18. Presley #2
My voice cracks when I yell, “Someone. Please. Let me out—”
The door is yanked open.
A tall, dark figure stands there.
I blink, and he comes into focus.
Hades.
I practically fall through it, right into his arms.
I’m sobbing so hard, I can’t say anything. I just cling to him.
“I've got you.” Fingers stroke my hair.
I suck in deep breaths. Cedar, woodsmoke, clean soap, and cold air fill my lungs.
Hades.
Somehow, my brain translates it all into one thing.
Safety.
Slowly, I pull back, looking up at him. My fingers still clutch his jacket, like I’ll fall if I let go.
“The door wouldn't open.”
“I know.” He clears his throat. “That’s what drew me here. I heard you yelling.”
“I couldn't—my phone—I left—”
“Presley.” His hand moves slowly over my hair. “You're out. You're okay.”
I bury my face against his chest.
He holds me close, murmuring soothing words I don’t hear.
But they calm me.
I finally pull back, swiping at the tears. He grabs my hand, and I still.
Gently, he wipes the tears from my cheeks.
“I’m here now. You’re safe.”
I nod dumbly, lost in his eyes.
“I won’t let anything happen to you.”
The crazy thing is, I believe him.
Hades stands by the counter, looking down at the empty dog bed.
“Where's Penny?”
“With Gracie.”
He nods.
“What time do you close?”
“Ten.”
“I’m staying right here.”
I should tell him to go. That I’m fine now.
But I don’t.
I can’t.
His presence here is calming. Reassuring.
“Okay.”
“What were you doing in that room?”
I shudder at the thought.
“Getting a box for Margaret.” I stare down at my boots. “It spilled all over the floor.”
“I’ll go get it.”
I want to protest, but I can’t.
The thought of being back in that room again...
He’s already heading down the hallway, his boots thudding against the wooden floor.
I grab my cell phone and shove it in my back pocket as I follow him.
I don’t intend to set foot inside it right now... but I don’t want to be alone, either.
“This box?” He points at it.
I nod. “Yes. And that stuff was inside.”
Without a word, he kneels. I bite my lip, then decide that even if the door shuts again, Hades can get us out.
I step inside, kneeling beside him.
He stills. “Presley.”
The way my name sounds on his tongue makes me shiver.
It’s low. Dark. Decadent.
My eyes meet his.
He’s staring at me intently. “You okay?”
No. But not for the reasons you think.
I nod.
“You don’t have to be in here.”
I give him a small smile. “I know.”
We silently gather the spilled contents and put them in the box.
He stands with the box in his arms like it weighs nothing.
He nods to the door. “You go first.”
I rush through it, my heart beating faster than it should be.
Adrenaline.
Fear.
Him.
He follows behind me and shuts the door. “That always stick?”
I nod. “Margaret says it’s worse when it’s humid.”
He raises his brows. “When’s she gonna get it fixed?”
“Um... not sure.”
He nods. “I’ll fix it.”
“What?”
“The door.”
“You don't have to—”
“I know.”
I don’t protest.
Instead, I glance at it, then spin around, heading for the front.
Hades’s boots thud behind me as he follows.
I grab my keys. My elbow hits a stack of reserved books, and a couple of them fall on the floor. The sound makes me jump.
I bend to pick them up, feeling foolish.
When I stand, Hades is watching me.
“You’re jumpy.”
I shrug, putting the books back. “Too many horror movies lately.”
He studies me. “Is that all it is?”
I hesitate, thinking about the movement outside the window.
The footsteps I heard against the wooden floor.
The feeling of being watched.
I swallow hard. “Yeah.”
His eyes remain on mine.
“Just the movies.”
I head toward the front door, refusing to think about it anymore.
He’s here.
I’m safe.
I pull the door open, the bell jingling above me. I feel Hades right behind me. He’s so close, my hands shake.
Not because I’m afraid.
Something deeper.
A desire I shouldn’t feel for a man I hardly know.
I lock the door, then turn to face him. “Thank you so much.”
He stares at me.
I clear my throat. “For saving me. And for... staying.”
A slow smile spreads across his lips.
There’s a wicked look in his eyes.
But then it’s gone. “Always.”
I study him, the word rolling through my head.
Headlights shine on us as they pull into the parking lot. I turn to see Gracie driving a truck. Walter and Penny are in a car seat beside her. Penny stands, tail wagging at me as she looks out the window.
“I think she’s happy to see me.” I turn to Hades.
But he’s gone.
I blink.
Weird.
I didn’t hear him leave.
I turn back to Gracie’s truck and walk toward it.
She puts the window down as I approach. Penny immediately begins licking my hand, while Walter makes a grunting sound, tail wagging.
“He’s excited to see you, too.” Gracie smiles at me.
“I wondered what that sound was.” I look at her. “How did she do?”
“Amazing. She ate some treats. Played with Walter’s toys while he chewed on a skeleton hand.” She rolls her eyes.
“He still does that?”
“That’s one habit that’ll never be broken. He stole his leg, too. Darius took it and put it back on Mr. Bones. Walter chewed up his hat.”
A laugh bursts free.
“Walter. Are you naughty?”
He shows his three teeth at me in what is his attempt at a smile.
I grab Penny from the car seat. “Were you a good girl?”
She licks my face.
“An angel,” Gracie says. “I’ll wait here until you’re in your vehicle.”
“Thanks again, Gracie.” I give Walter a scratch on the ears. “I’ll bring your friend for another playdate soon."
As I carry Penny to my car, my chest tightens.
Hades disappeared like a ghost.
And he didn’t even say goodbye.
I put Penny in the car, then slide in beside her. I wave at Gracie and Walter as they leave.
For a moment, I stare toward the darkness where he disappeared.
For some reason, I already feel less safe without him.