“That’s fine.” I smile. “We actually came to that impasse the moment you walked up to me. Have a nice evening, Zeke Declan.” I smile at the cocky jerk.
“Oh, now …” He takes my hand, lifts it, and drops a light, gentlemanly kiss upon my skin. “Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened,” he says with a mastered wink, slowly releasing my hand.
I stand watching him saunter back over to the group of waiting girls and let out a laugh. Oh, my God! Did he really just quote Dr. Seuss?
“Here.” Rayna thrusts a beer in front of me. “I see you met Zeke?”
“Yeah …” I linger on the word as I twist around and take the beer. “He’s ...” I pause, trying to come up with the right description.
“Not like anyone you’ve ever met?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “Something like that.”
“You like him, though, don’t you?”
“Rayna, he’s an egotistical asshole!”
“Yes, but he’s a sexy, charming, adorable, smart, egotistical asshole. Give him some time, he’ll grow on you.” She grins, tipping her beer back for a drink.
CHAPTER FIVE
Back pressed against the wall, I can’t breathe. I’m trying, but the air isn’t getting in. I’m drenched with sweat, damp with cold fear. My limbs shake and my teeth chatter. I can hear them. The monster must too. I need to get out of here. I’m so scared. I can’t let him get any closer. I don’t know what he plans on doing to me if he does. I only know in some sick way that he means to hurt me. I see it in his eyes. I never noticed it before, but they’re bad eyes. His enormous hand reaches out for me. I jerk to the left and his knuckles scrape across my naked chest. Like a cut, I feel the air seep into my burning flesh. I look down to be sure my skin isn’t on fire or bleeding. Then I look back up into those crazy eyes. He takes a deep, loud breath. His chest rises and falls. Man, he’s huge!
His black eyes slant. He growls and takes another swipe at me. I can’t let him touch me. I arch back and deviate to the right. My side slams against the wall. He doesn’t make contact. He lunges for me again. I spin around unable to catch myself. I fall to the floor onto my back. He leans over me. I try to scoot away. My socks skid against the linoleum. He grabs me. Strong fingers dig into my bony shoulder ...
I sit up straight in bed. I can’t breathe. I’m soaked. My body trembles all over. I hit my chest with a closed fist and gasp when the air stabs my dry throat. I cough. My stomach muscles tighten. I reach for the cool sheets. I clench them. “I’m safe.” I cough again, clenching tighter to the sheets. “I’m where I belong.” I take a deep breath, reciting Addy’s soothing words. “It’s just a dream.” I exhale as my heart races, begging for more air. I open my eyes to silent darkness. “I’m home.” I shake my head. He’s gone. He’s not here. He can’t hurt me. “I have come back again to where I belong; not an enchanted place.” I look around as my dresser, TV, and bedroom door take their collective shapes through the darkness. “But the walls are strong.” I draw more air into my burning lungs. “The walls are strong.” I expel my breath. My heartbeat slows. I swipe a sheet-dried palm over my clammy face.
“Fuck.” I drop my hand just as a loud thud echoes outside my bedroom.
Body stiff, my eyes flash to the door. Holding my breath, I hear a few more loud rustling sounds. “Shit.” I drop my shoulders and glance at the alarm clock, 2:45 am. Jax is closing JZS’s tonight. So it’s gotta be Slate. I scrub my face, swing my legs around, and jump out of bed to go deal with my fucked-up brother.
I wander into the kitchen. Slate’s sitting at the table with the back of his head resting against the wall. “Hey, fucker,” he says, viewing me from the slits of bloodshot eyes.
“Dickhead.” I nudge and walk over to the fridge. I grab a couple of waters. “You stop at JSZ on your way in?” I hand Slate a bottle, and he just stares at me. I twist off the cap and set the water on the table in front of him. I know he needs it, needs to hydrate. Besides a few protein shakes here and there, I never see the guy eat. The only other thing he puts in his body comes in pill form. Then again, I think he smokes the shit. Hell, he might even be putting it up his nose. Since the fire, Jax and I don’t know what he does. He’s rarely home, and when he is, he’s passed out in his bed. He’s fucked up and has been for the past three years.
I ain’t gonna tell him that I saw Rayna tonight. Though, if anyone could save his ass, she might just be the one. She was the love of his life. “Drink the water, dickhead.”