Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Nick
“Landlords just got home,” Noel said as we parked across the street from Matt’s apartment building.
“If they’re inside, they likely won’t bother us.”
We got out and ran across the street. “Think it’s one of them?” Noel held the front door open for me.
“I have no idea. Maybe, but the creeper was in Matt’s place, and now those two arrive home…weird.” I hit the Up button on the elevator.
“Maybe the barista chick, or Darnell?” Noel stepped into the elevator when it opened.
“Or Trinity…hell, it could be anyone. I need more info.” I hit the number three and leaned against the wall.
“We’ll get it; we always do.”
When we were on Matt’s floor I walked over to his door, used the key he gave me, and went in. There weren’t any lights on, so I hit a switch. Nothing looked disrupted even though we knew someone had been here. I went to the window by the fire escape and locked it. Idiot had left it unlocked.
There was a faint scent of something spicy—it wasn’t associated with Matt, so I wondered if it was something the shitbag had worn.
“Got the box.” Noel had it tucked under his arm. “You wanna get Matt’s unmentionables?” He waggled his brows.
“You’re ridiculous.”
I grabbed a small duffel and went to Matt’s drawers. I wasn’t going to take any of the boxers, but I found an unopened package in one of the drawers and grabbed those. A couple of shirts, pants, and socks, and we were good. We had toothbrushes and stuff at the house. I zipped up the bag and walked out to the living room.
“We should keep some lights on.” Noel clicked the light on above the stove. “Maybe they’ll see them and try and get in again.”
“We don’t want them in here anymore.” Just the thought of someone in Matt’s personal space made my blood boil.
“Okay. But I’m keeping lights on anyway.”
“Let’s go.”
We stepped outside, me with the bag over my shoulder, Noel with the box close to his chest. Of course just as we turned to leave, the door across the way opened and out came James.
“Oh.” He jumped. “I heard the door and thought it was Matt.”
“No, sorry. He’s not feeling well, so he’s staying with me for a few days, so I can take care of him.” I lifted the duffel a bit. “I was just coming to get some of his things.”
“I see.” He eyed me, then Noel. “You’re twins.”
“That we are.” I laughed. The reaction people gave us was always comical. We had the same face, hair color, and eyes, but our fashion sense was completely different.
James waved me off. “Of course you knew that.”
“Well, we gotta go.” Noel started walking to the elevator.
“Right, yeah. Tell Matt Nicole and I hope he feels better.”
“Will do.”
James didn’t move from his spot as we got into the elevator and the door shut. Was he the stalker? Why couldn’t I get a feel for him? And for some reason, Four’s belief that the note was written by a woman was niggling at the back of my head.
I began to fidget, my leg shaking.
“What’s wrong?” Noel glanced at me.
“Something…I don’t know.”
Inside the car, I eyed the box. “What?” Noel frowned.
“I have a funny feeling.”
“About?”
I shook my head and reached for the box. “I think this is in response to the note I left on his bike the other day.”
“Then why would they leave it for Matt?”
That I wasn’t sure about. “Just get home. We need to see.”
“Open it.” Angel slammed a folding knife on the table.
I reached for it, but Four stopped me. “If you think it’s in response to your note on the bike, what’s to say it’s not dangerous?”
“It may be in response to the note, but why would they hurt Matt?” Mason pressed his ear to it. “It’s not ticking.”
“Okay, how about we all step away?” Shep inched forward. “One of us open it and move fast—everyone else go to the other side of the counter.”
“And who do you think will be opening this box?” JJ quirked a brow.
“I will.” I grabbed the knife.
“Nick.” Matt tried to take the knife, but I switched hands.
“I’m fast. I’ll open and run.”
His eyes were full of worry, and he clearly wanted to tell me that I was absolutely not to do it, but we had to know. He sighed but went to where everyone else was standing.
“Ready?” I asked. They all nodded. “One, two, three.” I sliced the sides and across the top, and rushed away.
Absolutely nothing happened.
“Anticlimactic,” JJ muttered.
“Here.” Shep tossed me rubber gloves. “Residue can be poisonous…certain things get on your skin, in your bloodstream, and it’s lights out.”
Shep knew what he was talking about. He’d used ricin to kill the man who was behind the torture JJ had gone through. I took the gloves, pulled my collar up to cover my mouth and nose, and slowly opened the box.
There was a card and a small MP3 player.
“What is it?” Matt asked.
I pulled out the note: Don’t play games you can’t win, Nick. Matt is mine…good thing I’m patient. I handed the note off to JJ and he took it and went back to the others, then I reached in, and hit play.
A howl filled the kitchen. Everyone walked up and stared at the MP3 player as “Lil’ Red Riding Hood” by Sam the Sham he was shaking.
I spun and wrapped my arms around him. “It’s okay, Matt. I won’t let them get you.”
He whimpered as shivers wracked his body.
“Nick, why don’t you take Matt to your room? A nice bath, rest a bit. I think we could all use a little bit of a break.” Mason smiled softly. “I’ll call Gabe and let him know what happened—maybe he can press Greg for something. If Lenny is home and doing this, maybe Greg can get something out of them.”
I nodded. “Okay, thanks, Mason.”
With Matt cuddled into my side, we walked to my bedroom and straight into the en suite. He wouldn’t let me go, which made undressing difficult. I managed and soon he was between my legs, his back resting against my chest in a bath full of bubbles.
We didn’t speak. What could I say to make this right? I just held him and promised myself that I’d give whoever was doing this the ending they deserved.