Preparations
Chapter forty-four
Alex
Halloween is fast approaching, and I’m doing everything in my power to make sure we make a splash with our festivities.
Traffic is starting to pick up again and we’re on track to have our best quarter ever this season.
In addition to the scheduled hauntings, we’re going to be throwing a Halloween masquerade ball. It’s going to be unforgettable.
A snowflake lands on my cheek as I look out at the sea of gold and red trees lining the mountain range as far as the eye can see. This is my favorite time of year in the Adirondacks.
“What are you dressing up for this year, Jake?” I ask as I watch him weed the garden. Shirt off.
“I’m not dressing up.”
“You have to dress up! You’d look sexy as fuck as a mailman, or a police officer.
Ooh, we could roleplay. You can’t arrest me, officer, I haven’t done anything wrong!
Do you even have a warrant? You could slap a pair of handcuffs on me and have your wicked way with me.
” I visualize that for a few minutes. I like the idea, but I like the idea of Jake in handcuffs better, if he’ll allow it.
Maybe one day. “You’d also look really sexy as a firefighter.
Like the ones who pose in calendars with their shirts off.
Yeah, you could get it.” I bite my lower lip as I ogle him.
“I’m going to dress up in a trash bag for Halloween,” he threatens.
“No! That’s not sexy, baby. What is the point of dressing up if you’re not going to look sexy doing it?” I complain.
“Is that what the point of Halloween is?” He cocks his head as he teases me.
“Pretty sure, yeah,” I say. “This party is what’s going to take us to the next level.
Brandon made an Instagram account for the hotel.
We already have a hundred followers. If we can go viral, just think about how packed this place will be.
” I want to be successful so I can take care of my man during our afterlife.
I’ll be darned if Jake has to go without because I couldn’t support him.
“You’re my sugar baby; I need to make money to keep you in the lifestyle you’ve been accustomed to.
Don’t laugh! I know you still have a taste for the finer things, despite all your protests.
That shirt you wear probably costs more than my car note did. ”
He laughs and comes over to sit next to me. “Is that a good idea, drawing so much attention to the hotel? Things have been quiet recently, but I don’t want to draw the attention of my father’s goons. If they’re still out there,” he says, looking nervous.
“Baby, if anyone comes by, I’ll be here to protect you.” He rolls his eyes. “Sasha is here too, and he’s even more terrifying than I am. He’ll keep you safe too. He’d probably burn down the entire Daks if there was a threat to Seth. He’s a bit of a psycho, bless him.”
Placated for now, he wraps an arm around me, and I rest my head on his shoulder as we sit on the lawn looking out over the sea of trees.
He tilts his head back and closes his eyes.
I look up at him and think about all the ways I’ve failed him.
I wasn’t able to be the hero for him, in the end.
I didn’t slaughter his enemies and lay their entrails at his feet in victory.
At every step, Jake saved himself. He didn’t need me for that.
I may be the worst boyfriend ever, but I won’t fail him again.
I will resume my quest for bloody vengeance against anyone that dares to come at him, and this time I won’t hesitate.
I’ll meet any threats head on, so he doesn’t have to.
In the meantime, I’m going to manage the shit out of this hotel.
I place a hand on his chest as I sit with him, and for a second, I swear I can feel his heart beating.