Chapter 22 Rain
Rain
Deacon
As far as weather was concerned, April was always a crap shoot.
With the warm front that swept in over the past few days, the citizens of Moose Lake were practically basking in a balmy fifteen degrees Celsius.
Everyone under the age of forty was running around in t-shirts though there was still snow on the ground in places where it had piled up in giant mounds, the kind the kids loved to hollow out into forts.
If the rain came down later today as forecasted, it would wash away the rest of the white stuff.
Which would be great because it was no longer fluffy, pristine, or shining like a diamond under the winter sun; it was a dirty, blackened, slushy mess.
Next week we’d no doubt get hit with one final parting blast from winter, most likely in the form of freezing rain that would turn the trees into ice sculptures and bring down the power lines.
And so long as I was holed up in that little house with Jenny, I’d be plenty warm.
I sat in a plush looking but incredibly uncomfortable chair in the lobby of the bank in Peppergrove.
My knee bounced up and down with nerves.
It’s only an inquiry.
You’re not committing to anything.
But I’d hate myself later if I didn’t at least try.
I looked at my watch and shook my head. I would be at least ten minutes late to pick up Jenny. I shot off a quick text, letting her know where I was, and put my phone on silent.
“Mr. Raine?”
A petite brunette approached with her hand extended.
I stood and held out my hand. “Yes.”
She smiled and introduced herself as she clasped my hand. “I’m Melody.” Releasing me, she waved her hand toward the offices. “Right this way, please.”
I followed her into her office and took a seat.
She rounded her desk and settled across from me with a smile. “What can I help you with?”
I cleared my throat.
It was now or never.
Earth or Sky.
I wasn’t interested in keeping my feet on the ground.
“I’m interested in taking out a business loan.”
She nodded.
I took a breath. “And a mortgage.”
She smiled widely. “Excellent.”
An hour later, I bowed my head against the rain and jogged across the slick parking lot, full of plans I couldn’t wait to share with Jenny.
Rain pounded down, leaping off the windshield before the wipers could sweep it away.
I flipped on the defrost, watching my speed even as something inside urged me to go faster.
Driving past Buns and Biscuits at 3:15, I expected to see the lights down and the closed sign flipped but it appeared just as it did when it was open.
I didn’t see Jenny through the window.
That didn’t mean anything. With the rainstorm picking up, I couldn’t see much of anything.
But my heart raced just the same at the minor anomaly
Pulling up to the curb, whipped my door open, and jogged across the street under the roar of the heavy downfall.
I swung the door open and stepped inside. Rain streaming off me, I took a moment to shake off. The door swung shut, muting the sound of the storm.
I was just about to call Jenny’s name when I heard voices coming from the kitchen, one of them a man who sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t quite place him.
I frowned, listening hard. Was it a break-in?
Where the fuck was Jenny?
I needed to get to her before calling the Sergeant.
Was she upstairs?
Not knowing if she was safe unlocked the ice-cold beast that slept inside me. I flipped the lock on the outer door and set him free.
“You need to stop calling me.”
Who was she talking to?
“Then stop playing hard-to-get.”
I froze.
“I’m not interested in you.”
She was here.
I began to make my way around the counter, still not recognizing the voice of the man in the kitchen.
Then she screamed. “Deacon!”
Her terrified voice propelling me over the counter and through the kitchen doors.
“When you were with Deacon, you were giving it away for free to Baxter Martin and Miller O’Leary. Everybody knows it.” He sneered. “Even Miller’s wife knows it.”
In less than a second, I took in the whole scene.
Adam fucking Baker had Jenny pinned against the counter, his hands on her upper arms, dragging her up to her toes as he pressed his mouth to her throat.
Her face was red, her eyes screwed tight, as she turned her face as far away from him as she could. “Deacon,” she cried.
I roared like an animal.
Her eyes flew open. Wide and terrified, her fear only doubled when she took in the look on my face.
That killed me and stopped me in my tracks.
“Get your fucking hands off her,” I growled, turning my attention to Adam as my hands rolled into fists.
I prowled closer carefully, unable to take a run at him in case I hurt her.
In case he hurt her.
He immediately raised his hands but kept her pinned as he cajoled. “Hey, man. Better you know what she is now than later.”
Jenny gasped, a pained sound that shot adrenaline straight into my fucking veins.
“Back the fuck away from her,” I snarled.
Showing he had at least one working brain cell, Adam stepped back.
Jenny darted behind me, the skirt of a pretty dress I’d never seen before swishing around her shapely legs.
The rough sound of her panting breaths enraged me further.
“Dude.” Adam chuckled nervously. “She was fucking Miller O’Leary, and the guy is married. I saw them together, practically walked in on them.”
He backed up further as I prowled closer. “She had something going on with Baxter Martin when she was with you. She’s just like her mother, man. I’m only looking out for you.”
“Deacon,” Jenny whispered behind me.
“By trying to fuck my girl?” I tilted my head menacingly. “Aren’t you married?”
He offered a shaky smile. “You know how it is.”
“Deacon, please,” she fretted.
I fucking left her unprotected.
Fucking left her drugged on that bed.
Broken-hearted and fighting off the rumours in this fucking town.
Left her battling vandalism, attacks on her business, and an attempted assault.
“Please, Jenny,” I spoke. “Tell me this is the first time this dumb fuck has tried this.”
She was silent behind me.
I turned to face her.
Eyes beseeching, palms raised, she pleaded, “Deacon.”
“Was it him in the staircase?” I barked.
She nodded, a small, terrified sob escaping her trembling lips.
An unholy sound rumbled up from my chest as I closed the space between me and my childhood best friend.
His eyes flew wide as I fisted the front of his shirt and held him out in front of me.
“Take a shot,” I gritted out.
Jenny cried out behind me.
His eyes flitted to her. “Don’t fucking look at her,” I snarled.
His eyes widened. “We were best friends!”
“Take a fucking shot!” I bellowed.
He swung, nailing me in the face with a right hook.
My head snapped back.
I looked back at him and smiled.
His knees gave out beneath him as he yelled at me.
I jerked him forward and plowed my fist into his face as he began to scream.
The first hit broke his nose.
The second knocked out a tooth.
The third left him bleeding on the floor.
Jenny cried, the sound that of a terrified child.
I turned to face her, and she fucking ducked. Dropping to her haunches, she wrapped her arms around her head and sobbed.
I sank to my knees and crawled toward her. “You’re okay, baby girl. You’re safe.”
When I reached her, I laid my hand on her folded arms.
“No!” she exploded, skittering backward.
The look in her eyes crushed me. “I’d never hurt you, baby.”
Training her wide, wary eyes on my face, she stilled.
The sound of shuffling came from behind me, and her eyes filled with fear once more.
I had to pull my shit together before I buried the fucker.
I sat down with my back to her and rested my forearms on my knees, watching as my childhood friend dragged himself up to his feet.
My voice began calm but turned into a snarl.
“I came to pick up Jenny, arriving late, to find her backed into a corner with your fucking mouth on her throat, attention she definitely didn’t want.
When I confronted you, you punched me in the face.
I protected myself and her. You want to report it? Go the fuck ahead.”
He touched his finger to his nose, wincing. “What am I supposed to say to my wife?”
“I’m sure you’re used to lying to her. Fair warning. I see that sweet, pretty woman? I’ll be clearing up any misunderstandings.”
He stared back at me, then turned narrowed eyes to Jenny.
“I wouldn’t,” I advised quietly, still seated. “And if I find any blood out front, I’ll drag you back to clean it.”
He sent me an appraising look.
I grinned. “You won’t like that.”
“You’re fucked,” he said. “You know that?”
“Most likely,” I replied genially. “Keep that in mind and stay out of Moose Lake. You see Jenny in Peppergrove, you fucking run in the opposite direction, you hear me?”
He scoffed.
I roared. “Do you fucking hear me?”
Jenny cried out behind me.
He held up his palms. “I hear you. I hear you.”
I sprang up to my feet as he backed up to the door and followed him out. Once he cleared the door, I spun the lock and walked slowly back to Jenny.
She ran past me, straight out into the rain.