Page 148 of Stalker

I took a sip of my drink, staring off into the distance.

“You need to go see her,” Sara stated as if she was commanding me to do so. Zach’s wife was very much that way, forceful and unforgiving.

Like someone else I knew and loved.

Someone I had set free.

“She’s better off without me,” I said. It was the same thing I’d been telling myself for almost six full weeks.

The fucking rest had been a terrible blur of dealing with police and trying to keep our stocks from tanking, which they hadn’t. In fact, the notoriety had had the opposite effect.

People were crazy for news of trainwrecks, especially when there were prominent members of society as passengers.

At least the speeding train was leading them straight to hell.

While at least eight of the men on Cain Demarco’s list had died in the course of thirty years, those remaining alive were ceremoniously being charged in the murders of at least a dozen women and from what I’d read, there were more indictments and more victims’ murders that would be pinned on them. The news had detailed the gruesome acts, Cain serving as butcher for body parts for souvenirs.

It was still unfathomable to anyone who didn’t have a dark side running through them.

“You’re full of bullshit, Wilder. You need her like she needs you.” Zach leaned back, his hand firmly placed on Sara’s knee.

“He’s right,” Xander said as he grinned. “She completes you like my woman does for me.”

“Aww. That’s so sweet. Just remember that in the middle of the night when it’s your turn to change little Michael’s diapers.” Jessica playfully punched him in the stomach.

“Michael?” I asked, lifting a single eyebrow.

“Surprise. We’re having a boy.” Xander was beaming.

“Congratulations.” I could tell the three of us were thinking the same thing even if we’d never openly admit it. Praying that the cycle wouldn’t be repeated.

No, it wouldn’t because we were determined to be decent human beings from here on out.

“That’s what you found. Happiness and love,” Jessica reminded me. “As long as you’re not pigheaded enough not to see it.”

“Me?” I pointed at my chest, trying to keep a smile on my face. How many nights of sleep had I lost in thinking about my Lady Butterfly?

More than I could count.

“Did you know she’ll be at the courthouse today? She’s in front of another grand jury that’s open to the public. You should drop by and say hi.” Zach was baiting me, something he was damn good at.

“Right. I don’t think so.”

“Such a chicken,” Xander chided. “What do you have to lose?”

“She won’t want to see me. It’s been too long.”

“Love doesn’t have a timetable,” Sara reminded me.

I shook my head, thinking about everything we’d shared. A laugh formed in my throat. “I wish I could, but I love her enough to let her go.”

That was true.

For the most part.

However, I’d thought of nothing else but spending the rest of my life with her, building on what we’d shared.

I only feared it was all about the darkness we’d both craved.

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