no turning back

• twenty eight •

elijah

The house was quiet when I walked in. Suspiciously quiet.

"Angel?" I called.

The hollow walls seemed to absorb every decibel. Inhaling deeply, I smoothed a hand down my front and climbed the stairs. My heart was already pounding in trepidation. It didn't trust her as much as I did, evidently.

She made me a promise not to leave. She wouldn't have tried to run away.

I checked our room and the bathroom, growing increasingly concerned at finding them empty. My fingers speared anxiously through my hair as I stopped outside of Brant's door. I rested my hand on the knob, paused, and pivoted to the third bedroom across the hall.

As soon as I pushed the door open, her soft voice met my ears.

"What do you know about her death?"

Gladys was sprawled across the bed on her back, staring up at the ceiling. My brows furrowed at seeing she was dressed in my clothes, the same ones from this morning. I made a mental note to pick up some clothes for her the next time I went into the city. 

"What? Who?" I asked. "And what are you doing in this room?"

She narrowed her eyes on me as she propped herself up on an elbow. My gaze traveled down her body, admiring the shapely dips and curves of her side. Fuck, she looked so sexy.

How was I supposed to oblige with the minimum when she looked like she'd been lying here all day, waiting for me to come home and fuck her?

"Bernice," she said as she sat up and crossed her legs, ensuring to tuck the baggy shirt between her creamy thighs. "What do you remember about the way she was killed?"

"Again," I growled, "what are you doing in this room?"

She rolled her eyes. "This is my room."

"That's cute. No, the fuck it's not. Get your ass to our room." I leered, daring her to challenge me. "Or I throw you over my shoulder, carry you down there, and tie you to the bed."

"And I told you that last night would be the last we shared a bed."

I crossed to the bed and reached for her. She rolled off the other side of the mattress, holding her hands out to pacify me.

"For safety reasons, you can't sleep alone," I said.

"Safety reasons?"

"Yes. Like you said, there is another man in this house. The only way I can know for sure he isn't going to do anything stupid is by keeping you in my bed."

She crossed her arms, scowling. "You wouldn't have left me here alone all day with him if you thought he might hurt me."

"You're right."

I couldn't help but smile at her attitude. She rarely got so feisty, and I rather enjoyed being the instigator.

"But I also know he's a man who's been away from his wife for six months," I said, my hands curling into fists. "He's attracted to you, I can tell. Not that I can blame him . . . but the principle remains."

"You've got him scared shitless," she replied smartly, arching a brow. "I really doubt he's dumb enough to try anything with me."

I rounded the bed, cornering her by the window. A predatory tingle erupted in my palms as I watched her round hazel eyes widen. "I'm done taking chances with your safety."

She looked frantically around for an escape, and I growled in warning. Her gaze landed on mine, teeth sinking into her bottom lip.

"No running," I said. "I've had a very long day. I need to feel you."