25. Odell
TWENTY-FIVE
ODELL
“I know you have to go. You’re a good nephew slash son. And your aunt needs you, but I hate that you’re leaving.”
“It’s thirty minutes from here into the city. I’m hardly embarking on a worldwide expedition.”
“Dellie. Odellicious.”
Oh no. I pushed him away. “You can’t Dellie me. Go. Shoo.”
The Red Beast I’d driven during our escape from the city—it was still hard to believe that was real—wasn’t here, and I missed it. Not that I was allowed behind a wheel because I had to have a driver and bodyguards. Hunter was wrapping me in bubble wrap even though the danger had passed. But as he and his family had security wherever they went, and I was his mate, I didn’t see a way out of the protective cocoon.
It was frustrating having someone a few steps in front and another behind me, and when I thought about being followed by hulking guys wearing earpieces for the rest of my life, I did get a little anxious. Not that I mentioned it to Hunter.
We were so new. A few days new. Me and my family had been protected, and Uncle Stan and Aunt Louisa had new temporary homes. I couldn’t complain, especially when the time since I met Hunter until now was a blur. So much had happened, and I wanted to add a full stop and start a new paragraph, but it was as though I was living in a long, run-on sentence.
But perhaps Hunter had picked up on my discontent. Panicking in the panic room became our catchphrase, and this morning when reminded of the hours spent underground, we turned on some music and bopped around the kitchen yelling it. I felt better, exhausted but better, afterward, and we’d flopped on the sofa, laughing.
“I’ll be back.”
It was a flippant line from a movie. But I would. We hadn’t sat down and looked at our life going forward. I still had my teaching job and could return after the vacation. But how could I when I’d killed someone, almost killed someone, and almost been killed? I used to think I had a moral compass, but I couldn’t stand in front of a class of kids and talk about principles after what I’d done.
Due to their living situation, I didn’t need to contribute to the family’s finances. And Hunter had assured me I could take time to decide what I wanted to do. This was the part of my life where “money gives you choices.” And I was grateful that I no longer had to count pennies and work two jobs.
Sitting in the back of the sleek black car and having someone drive me to my aunt was such a privilege. I was determined to pay it forward. Maybe not teaching but doing volunteer work until I decided on a new path.
But as the car sped along the road, with Hunter and my new life behind me, Aunt Louisa in front, doubts began to niggle at me.
Maybe it was too soon to start living with my mate.
What did I really know about him?
Despite the bodyguards, I’d always be looking over my shoulder if we were together.
I cracked the window and shivered as the wind pummeled my cheeks. One night or maybe two away from Hunter might give me clarity, though I missed him already. I peered out the back window, the miles between us stretching into what seemed like forever, and I almost told the driver to turn around.
But I had a responsibility to Aunt Louisa. She and my uncle had sacrificed so much because I’d needed braces, wanted piano lessons, or outgrew my shoes every few months. I wouldn’t neglect my obligation to her because I’d fallen in love.
When we pulled up in front of the tall apartment building, I shaded my eyes and peered up at the many stories. It was slap bang in the middle of a district with restaurants, grocery stores, and shops, so Aunt Louisa could walk to where she wanted to go.
I was going to convince her to give up cleaning offices, and she might prefer to work at her day job part-time if her boss agreed and could find someone to fill in the other half days.I couldn’t see her not working, as she was the type who hated sitting still.
The apartment was on the third floor. Two flights of stairs. But the elevator was gleaming and modern. Besides, I wasn’t alone, as I had two security guys with me. I could get in without panicking.
Aunt Louisa had the door open before I buzzed. We hugged, holding onto one another for ages, before she glared at the bodyguards and ushered us in.
“Oh my gods. You didn’t tell me it had a terrace!”
This was too much. The three-bed, two-bath apartment was dripping in luxury. But she deserved to stay somewhere nice. Aunt Louisa had worked hard all her life, tended to Uncle after his accident, and brought me up, giving me advantages she’s never had.
“This is a dream come true. I can’t believe it.” She twirled around, arms outstretched, and took me onto the terrace. “But have they said when I have to leave? I can't enjoy it too much if it’s going to be whisked away tomorrow.”
I assured her this place was hers as long as she needed it.
“I don’t like being beholden to these people,” she whispered. Though my bodyguards were positioned at either end of the terrace, they probably heard her.
“They’re not all bad. Life isn’t black and white. There are so many shades of gray.” I was trying to convince myself of that.
We had two, no, three issues to discuss. Me and Hunter, me not living here, and Uncle. I juggled them in my head and started with the easiest.
“About Uncle.”
“No, I can’t talk about him,” she responded in a monotone “He’s dead to me and to you. What he did was unforgivable.”
His deception was still so raw, and I didn’t know where to start unraveling it. “But I have such fond memories of Uncle when I was growing up. Taking me to school, buying me ice cream, and helping me with homework.”
She put her arm around me. “One bad act cancels out all his good deeds. You wouldn’t say a murderer needed a break because they used to coach Little League.”
If she only knew what I’d done in the past few days, she’d be so disappointed. How could I judge Uncle when I’d done something equally as bad? Not that I knew where our “crimes” lay on the scale of bad, very bad, and so bad you were locked in a cell for life.
“Let me show you to your room.” I trailed along behind her. “You have your own bathroom, and look at this view.”
I stared out the window in the direction of Hunter’s place, that might be mine too. I was a terrible person having to tell her I wasn’t coming home. Well, I might spend nights here, not that Hunter and I knew how our life would look. But we were mates and married, and life partners usually lived together. Not because society demanded it but because they loved one another.
“Aunt Louisa.” I’d never called her Auntie for some reason. It didn’t suit her. She was Aunt Louisa, my guardian angel. I sat her on the bed and took both hands. “A lot has changed since the morning Draven dragged me into the elevator.”
“I hope he’s in jail for trying to force you to marry him.”
“Hunter’s brothers are looking for him.”
Her mouth gaped, then widened, and she put a hand over her lips, but she couldn’t hide the fear that registered in her eyes.
“You were with him. Hunter.”
She knew that, on the day of the marriage. I could only imagine how confused she was about what I’d been doing. Damn, I studied my chipped nails as a flush swept over my cheeks, brow, and chest.”
“Oh, no. No, Dellie. No.” She lifted my chin so I was looking at her. “He will never love you. It was a conquest. He and Draven were having a pissing contest.”
“Aunt Louisa!” She’s never used the P word previously.
“Forget him.” She cleared her throat which reminded me I’d promised to take her to the doctor. But she said she was fine, it had been a cold, and it was improving. “Getting out of our old apartment made me feel young again.”
I wasn’t convinced, but if she didn’t want to go, I couldn’t make her. Once my aunt made a decision, she stuck to it.
“We’ll get your marriage annulled.” Holding up her phone, she said she’d been trying to call Stefan, but he was on leave. “We can go down to City Hall tomorrow and start the process.”
I studied my paper clip ring and flipped over my hand, revealing my mating mark.
“You won’t understand any of this, but Hunter isn’t a bad guy.”
“He’s mafia, and just because he got you away from Draven doesn’t mean he’s any different. I didn’t bring you up to fall for a guy who lies, cheats, steals, and murders for a living.”
I gulped and stared at my ring again.
“You cannot go back there. I won’t allow it.”
Perhaps we could talk over dinner. If I explained what was in my heart and she witnessed us together, she’d change her mind. But it was a huge ask, and if I put myself in her position, I’d react the same way.
Being away from Hunter, even for one night, sped up my breathing, and I blinked away tears. My aunt wouldn’t and couldn’t understand how knowing someone for a few days made me want to spend the rest of my life with him.
“Aunt Louisa, you don’t know him.”
“And you do? After a few days going wherever you went with him.”
Rudy had given her a sparse amount of information, just enough, along with my phone calls to know I was okay. Not that I hadn’t been close to being blown into a million pieces.
“How about we go out for a meal?” Hunter had given me a new phone and a credit card before I left. I’d wanted to refuse, feeling as though I was mooching off him, but I had no alternative. “Tonight we’ll watch your favorite TV programs.”
“This is where you belong. And I need you. We were always a team, you and me. Don’t break my heart and leave me, not when we’ve finally had a lucky break.”
She bustled off to make dinner as the fridge and pantry were stocked.
“I can’t come home tonight,” I said to Hunter when he answered.
If Aunt Louisa was listening, she would have picked up on me calling his place home. But when I glanced at her, she was texting, her fingers tapping furiously at the device.
But it was for Hunter I said it. He was my home.
“I miss you.”
“Miss you too.”
I asked him where he was, and he said he was in bed, with the sheets that scented of me wrapped around him. Way to tug at my heart!
“Just tonight, right?” I was being yanked from both sides like that old torture method where a person was tied to two horses, each facing the opposite direction.
“Yes.” I was teetering on that tightrope again, trying to please everyone. I hoped I wouldn’t end up disappointing them both. And myself.