Page 33 of A Midnight Romance
“Yes,” she whispers before chewing on the inside of her cheek.
The pain in her eyes is something that is familiar to me. The hunger and drive to take matters into your own hands and to bring on your own type of justice. To right the wrongs that have been done to you, feeds into this belief that you—and you alone are the only person responsible for your own outcomes.
Could I help her?
Or let her join Sebastian and me?
That would mean bringing her into my world, and I don’t if either of us are ready for it.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Really?” Lux asks with a slight optimism in her voice. The sudden change in her demeanor and the hopeful sparkle in her eye almost brings me to my knees—a puddle at her feet willing to do anything she asks.
But wouldn’t that go against what I’m trying to do by protecting her?
I nod once. “Now, go home. No other stop. I’ll be following you,” I order, before slipping out of the passenger seat and heading back to my vehicle.
Once she’s safely inside her townhouse, I take out my phone to send Sebastian a brief text.
Me: There’s been a change of plans. Meet me in my office in 30 minutes.
Then I head back to the manor.
Chapter 12
Lux
By the time the heat from the late summer afternoon slips through the shutters, I wake from a restless sleep—which has become my new normal. After River escorted me home, he remained parked in his usual spot until I eventually crawled under the covers. The anxious energy continues to pulse through my veins, forcing me to spend the entire night staring at the backs of my eyelids.
Slipping out of bed, I make my way toward the window in my bedroom, anticipating he might still be there. But I find myself hit with disappointment when his car is no longer idling.
Sighing to myself, I turn away. I should be terrified about what I asked him but I’m not. It’s the only way I know how to move forward.
I’m desperate for revenge and closure, but truthfully, I simply want my life back. The ignorance of not understanding what I’ve asked to be a part of might be clouding my judgement, as River pointed out, but I don’t feel any regret—yet.
The sudden vibration from my phone sends a flurry of butterflies swarming into my stomach, but I quickly tamp it down.
I walk over to my nightstand and grab my phone, only to find that the message isn’t from River. Not sure whether my disappointment is from the eagerness to join him or that I want to be in his presence once again.
Stevie: Dad’s working another late night. Figured we could make him dinner rather than ordering out.
I hesitate for a moment, because I haven’t seen either of them since last family dinner and I’d love to see my family, but I hate having to hide what happened to me from him and Stevie. It might be selfish of me since I could help with the investigation, but I know that my dad would never forgive himself if he knew I was one of the women who was taken and my sister would be wrecked with guilt if she knew it happened after she left.
I’m about to tell her I’m too busy, when I remind myself that this could also be the perfect opportunity to gather valuable information about the case that could help River and I.
I’m sure he has his own sources, but maybe it will help me offer him something.
Me: That’s a great idea. I should probably take a break from writing anyway.
Stevie: Awesome. I’ll stop by the grocery store, then head over to your house.
I toss my phone to the side and fall back onto my bed, my gaze following the rotating fan.
If I’m to do this with River, I can’t be distracted by him. And although I still don’t know what his face looks like, his energy and protectiveness around me is enough to give any woman’s stomach that familiar flip. Not to mention how striking the darkness is in his eyes. I almost get lost in them every time they focus on me.
It isn’t his usual time, but I can’t help but wonder what’s next. Am I supposed to wait around until he contacts me or should I reach out and ask what the next steps in our plan are?
I groan and rub a hand over my face. I’m not usually this impatient, but I hate sitting around and waiting.
