Chapter 26 Sloane
Sloane
I had to get out of there. My mind was going in a million different directions, and none of them were good.
I couldn’t even bear to look out the window as the car drove away from Van.
In that moment, I found myself glad that I couldn’t read his emotions.
I spent that entire drive back to my house racking my brain for a proper explanation as to why he would have those photos.
I found none. None that would make me feel like he wasn’t hiding something from me. I need to figure out what’s going on.
Is Van dangerous? I can’t bring myself to truly consider that as a possibility.
I saw a glimpse inside of Van’s soul tonight, and while it may have appeared dangerous, it wasn’t I’m a killer, dangerous.
Right? I’m so confused, and that’s exactly why I couldn’t spend another second inside that house with his suffocating presence.
No matter how badly I wanted to be smothered by it.
Van could have cut off my air supply with only his hands, and I would have allowed him to. I am truly going insane.
“You said it, not me.” Oh, goody, the angel has returned to bestow wisdom upon me. I wait, but there are no words from the dark one. I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad.
? ? ?
I got home, slipped the photos inside my bedside table, and took a shower.
Now, I’m in bed, staring at my ceiling. Thoughts of the two men that I’ve allowed into my life are circulating in my mind.
With Professor Riven, it’s easy and fun.
But how could I forgive him after that text message, and do I even want to after what happened with Van tonight?
I can’t lie to myself and say that the way Van’s lips felt on mine wasn’t earth-shattering.
Every single part of me was alive in that moment, and I think Van felt it, too.
I can’t go any further without answers. If anyone is great at finding the truth, it’s me.
I roll over onto my side, finally drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
? ? ?
I’m awakened in the morning by the sound of birds chirping outside my bedroom window.
I throw the covers over my head and sigh, not wanting to get out of bed yet.
Everything that happened last night comes crashing back into my mind.
I throw the covers off me and sit up on the side of the bed, reaching for my phone.
I step into my slippers and make my way downstairs to the kitchen for the only thing that will truly fix me right now, a cup of coffee.
I brew a cup, add some creamer, and head back upstairs to get ready.
Today, I plan on solving the photo box mystery.
My mind will not rest until I figure out what Van is hiding.
How I plan to figure that out has yet to be decided.
My father had a private investigator early on in his career.
I think her name was Ellen or Ella, or something like that.
My father had a falling out with her, and she pretty much walked away from the job and him.
I wasn’t privy to the details surrounding it, like so many other things in his life. I pull out my phone to send a text.
Sloane: Hey, Mom. Do you have the number of Dad’s old PI? I need to ask her a few questions.
Mom: Elle? Yeah, I do. She and I stayed close after everything. I could talk to her for you, if you’d like.
Sloane: Could you just have her call me when she can?
Mom: What is this about? You aren’t in trouble, are you, honey?
Sloane: No, Mom, nothing like that. It’s a work thing.
Mom: Okay, let me know if you need anything. I’ll let Elle know. Bye, honey. Oh, and, visit me sometime…will you?
Sloane: I will, Mom, Promise.
I make a mental note to visit her soon.
Elle, yes, that was the PI’s name. Maybe she would be able to provide some insight into my father’s life and death.
Although I’m not sure I want to add fuel to the fire that is Gideon’s past transgressions.
I was kept in the dark about so many things, and I’m not sure what I’d find if I went digging that grave. Metaphorically, of course.
I decided on wearing something comfortable today, throwing on a pair of black leggings and a dark green workout crop top.
I put on my favorite pair of running shoes and throw my hair up in a high pony so that it’s out of my face.
I put on a light serum and black mascara and then head downstairs.
I make it to the bottom step when I hear the doorbell ring and pause, looking up.
I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I’m instantly on guard.
I look down at my phone to make sure I didn’t miss a call or a text, and … wait, there’s a text from Riven.
Professor Jerk Face: Hey, sorry to bother you.
I set up the security system installation for your apartment with a guy I know.
He will be coming by to install it for you in about an hour.
Don’t worry, I won’t be there. Consider this my gift to you for my shitty behavior.
I am sorry, Sloane. I do want you to be happy… and safe.
I half thought Riven was lying about the security system.
Part of me wants to send the guy away out of nothing more than spite.
The other part of me knows that I need the security system after that break-in.
I’ve been on edge ever since it happened.
Plus, Riven does owe me for his shitty behavior.
I consider replying, but I need more time than the present allows to formulate a response to that.
I place my phone on the kitchen island and decide I’ll deal with that later. I head for the door, opening it.
The man standing in my doorway takes up the entire frame, and I have to look up to see his face.
He’s handsome in a rugged sort of way, with long brown hair that’s tied back in a man bun.
Yep, a freaking man bun. His eyes are a honey-brown color that beautifully contrasts with the darker brown of his hair.
His face is masculine with strong features.
One of his arms is covered in intricate black ink that dances over his skin, telling a story that I can tell he never plans to share.
I can see the outlines of another tattoo peeking out of his V-neck shirt.
He reminds me of a warrior, strong but deadly.
“Hi. Ms. Keenan. I’m Callum. Riven sent me here to install a security system for your home?” He poses it like a question, extending his giant hand down to me. I reach out and shake it, almost laughing at how small mine is in comparison.
“Um, hi. Yes, please come in,” I say, walking inside as he follows behind me. I head over to the kitchen island, walking around to stand on the other side. I suddenly feel like the room is too small with him inside it. But despite his immense presence, something is calming about him.
“I actually took care of the outside already. I’ll install cameras inside now, along with window and door alarms. It shouldn’t take more than an hour, maybe two.
Is it okay with you if I start in here?” He’s standing in the living room, awkwardly holding a few boxes of equipment. He looks nervous and out of place.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Do you want a coffee or water?” I ask, motioning toward the fridge.
“No. Thank you.” He stands there staring at me for a moment of awkward silence before unboxing the equipment and getting to work. I decide to make a second cup of coffee to look like I’m doing something. I’m not about to leave my house with this random guy here.
I’m sitting at the kitchen island, drinking my coffee as he’s finishing up the camera and alarms for the living room.
I’m sitting in the corner, pretending to do some work on my laptop.
I can’t help my eyes from glancing up at him every so often.
He might be big, but he moves with a grace that tells me he’s gentle and caring.
He looks my way, and I immediately avert my gaze back to my laptop.
I continue working, biting my lower lip.
If he noticed me staring, he doesn’t let on.
“I’m finished up in here. Is it okay if I go up to your room for the next installation?” My eyes move up and down his lengthy frame. He’s so big. He takes a step toward me and then pauses once he notices my expression.
“My room? What do you mean … my room? You’re not going to put a camera in there, are you?
” I ask, suddenly taken aback by the potential thought of Riven watching me.
I feel my cheeks heat, and I hear the faint screeching of a pitchfork dragging on the ground through my mind.
I push away the thoughts right along with the little demon before she can say a single word about it.
Not now. Riven is not installing cameras inside my bedroom.
Callum stares, assessing me with an expressionless look on his face.
“No, no cameras. Just a door alarm for the sliding door,” he says, pointing up to the ceiling. Oh, duh. The stupid door. Now I feel like an idiot.
“Oh. Of course. The door. Yeah, I’ll show you,” I say, closing my laptop and standing from the kitchen island stool to walk toward the stairs.
He follows behind me, and although I’m expecting to feel a suffocating sensation at my back, all I feel is a calm sort of protection.
I relax as I make my way to the top step and into my bedroom.
Good thing I decided to clean up in here earlier.
I motion toward the sliding doors against the left wall.
“Here it is,” I say.
“Thanks.” He gives me a half smile, walking toward the door. As he passes by my bookshelf, I notice he steals a quick sideways glance, and I instantly want to hide under the bed. Instead, I decide on awkward small talk. What could go wrong?
“So, how do you know Riven?” I ask, sitting on the corner of my bed. Callum starts pulling some things out of another box that he has opened.
“We’re close friends,” he says, back toward me.