Page 36 of Her Nightshade

“Charlie,” I began, struggling to keep my voice calm. “I saw some…messages on your phone.”

His smile faltered, a flash of confusion crossing his face.

“My phone?” He looked over towards the bedroom and I saw a momentary flicker of realization as if he remembered what I must have seen.

“Yes,” I replied, unable to stop now. “From someone…someone tracking Jake’s every move.”

His expression hardened, but he tried to cover it with a casual shrug. His smile seemed forced as he walked towards me and slipped his hand into mine. “You’re misunderstanding this, Ana,” he said softly, as if trying to soothe me. “I just wanted to make sure he couldn’t hurt you again. I would never do anything reckless.”

I shook my head. “But this isn’t just harmless, Charlie. You have someone following him, waiting for the right moment? For what? That’s not protecting me—that’sstalkinghim for no reason. It has to stop.”

Frustration passed over his face before he masked it with a look of hurt. “Ana, I can’t let him walk away from everything he’s done to you.”

I shook my head, refusing to back down. “If you care about me, then stop watching him. Let him go. Jake is out of my life, Charlie. I don’t need you or anyone else keeping tabs on him.”

His expression softened, sighing as he shook his head. “If that’s what you want…” he said reluctantly. “I’ll call it off. No more watching him. I promise.”

I studied his face, searching for the sincerity in his words. I wanted to believe him but I could still sense his anger, lingering between us like a storm cloud waiting to break. Still, I nodded, choosing to trust him.

“Thank you,” I murmured, feeling both relief and an odd sense of dread. He pulled me into his arms, but as I rested myhead against his chest, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was far from over.

16

Charlie

What I felt for Ana was beyond logic. It stripped away any hesitation, leaving only a fierce need to make her happy, no matter the cost. I wanted what was best for her, even if she didn’t fully understand what that was yet. Just like when I asked her to mark me and let me mark her. She hadn’t realized how deeply she wanted that,neededthat. But when she felt our love physically, the devotion etched onto us both, she understood. I needed more of that—to find new ways to show her the depth of what we shared.

Hiring someone to watch Jake had been disturbingly easy. Money shut people up and made them do whatever you needed for a couple hundred thousand—a steep cost for stalking the former President. I wasn’t certain where this would lead or what my intentions were. I just knew I wanted him to hurt, to know the fear and pain he caused Ana. Part of me wanted to scare him, to see him suffer in any way I could. Ending his life—that wasstill a decision I hadn’t fully weighed. I’d never done anything like this before, but then again, I’d never felt this way about anyone before. I’d doanythingfor her, even if it meant taking down the former President for all that he did to her. But I knew Sloane would probably be devastated if something happened to him, and her pain would trickle down to Ana.

For now, I’d have to set aside my focus on Jake and find another way that could bring Ana the justice she deserved without leaving devastation in its wake.

The only thing keeping me from dwelling on Jake was channeling my energy into the songs I was writing for Ana. I wanted to surprise her, crafting each lyric and chord with her in mind. As we sat quietly together—her absorbed in work on her laptop, me scribbling notes and arranging melodies—she had no idea that each line was tailored just for her. Songs were timeless, and even after Ana and I were gone, the world would know of my devotion to her. My songs would capture the way she smelled, the way she tasted, every way I loved and adored her.

I’d reveal them to her the day before our one-month anniversary. I wanted to take her somewhere special. The timing was perfect for us to have a little getaway—my next tour didn’t start for a couple of months. Though I hadn’t told her about it yet, it was already planned: she’d be coming with me. There was no other option. Without her, I’d cancel the whole fucking thing.

But I had to tell her sooner or later. The evening was quiet, just the two of us wrapped in the comfort of our shared space. As we sat on the couch, I had a feeling that now was the time to bring it up.

I cleared my throat, trying to catch her attention. “I wanted to talk to you about something. My tour’s coming up soon…in a couple of months.” I tried to keep my tone light, but her expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“You have a tour in a couple months? And you’re just telling me now?” She set her laptop on the coffee table and crossed her arms as she sat back.

My heart sank. She was angry.

“I wanted to tell you, I just…I guess I thought it’d be easier when it was closer,” I replied, leaning closer to her. “But I was hoping you’d come with me. Actually, Ineedyou to come with me.”

She sighed, her hands falling to her lap, her gaze following. “You’ll be busy. Even if I’m with you, it’s not like we’ll have much time together.” Her voice softened, and I took her hands with mine. “I don’t want to feel like I’m in the way, or just there in the background while everything else comes first.”

The faint jealousy in her words made me pause. It stirred a flicker of satisfaction mixed with the need to reassure her. “Ana,” I said gently. “You won’t be in the background. I’d be there with you every chance I get. I won’t do this without you.”

She hesitated, searching my face, her eyes darkened with something I recognized as the same intensity that burned in me. “But will you have time for me?”

I nodded. “I’ll make time. This tour would mean nothing if you’re not there.”

She nodded slowly, but I could see the doubt lingering in her gaze. I sensed her own need to have me close, to hold onto what we had as tightly as I did. And if she needed a reminder of how much I needed her, I’d make sure she saw it.

* * *

A few days later, the invitations for Grammy pre-parties arrived, a reminder of yet another event I couldn’t imagine facing alone. I’d been nominated for a Grammy again, this time for Album of the Year, and although it was exciting, the nerves hit me everytime I thought about it. But my mind was focused on something else: the perfect way to reveal the songs I wrote for Ana. What better opportunity than a night dedicated to celebrating music?

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