The ryan chronicles seri.., p.21
The Ryan Chronicles Series, page 21
“Because you’re rich,” she said in response to my thoughts and delivered a wink and a smile.
“So they tell me.” I zipped the bag and her smile faltered.
“You know I’m just joking, right?”
I took a minute to study the sincerity in her face. “I’m a stuttering idiot,” I said and hauled the duffel over my shoulder. “You staying with me because I have money makes much more sense than you staying because you love me.”
She put her suitcase on the bed and took the duffel bag from my hand before cupping my face between her palms. “I have never cared that you had money, or that you have a brilliant mind or even that you have all these mystical powers. Even if you were poor and powerless, I would still love you for what’s in your heart.”
I rolled my eyes and her stare hardened.
“I’m serious.”
My good humor faded a notch. “Then open your mind and let me see the way I can see into a stranger’s head.”
Her expression transitioned into a guarded frown, she dropped her hands to her sides. “I can’t do that,” she whispered.
“Why not?”
“Because that much information will likely blow all your circuits and push you right back into a coma,” she said and stepped away. “I can’t take that chance.”
Frustration edged in and I grabbed the bags, circling around her, ignoring her huff. I stopped in the hallway and glanced back at her. “Maybe it’s not up to you,” I said and didn’t wait for an answer before descending the stairs.
I wanted answers. The more things that were revealed, the more I wondered what the hell I was and why everyone was so damned quiet about my past.
Angel Heart Chapter 6
I sat in front of the television staring at the home movies while Tom, Raven and Valerie prepared dinner. It was weird seeing myself as a little kid and even stranger seeing my brother talking and laughing. The scenes displayed on screen seemed like a very happy, well-adjusted family and when the camera turned on my parents, you could see the electricity between them and the depth of their commitment in their eyes; their adoration of us was just as clear.
Sadness folded its arms around me and I wished like hell I could remember. I finally clicked the television off and left by way of the porch, taking a seat on the steps of the dock and staring out at the haunting sunset.
Tom had given me the grand tour of the place, and it was a beautiful piece of property. The boat tour around the lake was equally as pleasant, but none of it made so much as a chip in the wall blocking me from the rest of my life.
The door to the porch squeaked behind me and I didn’t bother turning until the unlaced sneakers appeared in my peripheral vision. I gave Tom a glance as he took the seat next to me. He didn’t speak or send words into my head. Instead, he just stared at the same serene scene I was watching. I turned my attention back to the lake, remaining silent.
“I miss them,” he said. His voice was quiet in my head and he kept his hands clasped on his knees. “I don’t know how much Steve told you, but Mom’s death...” his voice trailed off and I glanced at him.
He didn’t continue. His gaze dropped to his hands and then turned to me. “The psycho who cut my tongue out, cut off her head and propped it on the end of the surgical table he had me chained to.”
My eyes widened and my jaw slowly fell open.
“Raven’s father is a serial killer who thought he owned her. When she fell in love with me and rebelled against him, he set out to kill her,” he added, keeping my gaze and adding to my discomfort. “And Valerie’s family was slaughtered by monsters. So, we’re all damaged in some way or another.”
I turned back to the scenery and remained quiet. “Where was I?” I finally asked, meeting his gaze again. “Where the hell was I when all that shit happened?”
Tom’s hands started to move, signing as his voice whispered in my head. “No one knew where I was. If either you or Steve had figured it out, it would have been over like that.” He snapped his fingers and then his hands stilled for a moment and squeezed into tight fists. He took a deep breath and stretched his fingers out before he continued. “Steve was doing his best, but he didn’t piece it together in time to save her.
“As far as Raven’s concerned, you were in Washington, D.C. testifying on Steve’s behalf when her father attacked us.”
“And Valerie?”
He met my questioning stare. “We didn’t know Valerie until a few days before your...” His hands stilled again. “Accident,” he finished.
Silence fell between us and I sighed.
“There are some things that are not worth remembering,” he signed.
“But...”
“And there are some things I wish like hell I could forget.”
His statement silenced me and I glanced at him. He offered me a stiff smile and climbed to his feet, leaving me alone on the dock. My mind lingered on the facts Tom just laid out for me as well as the videos of us as kids. We seemed to be a hell of a way off the beaten path from the happy family we were when we were seven.
His revelations didn’t dissuade me from wanting my life back. I still wanted my memories. I still wanted to know who the hell I was. I sighed and climbed to my feet, trudging back into the main house just as Raven announced dinner was ready.
The table was set for a feast and I stared at the gourmet spread, impressed by the culinary skills of our host. The filet mignon tasted as good as it looked.
“This is delicious.” I stumbled over the words, but Raven got the gist and beamed.
“Thank you,” she said and Tom leaned over, delivering a kiss on her cheek. I guess it was his way of thanking her for taking the time to whip up the meal on short notice. Just as she sliced into her steak, Hannah started whining in her crib. She closed her eyes and exhaled before setting her silverware down. Tom covered her hand and shook his head, pointing from her to her food.
His plate nearly cleared, he gave us a nod and placed his napkin by his silverware, disappearing into the kitchen for a minute before coming out shaking a bottle of formula. He settled onto the couch with his daughter in his arms, taking the time to feed her so Raven could enjoy our company. Well, enjoy Valerie’s company. I chose to remain quiet and let the girls talk.
“Chris thinks I’m just hanging around because he has money,” Valerie said after they finished a majority of the meal.
Raven laughed and glanced at me. “You’re kidding.”
I shook my head. “Makes more sense than anything else.”
Raven’s laughter faded and she stared at me. “Sometimes you can be a true jackass,” she finally said. “The girl is your soul mate. That’s something that you cannot ignore, ever.” She picked up her glass and toasted me. “It was meant to be,” she added after the last of the wine passed through her lips.
It was my turn to laugh and Valerie’s eyes narrowed. The particularly tight set of her lips told me she was aggravated with me, and I was sure I’d hear about it when we went to bed in the guest cottage tonight.
Instead of dignifying her with any other response, I cleared my plate and began tackling the pile of dishes in the kitchen. Valerie stepped into place beside me with a dishtowel in her hand. I handed her one of the pots and met her sharp gaze.
“What?”
“What is your issue?” she asked and put the dried pot on the clean counter.
I stopped washing and stared out the window, formulating the words in my head. “There are too many unanswered questions,” I stumbled through the audible delivery and met her gaze. “And it’s making me...” I pressed my lips together at my inability to articulate and I really had no frame of reference for the unease settling into my skin. Valerie wasn’t the source; neither was my lack of memory, but a warning like a storm siren was starting in the center of my body. “Crazy. It’s making me crazy.” I finally said and refocused on the dishes. “And something’s coming. I don’t know what, but it has me...” I paused and handed her another clean plate. “...unhinged.”
We finished the dishes in silence and, as soon as I dried my hands, Valerie put the cloth down and wrapped her arms around my neck. The expression in her eyes gave me pause and I cocked my head, trying to identify the right word for it. She pulled me closer, laying her head on my chest without explanation and the word popped into my head. She was afraid.
“Val?”
She didn’t move at first and then she just unclasped her arms and turned, trudging into the living room and leaving me with no answers. I crossed the distance just as she took a seat on the couch and put her arms out for Hannah.
“Let me see that sweet girl,” she said and Tom relinquished his daughter.
“Tell me about vampires,” I said, pulling out a chair from the table and taking a seat.
Everyone turned towards me like I interrupted some silent after dinner ritual.
“They’re nasty creatures,” Raven said, translating Tom’s moving hands and meeting my gaze. “They live off the blood of their victims.”
The idea of drinking blood soured my thoughts of dessert. I waited for more, and when I realized it wasn’t coming, I crossed my arms. “That’s it?” My gaze moved over the three of them. “Valerie already told me that last night.”
Tom met my frustrated stare. “Since Valerie immunized us, they don’t bother us anymore.” His voice echoed in my head and he turned away, ending the conversation. I got the distinct impression that was going to be the extent of information I was going to receive tonight, and I glanced out at the deepening night.
Despite the early hour, both Raven and Tom’s eyes drooped and their yawns became more prevalent as Valerie and Raven continued their small talk about Hannah and motherhood. Tom’s eyes dipped closed and I glanced at my watch. It was a little before ten, early by the standards I had been used to since I woke from my coma but, then again, I didn’t have a baby.
“Maybe we should let you two get some rest,” Valerie said, and Tom’s eyes snapped open.
“We’re okay,” Raven said as Valerie handed Hannah to her.
Valerie laughed and hooked her thumb at Tom. “You may be, but he’s falling asleep on us.”
“Sorry,” Tom signed, but exhaustion came off him in waves.
“I could use some sleep,” I said even though it was the farthest thing from my mind. I knew they didn’t want to appear rude, and the kinks in their necks loosened a notch at my declaration. They didn’t know about my nightmares, so they had no way to know I didn’t like going to sleep, especially in a strange place like this. I was likely to wake in the same kind of pain that paralyzed me at the beach. Like I did most nights.
It took a minute and then the slow realization sank in. Perhaps the nightmares were memories tripping seizures and that’s why all I remembered about the dream was crushing pain.
Valerie met my gaze and a shadow passed over her eyes before she dropped them to Tom and Raven. “I’m going to take him over to the cottage.” She offered a shrug.
“Be careful, it’s dark out there,” Raven said as they both stood, giving Valerie a hug goodnight.
“Goodnight, CJ,” Raven said and Tom just gave me a nod before they disappeared down the back hall.
Valerie took my hand and led me across the dark lawn to the little guest house bordering the private stretch of beach. Instead of going inside, I pulled her beyond the cottage toward the beach. I wasn’t in the mood for sleep or even a quiet night in front of the television. I wanted a little adventure and as soon as we stepped on the sand, I slipped my shoes off and stripped my shirt, dropping it on the pile.
“What are you doing?” Valerie whispered, but even her whisper hung on the water.
“I’m in the mood for a swim,” I said, dropping my shorts. The evening air hovered around eighty degrees and I was certain the water would be warmer than the ocean in Maine. When she didn’t make an attempt to take her clothing off, I slipped out of my underwear, smiling at her and grabbed the hem of her shirt, stripping it off without permission. The tear of fabric echoed across the lake and her mouth opened to protest.
I took the opportunity and covered the start of her admonishment with my lips. If you don’t take the rest of your clothes off, they’re going to get wet, I thought and she pulled away, meeting my hungry stare.
I was ravenous, but food wasn’t the special on the menu that sparked my interest. She shook her head, pressing her lips together against the smile forming. When she didn’t budge, I scooped her in my arms and plunged into the water. She didn’t scream, but she did squeak her disdain as the lake enveloped us.
“I told you to strip,” I said as we surfaced.
“Chris,” she whispered in that harsh tone meant to scold, but her eyes danced with as much mischief as was coursing through my blood.
“Val,” I whispered back and grinned.
“Let go,” she said softly and I loosened my grip, placing her on her feet on the sandy bottom. She took a step back and unbuttoned her shorts, pushing them down and then grabbing my arm to steady herself as she slid them off. Valerie flung them toward the shore where they slapped on the sand and then she turned back to me with only her bra on.
I raised my eyebrows, waiting for the rest of her clothing to come off. She sighed and unhooked, flinging her bra in the same direction as her wet shorts. She was beautiful in the moonlight and I stepped closer, wiping the wet strands of hair from her face.
“I love you,” I whispered without stuttering and she smiled up at me in the way that always stole my breath. Valerie wrapped her arms around my waist and kissed my chest, sending waves of heat from the spot her lips touched through my entire being.
Instead of looking up at me, she peeled out of my arms and dove under the water, swimming out toward the deeper part of the lake. I watched how gracefully she cut through the water until she stopped and pulled herself up on something just below the surface. The flash of her teeth in the darkness hinted at the grin I was sure graced her face and I stared in her direction.
I reached the oversized boulder and hauled myself up next to Valerie. “You...”
“Shush,” she whispered. “Just be quiet for now.”
“Make me,” I challenged, speaking clearly enough for the words to echo.
She covered my mouth with her hand, meeting the challenge, just not in the way I expected. I kissed her palm and pulled her hand away. I thought about placing it in my lap, but I knew that would earn me a swat. Instead, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and stared out at the glasslike water.
Silence, broken only by the sweet sounds of nature wrapped around us.
“It’s beautiful here,” she whispered after a while.
“Mhm,” I agreed, sliding my arm down her back to her waistline. She met my gaze when I leaned over and slung my other arm under her knees, pulling her into my lap. She met my lips with the same fervor, the kiss as hot and frantic as the starry night.
Her kiss always stopped time. Like the gods paused to watch the spectacle below, and whenever our tongues intertwined, the heat in my soul flashed into a burning need. I took my time, slowing the pace and sliding my hand between her thighs. Her mind echoed the soft sigh as I started the slow and insistent circles over her clit. Even though we had only fooled around a dozen or so times since I woke, it was as if I knew just how to play all the right chords on her body to awaken the sexual beast within her.
She shifted into a straddling position over me and, damn it all to hell, when she slid onto my hard cock I nearly lost it. Making love on a rock in the middle of the lake wasn’t the easiest thing in the world. Challenging was a better description, but that only added to the flame. Thankfully, this particular rock was flat and pretty big and just a few inches under the water’s surface.
Valerie wrapped her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist and we moved together, creating a never-ending ring of waves that spread out from us. The water lapped at us, enhancing the sensations rocketing through me. She clamped her mouth over mine to stifle a moan that was building in her chest and I chuckled under my breath. I loved it when she lost control and out here, it would echo for miles.
She stiffened, and the moan flowed from her mouth into mine and I responded, the heat pooling in my belly circling along with her hips until it burst forth, erupting through me and pulling a rough groan into my throat. My heart pounded, thumping through my entire body, and all I wanted to do was fall backwards and slip into oblivion. Instead, I wrapped my arms tightly around her, pulling her close and resting my head on her shoulder until I caught my breath.
“I don’t know if I can swim back to shore,” I whispered.
“You’ll make it,” she said and peeled away from me, dropping back into the water and doing a slow crawl back to shore. I sat for a few more minutes before sliding into the water all the way. I followed her until my feet could touch the sand and then I stood, and slowly walked ashore.
Valerie twirled her hair, ringing the water out as she watched me approach. Her lips formed in that contemplative faraway look, and I wished I could unlock her mind. Her eyes cleared up and met mine and her dimples made an appearance.
“Where were you just then?”
She shrugged and I swore I could see the blush rise in her cheeks.
“What?” I whispered, approaching her.
“I was thinking about our first time,” she said.
“Ah,” I replied and shook the sand from my underwear before slipping them on without another word. Her comment soured my mood. I wasn’t able to recall even that, and her reaction to it just made me feel more lost than usual.
I scooped up the rest of my clothing and headed back toward the cabin. Valerie followed and kept quiet until we stepped inside.
“Why do you do that?” she asked and rummaged through our suitcase, pulling underwear and a nightshirt on before turning to me.
