Page 1 of In the Dark

Chapter One

Jax ‘Key’ Thorpe adjusted the bag on his shoulder as he left Cyberlink Corp and walked down the sidewalk. Another boring day at work, dealing with assholes who thought they knew more than he did because they could fucking type.

Yeah, right.

Here he was building websites and data analysis tools and making sure their malware and firewalls were impenetrable, but hey, he was just a grunt. The ‘I pay your salary’ comments got old fucking fast, and if it wasn’t for the fact the job paid a decent wage, Key would have fucked off a long time ago.

As he was walking out the door, he’d been tasked with giving a presentation on a new security system that had to be completed within two days. Two fucking days! The guys wanted a presentation? He’d give them one. Maybe a two-hour PowerPoint one would get his message across.

Stepping around a puddle of water, Key exhaled heavily. At least it was Friday, so he could go home and get drunk. He had plans to go out Saturday and meet friends, but tonight he wanted to get home, shower, and relax with a movie and beer.

His steps slowed as he felt a familiar itch between his shoulder blades. Someone was watching him. It was virtually every night when he left work that he had this feeling. At first, he’d been concerned, spinning around to search the sidewalk behind him, but no one had been there.

He’d shrugged it off as his overactive imagination, but when he’d felt it the following night and the next, he knew someone was watching him. That had been over a month ago, and even though he had the feeling whenever he went outside, no one had approached him.

Maybe it was his imagination, after all.

Seeing his car ahead, Key sped up, and when he reached it, he unlocked it and climbed in quickly. Throwing his bag on the passenger seat, he sat back and closed his eyes, sighing deeply. He could feel the beginnings of a headache forming, the dull ache behind his eyes building.

Opening his eyes, he swung his head to the right when he saw a shadow out of the corner of his eye. As he leaned forward and searched the area, Key made sure to lock his car. If someone was out there, they’d have to smash his window to get to him.

“What the fuck?” Key muttered, jumping when his phone rang. Chuckling softly to himself, he picked it up and smiled when he saw his dad's name on the screen.

“Hi Dad.”

“Son. What time are you coming over Sunday? I was thinking beef.”

Key smiled even though he knew his dad, Charles, couldn’t see it. “Beef sounds good. I’m out with friends Saturday, so maybe one-ish.”

“Don’t get too drunk, son.”

“Dad,” Key stressed the word. He loved his dad, but he was an adult. “I’m old enough to know not to get drunk.”

“Really? Who was it last month who called me up at three in the morning to sing ‘I love you’ down the line?”

“I don’t know, Dad. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Key winced. He still didn’t remember calling Charles, and if it wasn’t for his call log, Key would have denied it.

“I love you too, son. So one, then, and will you be bringing anyone along with you?”

“Is this your way of asking if I’m seeing anyone? I’m not, so no, I won’t be bringing anyone.”

Key heard the sigh and rolled his eyes. Seriously. What was it with Charles trying to get him a man? He should be happy his son was happy and doing well, but no, he wanted to see Key married and with kids.

Maybe he didn’t want kids. Key hadn’t decided either way yet. He wasn’t in a relationship and wasn’t searching for one, either. He was twenty-eight and still had plenty of time, so why rush things? He had a good job, a nice apartment, and great friends. He was happy where his life was, even if the job did suck ass some days.

“You should look for a man. You’re not getting any younger, son.”

“Gee thanks, Dad. ‘Son, you’re getting old, so grab a man while you can.’”

Charles chuckled softly. “I want to see my only son happy. Is that such a bad thing?”

“No it isn’t,” Key murmured. “I’ll find someone when I’m ready. Maybe you should take some of your own advice. Mom has been gone a few years now, maybe you should consider dating someone.”

“I will when I’m ready…” Charles paused, then laughed. “Okay, I hear you, but your mom is a pretty hard act to follow.”

“She is, but there are many beautiful, talented women out there who deserve a great man like you. So maybe you should get out there.”

“I’ll think about it. Beef then.”

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