XV
MICAH
‘‘T hat is the important thing we had to do?”
Arlo didn’t hear me. If he did, the bastard completely ignored me. His eyes were glued to Storm, who seemed happy to chat with him, as all they did talk about were her books.
The only reason he was still alive was because he made her happy. I wasn’t going to allow them to meet anytime soon again, so I let go of it for the time being. It didn’t mean I liked it. In fact, I abhorred the thought of that moron even sharing the same air as Storm.
“It’s the most important thing to me.’’ Arlo finally opened his damn mouth, without looking at me, and then passed another book to Storm.
After dramatically announcing that there was an important matter to deal with immediately, he returned to his car and came back carrying a giant duffle bag. I thought it contained a decapitated body or weapons, but no.
It was filled with every single fucking book Storm had ever published.
And he wanted all of them signed.
“Thank you so much.’’ He beamed like a child, showing his tooth gem. I wanted to knock it out of his mouth.
My eyebrow twitched at Storm’s warm and welcoming smile.
I only needed to put up with this for tonight.
Why did one evening feel like an eternity?
The two of them clicked. His carefree personality was only a facade, though.
He was far more dangerous than I was ever going to be. His parents were two of the best assassins in the world, and Arlo was trained since he was a child to become one as well. He surpassed his parents a long time ago.
He had a nickname, too.
The ghost.
No one ever saw him come, no one ever saw him leave, but the traces of him were always left behind. He was brutal, smart, and quick. He didn’t deal with torturing, though the state of bodies he left could’ve fooled me.
Arlo De Santis was the epitome of cruelty and terror.
But he was head over heels in love with the woman who was his match. I didn’t bother learning her name, but since they were set to marry next summer, I didn’t truly see him as competition.
However, I despised the atmosphere around him and Storm.
“It’s not a problem.’’ Storm grinned. “I can add you to the PR list and send you the next one before it releases.’’
His eyes screamed happiness. “You would do that? Yes, please!’’
I cleared my throat and pulled Storm’s chair closer to mine. She gave me a death stare, but didn’t have the chance to speak since Arlo beat her to it.
“Before he kills me, I’ll start talking,’’ Arlo smartly concluded, the smile lingering on his face, but life seemed to drain from his eyes.
Storm noticed it, too, though she didn’t comment on it.
“Good choice.’’
“First things first, all traces of your conversations with Morrison are gone. No one can now connect the two of you.’’
Storm blinked.
“But when I met him for the first time, a lot of people saw us together. What about the rest of the crew I came here with?”
Arlo shrugged. “Right now, the only evidence is their memory, but there isn’t anything physical tying you to them.’’
“What about the emails, phone calls, and security cameras at the airport?”
Arlo grinned. “Don’t worry, Storm. We’ve gone through everything with a fine-tooth comb. The chances of you being on camera are nonexistent. Relax a little.’’
Storm frowned. “But the rest of the detectives are still posing a threat, right? They don’t have any evidence, but they will be looking for them, especially now.’’
“That can be easily fixed.’’
Storm gave me a death glare. “You’re not killing them. That will only work in their favor, not ours. So any plans? Laying low? Living life as this never happened?”
Arlo hummed. “That’s your best shot. If you’re approached by them — you don’t know them. You’ve never met or seen them.’’
“Gotcha.’’
“Now if you’re done, get the fuck out of my house.’’
“Micah!”
Arlo started whining like a toddler whose toy had been taken away. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and turned his head to the side, avoiding looking at me.
“Leave,’’ I demanded sternly.
Somehow, I managed to get the word through his thick skull. With a sigh, Arlo picked up all the signed books, putting them back in the bag neatly and carefully. He threw it over his shoulder and grinned at Storm.
“It was so lovely meeting you. I hope I can see you again.’’
I scowled at him, and he finally looked at me with an eye roll.
“And I have to talk to you in private, so follow me.’’
In a way, he was my superior.
His entire family had been working for the Rapscallion for a while, much before I ever joined. Up until now, I respected his work ethic and dedication. Right now, I was second-guessing everything.
The bastard was too friendly toward Storm. I didn’t like it, not one bit.
I walked with him toward his car. Putting the bag on the backseat, he whisked out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. When he extended one for me, I took it, lighting it and inhaling the nicotine.
It filled my lungs, and I was finally able to breathe freely.
“What did you want to speak to me about?”
“Always so damn stern,’’ he grunted. “But I’m a little worried. It’s not like you’ve removed all obstacles. Storm will have to either quit her job and move somewhere far away with you, or she’ll have to keep you as her dirty little secret.’’
“Aren’t you in the same boat?”
Arlo shrugged. “Not exactly. The opposite, actually. It’s my butterfly who has to remain hidden, and I prefer it like that.’’
“So, what do you want me to do?”
He looked at me, blowing a cloud of smoke from his mouth. “You going down could possibly lead toward us going down. I won’t let that happen, so you better take care of this. No witnesses.’’
“You heard Storm, killing them won’t do us any good.’’
“That’s your issue to fix. Either kill them or make sure they stay silent. Or I will, and I’m not merciful enough to let them live now that they know about your whereabouts.’’
Arlo threw the cigarette bud on the ground, and lightly stomped on it. Then, he looked at me and, somehow, it made the blood in my veins freeze.
“Deal with it, Micah. I won’t tell you again.’’
—
By the time I was finished with my cigarette, Arlo had driven off, and Storm was in the kitchen, washing the few remaining dishes. Quickly, I ran toward her and closed the tap.
“What are you doing?”
“Did I or did I not tell you not to overwork with yourself?”
Storm sighed, wiping her hands on the paper towel. “You need to stop doing that. I’m fine. I won’t break if I was a couple of glasses.’’
“No, but the glass might break and you could cut yourself.’’
The chances of that happening were slim, but they were still there. She needed to rest because after everything she’d gone through, only she knew how she was able to keep herself in one piece.
I had too many things to worry about. The next couple of weeks were bound to be terrible, if not longer. If I wanted to deal with this properly, I couldn’t just find those detectives and kill them. I was bound to get caught that way.
However, the other option, which would have succeeded, meant leaving Storm again. Though this time, she would’ve known for how long and when I was going to be back.
“I’m not a child.’’ She crossed arms in front of her chest, and I picked her up in my arms, leading her out of the kitchen. “Oh, you’ve got to stop doing this.’’
I grinned. “No can do, Bambi. I love carrying you around.’’
Storm was silent while I was taking her upstairs, ready to put her to bed. I’d been really restraining myself from touching her needlessly, since I didn’t want her to overwhelm herself.
“What did you and Arlo talk about?”
My shoulders went rigid, and she caught onto it immediately.
“Let’s sit down first.’’
“You’re scaring me,’’ she said as I plopped her on the bed, and I took a seat next to her.
“Arlo wants me to deal with the consequences of my actions, but that means I have two options.’’
Storm’s expression fell and sorrow filled her eyes.
“You’re leaving me again, aren’t you?”
I grabbed her hand and kissed the inside of her palm, staring into her eyes. Seeing the look of pain flash behind those big, deep brown eyes made my heart shatter into a million pieces. I never wanted her to feel like this again.
“This time, I’ll have a return date,’’ I tried to joke, but she didn’t laugh. “And you and I will remain in contact; we just wouldn’t be able to see each other.’’
She swallowed harshly. “For how long?”
“One year, at most.’’
“Another year,’’ she whispered. “I barely survived without you, and you want me to go through that hell again? What is that big plan, anyway? Are you killing everyone who might be suspicious of the two of us?”
“Trust me, Bambi, this isn’t what I wanted, either. The two of us will never be able to live freely, but if I can at least make it so that we wouldn’t have to be hiding at all times, I will do it. And it doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be killing them.’’
“I don’t care!” she yelled and rose to her feet. She began pacing back and forth in the bedroom, and all I could do was sit there and let her vent out her frustrations. After everything I’d put her through, she deserved at least that much.
“Please, Bambi.’’
“Don’t you dare,’’ she yelled once more, pointing her index finger at me. “What am I supposed to do to keep you by my side, Micah? Were three years not enough for you to complete your bullshit? Am I supposed to wait another lifetime?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. There’s not anything I can say to defend myself.’’
She ignored me. “And what do you mean you’ll stay in contact? You? By doing what? Coming into my apartment when I’m not at home or asleep, or just watching me across the street? If that’s your definition of contact, I don’t want it.’’
“No, it won’t be like that.’’
“Listen to me, you bastard. I gave up everything for you. I was prepared to even quit my job and move to this goddamn forest with you, because I love you so fucking much. And this is what I get in return?”
“It won’t be forever.’’
“Uh-uh, that’s what you said last time, too.’’
Storm was now standing in front of me, fury written all over her face. Her cheeks were rosy, and although she didn’t cry, she looked so fucking sad. I hated myself for doing this to her.
“I know,’’ I sighed. “I won’t offer any more excuses.’’
“Then just keep me with you while you deal with all of that.’’
Softly, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward me. She straddled my lap and her sweet scent hit my nose. Hugging her tightly, I buried my head in the crook of her neck, enjoying her smell.
“I’m giving you an opportunity here. One year. Do whatever you want for one year, and then I’ll whisk you away from this world. Everything you’ve ever known will become nothing but a memory and you won’t be able to see your family or friends frequently. Think of it as a last chance to do whatever is it you desire.’’
“But all I desire is to stay with you,’’ she sobbed, grabbing me by the hair and yanking my head, forcing me to look at her.
“And we’ll have the rest of our lives to spend together.’’
The trembling of her body slowly eased and she caressed my cheek. Her soft touch made all my worries disappear. We were going to push through this.
“Promise me you’ll come back.’’
“I promise.’’
“Promise me this is the last time.’’
“I promise.’’
“Promise me that it won’t be more than a year.’’
“I promise.’’
“Good.’’ She swallowed. “If you don’t keep your promises, I’ll personally send you to prison. At least that’s an excuse not to be with me.’’
I chuckled, but her stern expression made my smile drop.
“It’s a deal.’’
Then, her lips came crashing onto mine.