Page 54 of Fluffed and Folded

She didn’t remember breaking into Asher’s house, but now that she pushed herself, she remembered him arriving on her doorstep. She saw that smirk for what it was—smug and heady with power.

Can I help you?she’d asked, at first believing he must have a problem with his apartment, the kind that necessitated a visit to the landlord.

He had let himself in uninvited, brushing by her as he bumped her aside.

What are you doing? Get out,she’d said, still holding the door open.

Oh, I don’t think you want me to do that,he’d replied, ignoring her as he scanned the interior of her dwelling.

I’m positive I do,she said, still holding the door open.

What are you going to do, call the police?he’d teased.

Darby remembered the apprehension she felt at those words. At the time, she hadn’t understood them, until he spoke again.Maybe,she’d trembled.

His smile had widened.Good, then I can tell them all about your midnight visit tomyapartment.

Her arms went slack at that.What?she whispered.

His smile grew impossibly wider.I guess you don’t remember. I didn’t think you did. It was like you were sleepwalking or something.

No, I, no…She’d whimpered then, hating the weak, scared sound that came out of her. What was going on? Had she actually been in Asher’s apartment? Sleepwalking? Did that explain the weird dreams, the exhaustion, the blank spots in her memory? What had she done?What had she done? Could she really go to jail for breaking into a tenant’s apartment?

Relax,Asher said, in the same taunting tone.I’m not going to bust you.

Darby had blinked at him, fear and hope mingling in her expression, until he took a step forward.

You’re going to do something for me,he said.

Darby took a step back, pressing against the door, feeling genuine fear.What?

He chuckled.Not that. It’s easy. I want you to hold on to something for me, keep it safe.

What is it?

At that point he pulled out a key and dangled it between them like he was about to hypnotize her.

Why do you need me to hold it?she’d asked, both relieved and confused. That was it? He wanted her to keep a key for him? She would have done that, even if he wasn’t blackmailing her.

I need it to be somewhere unexpected, somewhere no one can find it. Somewhere safe.

Reluctantly, she held out her palm and watched the key drop into it.I’ll hide it; I’ll keep it safe.

Good,he said, then he took another step closer and kissed her, forcefully, roughly. She whimpered and tried to shrink away, but she was already at the door. He broke off the kiss and held her face painfully in his hand.Your life depends on it,he added, then let himself out and disappeared.

“I think…I think maybe that was why I came back, to return the key? I don’t remember completely, but I do have this vague notion of being upset, of wanting to give it back, to get rid of it,” she finished telling them the story and eased impossibly closer to Eli, trembling, siphoning his warm steady presence. He gave up rubbing her back and drew her against him in a comforting half-hug while Tristan stared at her, thinking.

“Did you bring the key back, when you were here?”

“I must have,” she said, shrugging.

“Did the guy take the key from you?” Tristan asked.

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I never left the closet, never had any contact with him. I think I dissociated for a while, and then just disappeared and floated back to my apartment, not remembering anything.”

“So, the key might still be in your apartment,” Tristan said, and Darby’s jaw dropped, shocked and alarmed anew by that prospect.

“There’s a good chance,” she said, but to his back, because he had already walked away and headed toward her apartment. “I guess we follow?” she whispered to Eli.

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