Possession(13)

“Yes,” he answers shakily.

My father hastily retreats, but as he starts to disappear, Drake says one more thing: “You haven’t heard the last of this, William.”

A cold shiver runs down my spine at his words. I guess my father felt it as well, since he, too, looks ashen. Once he disappears from sight, Drake squeezes me a little to make me look up at him. “Remember what I said. No looking up, okay?” I nod my head again. “Let’s get going.”

Letting Drake lead the way, I keep my head down, and we silently creep down the stairs. I can hear voices. I can also hear a man asking where my father has been, but he quickly responds by saying he had an urgent call. I then hear my father ask if anyone wants something else to drink, but I don’t hear the answer. Drake has me outside and in a waiting car before I can even blink. Once inside, he buckles up my seatbelt and then kisses my head. “Are you okay?”

Once I nod, he breaks away and turns to the driver. “Lock this door behind me, and whatever you do, don’t let anyone but me back in. You got me? Any hint that someone else is trying to get into this car, and you drive off. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, sir.”

The front passenger gets out, and Drake is about to go too, but I grab him. “Don’t leave me.”

Turning, he offers me a bright smile and kisses my hand. “I will only be a few minutes. I promise. I just need to do something first. You’re safe, Evelyn. With me, you’re always safe. Remember that.”

I nod my head again before he leaves and the door is quickly locked behind him. I notice another car, and four other men get out of that one and join him. One by one, they cock their guns and place them behind their backs as they enter the house. For a moment, I fear for my parents’ safety, but something tells me that the guns have nothing to do with my parents and everything to do with the nasty men, who are eating and drinking inside my house right now.

I stare at the house for what seems like hours, but must have only been mere minutes. “Is he okay? What’s taking them so long?” I ask the big, beefy driver sitting silently at the front.

“Don’t you worry, Miss Montgomery. Mr Salvatore will be fine. He shouldn’t be too long now. Just sit tight, and it’ll be over soon.”

I see him staring at me through the visor, so I nod my head and turn my attention back to the house. I feel safer than I did earlier, but I won’t feel totally safe until I see Drake come out of the house and get back into this car.

A few more minutes pass before I finally see Drake leaving the house with his men in tow, walking back to the cars. The moment Drake is by the car, I hear the lock pop open, and Drake makes his way in. He sits next to me in brooding silence as the car pulls away. I’m desperate to ask him what happened in there, but the look on his face halts me. He looks wired like he wants to kill someone.

Knowing I shouldn’t stare, I glance away and instead concentrate on staring at all the houses and trees that eventually pass us by. I feel a great deal safer than I did, but I still can’t help but feel something niggling me in the pit of my stomach. I don’t know what it is, so instead of harnessing it, I try to think of something else.

In my musing, I think of Drake’s house. I have known him for almost a year now, and never once have I been round to see his house before. In a way, I’m quite looking forward to it. I know it will be big, and I know it will be lavish. I guess I will see for myself soon enough.

After a couple more minutes of staring, I feel something graze my hand. Snapping my head to Drake, I jump. “Don’t pull away from me. There’s no need to.” He takes my hand gently, but forcefully. “Better?” he asks with a smile. He still looks angry, but a softer edge is now seeping through.

“I am now. Thank you.” I take a deep breath. “Did I make a mistake tonight … calling you and making you come to get me?”

He tugs at my hand. “No. You did the correct thing. And I want you to promise me that if this shit ever happens again, you’ll immediately give me a call, okay?” He grits his teeth, so I nod my head again.

“I promise.”

Drake lets out a deep breath before looking out of the window. I can tell he’s angry again, so I leave him to it.

About ten minutes later, we enter a driveway, and in front of us are some big, black wrought iron gates. They immediately open and we drive in and eventually come to a stop at this massively impressive square house. It looks more palatial than I’d imagined.

In front of the house is a water feature that we drive around to get to the bottom of the stairs. “Wow,” I say without meaning to voice my thoughts.