Page 32 of Sir Avery's Wish
Rogan locked eyes with him. “Go ahead, Eli. With as much detail as possible.”
Eli swallowed hard, took a deep breath, then launched into the entire horrible event. It didn’t escape his notice when, halfway through his tale, Ryan jammed his thumb into his mouth. Never had Eli comprehended age play more than he did in that moment.
Once he concluded with getting on the bus headed to Boston, he let out a long sigh and fell back against the couch cushion. He didn’t realize until then that he’d been as rigid as a board the whole time he spoke. Avery's hand found his, threading their fingers together.
“You did good, sweetheart.” Avery stroked the back of Eli’s hand with his thumb.
Rogan leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Eli, you said the killer got a good look at you. Can you describe him?”
The memory made Eli's skin crawl. “White guy, short, straight dark hair, but I couldn't see the color clearly under the streetlight. He was wearing black, a hoodie, I think. It fit loose. When he looked at me...” Eli shuddered. “His eyes were beady and close together. Maybe brown? And there was something wrong with his face. Like a scar or something on his left cheek."
Rogan nodded, pulling out a small notebook. “Age?”
Eli let out a puff of breath. “He could’ve been anywhere between mid-twenties and forty. It was so dark, and everything happened so fast.”
“Understood.” Rogan scribbled some more, then lifted his head. “And you’re sure he saw your license plate?”
“Yeah…” Eli scratched his head. “He must have. He was chasing us for at least five minutes.” He shuddered. “I’ve never driven like that in my life. It’s a miracle I didn’t crash.”
“You did the right thing by running, Eli,” said Rogan.” Your instincts were good.” His voice carried a gravelly quality that spoke of years dealing with the worst humanity had to offer. “I have a friend who works out of the LA office of the FBI. He’s asharp investigator and will be discreet. I’ll pass this information on to him and see what he can do. He might want to speak with you as well.”
Eli nodded. “Of course.”
Rogan pressed his lips together, his brow wrinkling. “One other thing. Your friend Lenny. Do you think he’s safe where he’s staying?”
“Well…” Eli’s gut tightened. He’d been worried about the same thing. But Lenny insisted he hadn’t seen anyone strange hanging around. “He thinks so.”
Zane’s brow furrowed. “But you don’t.”
Eli shook his head. “I wanted him to come with me, but he didn’t want to leave LA. He grew up there like me, but he’s way more attached to the city than I am.”
Zane narrowed his eyes. “Hmm… What do you think, Rogan? Avery?”
Eli glanced up at Avery, who was rubbing his chin, his eyebrows pinched together. He seemed as concerned as Rogan and Zane.
Avery turned to him. “Do you think you can talk him into relocating here temporarily until this is all figured out? I have a few rooms in the hotel I keep vacant for emergencies. He’s welcome to stay in one.”
Eli let out a relieved sigh. “I’ll try again to convince him.” Now that Avery was offering a solution, Eli felt a glimmer of hope that maybe Lenny would listen. “Actually, I think he might be more willing now. He’s been pretty shaken up, but was worried about where he’d go if he left LA.” Another thought struck him. “He might not want to leave his job, though. He’s been there a long time and does really well.”
“What does he do?” asked Zane.
“He’s a server at an upscale restaurant.” Lenny’s attempt to convince him to work there felt like a million years ago, rather than a mere three weeks. “I think he’s pretty attached to it.”
Ryan pulled his thumb from his mouth. “I’d think he’d be more attached to living.”
Zane popped Ryan on the butt, frowning. “That doesn’t help, boy. Apologize.”
Ryan turned to Eli, his eyes glimmering. “That came out wrong, I’m sorry. But I don’t want him to live in Los Angeles anymore.”
Eli nodded. “Me neither, Ryan. Me neither.”
Chapter Nine
Avery left work early to make room in his closet and drawers for Eli’s things. Even if Eli didn’t possess much of a wardrobe or other belongings right now, he wanted to make sure he felt welcome. After closing an empty dresser drawer, he sat on the edge of the bed.
Was he setting himself up for heartbreak? Eli already had a life, a home, and family on the other side of the country. More than anything, he wanted Eli to be out of danger so he could live without having to look over his shoulder anymore.
But when Eli asked him if he could spend the night again, inviting Eli to stay for as long as he wanted had fallen from his lips before he could stop himself.
