity and I could see the sincerity in his eyes.

“How would that help anything?” I asked, softly. “Do you think my dad would just let me go? That he wouldn’t search for me?”

“It would help because I…I’d know you were safe. We could go to Mexico and get m…married.”

Despite what he’d just told me, I couldn’t help my smile. “While I love that you want to take care of me—and I’m pretty sure I’d love being married to you—I refuse to accept any proposals from you while you’re drunk. I’m not sure you’re going to remember any of this later.” Briefly, I kissed his lips and got off before he could get me too entangled with him. “I’m going to make you some coffee, now. You need to get sobered up.”

Leaving him on the couch, I hurried into the kitchen, quickly opening their cupboards as I searched for coffee. My thoughts wandered to Tommy and what he could possibly have done that would have made him a threat to my dad. Tears welled in my vision as I set the pot up to brew. I couldn’t wrap my head around this information. There was still this niggling doubt of hope inside me, that perhaps Six was just drunk and confused—saying things he didn’t really mean. After all, he had just suggested we run away to Mexico and get married. Was it bad, that for one second, I thought it sounded like a brilliant plan?

Warm strong arms slipped around me from behind, the weight of his chin resting on the top of my head. “I’m sorry I drank too much. All I could think about was that you’re living with a…a—,”

“Sh!” I replied, turning to place my finger over his lips. “Don’t say it.”

“B…but you believe me, don’t you?” His eyes widened as he stared at me.

“I believe you, but I also need to try to find out what happened. If my dad did, in fact, kill Tommy, then he needs to be turned over to the authorities. We’re going to need to find some proof.”

Six sighed, releasing me and walking to sit on one of the barstools next to the granite island. “I think that sounds too…too dangerous.”

“He has no reason to suspect that I know anything. I’m beneath suspicion right now. I can look around in places others can’t—both at home and at his office. He always wants me there to help do things with his campaign. I’ll pay extra attention—listen carefully—maybe I can get hold of his phone and find out who he received calls from on Sunday.”

Silence settled between us until the coffee pot beeped, signaling it was finished. Fishing a mug from the cupboard, I poured a cup and carried it to the bar, setting it in front of him.

Sliding into the barstool beside him, I propped my elbows on the granite surface, resting my head in my palms. When did my life become so complicated? I’d always followed the rules, always gone with the flow. Then I met Six, and everything seemed to be turning upside down. I was sneaking around, and that sneaking around had now revealed something terrible I’d never even dreamed possible. Was my whole life a sham? Did my mom know anything about my dad and his possible transgression?

I’d have never known any of this if it hadn’t been for hooking up with Six, but still, even with this news, I wouldn’t change it. I couldn’t think of one time that I’d ever felt so…happy. He made me feel happy, wanted, not just an object set aside, only used when needed.

Long minutes passed, both of us lost in our own thoughts, while Six drank his coffee. As soon as he was done, I poured him another cup and sat down beside him, again.

“I wish my dad could just be like other normal dads—family oriented and caring about people. I hate that I can’t just tell him I’m dating someone and trust him to be okay with it.”

Six snorted. “Sweetheart, I’m not sure any dad would be comfortable with me dating their daughter.”

I was happy to see the slurring words disappearing. “Bailey’s dad would.”

“Bailey’s dad isn’t being a real dad, either. He’s throwing money at her and letting her do whatever she wants so he doesn’t have to deal with her.”

“Still. It has to be better than living with a control freak, not to mention he may be a psycho control freak.”

“Promise me one thing, please.”

“What?” I asked, turning to stare at him. “If you ever feel you’re in even the slightest amount of danger, you’ll call me. I don’t care where I am or what I’m doing; I’ll drop everything to make sure you’re safe.”

Normally, I would feel his request was overdramatic, but if it was true—if my dad had killed Tommy…I let that thought and its implications dwindle.

“I promise,” I replied and he sighed, seeming relieved.

“Is there anyone else you trust that you could talk to about this? Maybe your mom?”

I shook my head. “No. Not my mom. But there is someone else I trust and I’m positive she will help.”

“Brooklyn! What a surprise!” Dee Dee said as she opened the door and smiled widely, stepping forward to hug Brooklyn before glancing at me. “And Six! What are you doing here?” She embraced me, as well, and then stepping back, glanced at the two of us. “I have to say, I never thought I’d see the two of you darkening my door, together.”

“I’m sorry to drop by so late,” Brooklyn apologized. “But I was babysitting for a neighbor until a few minutes ago and I had to talk to you about something before I went home.”

Dee Dee opened the door wider. “Please, come in and sit down. It’s so nice to see you both.”

A pang of regret whisked through me as we entered the small, but comfortable home. I hadn’t attended Tommy’s funeral and I’d given no thought to checking in on his mom. I’d only met her on a few occasions, before Tommy had moved into his own place. Unfortunately, she’d never crossed my mind afterward. Not until now.

I’d always thought she was a nice lady, and Brooklyn said she trusted her, so I was going to need to trust her, as well. I was a bit nervous about coming here. Up to this point, only Bailey knew of our secret relationship. Now, we were about to take someone else into our confidence. I sincerely hoped Brooklyn was right about her.

“So, how are you both?” Dee Dee asked after we were seated. Pushing a strand of her long dark hair over her shoulder, her brown eyes sparkled as they moved back and forth between us. She was a beautiful woman, and I had no problem understanding why the mayor had been attracted to her. “I didn’t even know you knew each other.”

Brooklyn smiled and glanced at me. “We knew of each other because of Tommy. Six is my…we are….”

“I’m her boyfriend,” I supplied, slipping my hand into hers, intertwining our fingers together and glancing back at Dee Dee.

Dee Dee smiled widely. “Well, now I’m really surprised.”

“I’ve had my eye on her for a while,” I answered honestly. “But when I asked Tommy about her initially, she was only sixteen. I decided I’d just have to forget about her and move on because she was too young.”

“And now?” Dee Dee prompted, glancing between us.

Brooklyn and I stared at each other. “I got tired of fighting my attraction to her. When I found out she’d like me for a while, too, I couldn’t resist her charm any longer.” I winked at Brooklyn and she smiled sweetly, blushing.

“He’s been so good to me,” she said, turning back to Dee Dee, and I had to force myself not to chuckle. I hadn’t had the chance to do much with her other than stealing make out sessions and having sex, but at least she thought it was good. The thought depressed me a little as I thought about all the things I’d like to be able to do for her or with her—things our secret relationship didn’t allow. I needed to figure out other ways to do nice things for her. I wanted to give her a real romance, not just a pattern of sneaking around to hook up.

“And what does your dad have to say about this relationship?” Dee Dee asked.

Brooklyn sighed and glanced at me. I squeezed her hand. “He doesn’t know,” she answered honestly. “He’d never let me date someone like Six. He doesn’t like anyone who’s a friend of Tommy’s.”

“I’m not even sure he liked Tommy, either,” Dee Dee said. “Tommy refused to be controlled, and Scott is all about controlling people. I imagine things have been a little hard for the two of you.”

“We do a lot of sneaking around, I’m afraid,” I replied. “I hate it being that way, but I also don’t want to make things more complicated at home for Brooklyn. Her best friend, Bailey, and now you, are the only ones who know of our relationship, outside of my roommate, Brandon.”

“Well, you won’t have to worry about me,” Dee Dee said. “Anyone who is thwarting Scott, is a friend of mine.” She laughed softly. “That sounds horrible, I know, but I’m always happy when someone can escape his clutches. I encouraged Tommy to stand up for himself and not let Scott run all over him. Scott always blamed me for it, and he was right; but I wasn’t about to let him control our son the way he tried to rule over me.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t fight you for custody,” I said, not sure if that was a proper thing to bring up or not.