Page 40 of Raven
“Either is fine,” I remarked, and she placed it on the desk.
Warhol’s name was clear as day on the envelope as Sydney stood from her seat. Phantom and Roughstock stood as she explained, “Whatever is inside isn’t my business, so I’ll give you the privacy you deserve while you open it.”
I pecked her on the lips, and she stepped around me. Following behind her, I opened the door and said, “I’ll be out in a minute. Why don’t you join the ladies?”
She nodded and glanced past me before turning and walking across the crowded, smokey room. Closing the door behind me, I went back to where I was standing as Warhol opened the envelope addressed to him and Phantom watched from his spot near the front of the desk. Roughstock walked around the front as Warhol pulled out a piece of paper. Something fell to the floor, so I leaned over and picked it up, handing it back to Warhol.
The paper had a series of numbers listed on it that didn’t seem to make any sense and when Warhol looked at what fell to the floor, his eyes grew wide. Looking over his shoulder, I saw Blur, the traitor who’d killed Nitro, on the small picture. He was holding the hands of two girls, one standing on either side of him.
“Who they fuck are they?” Phantom asked as he looked at the photo.
Warhol’s jaw clenched, and he shook his head as he said, “I don’t know who that one is, but this girl came into my office last year looking for her missing father. Her name is Darla Parker.”
“What does this have to do with Blur and my father?” Roughstock asked, holding up the list of numbers of the paper.
“I don’t know, but I swear I’m going to get to the bottom of this. One way or another,” Warhol said.
The normally reserved brother was seething and barely containing his anger. I didn’t know what this was, or how it involved Nitro’s murder, but something told me that all hell was going to break loose. I just hoped none of us were a casualty of the madness.
Chapter 18
Sydney
Last night was the best night of my life. Being claimed by Caleb gave me peace, but having him propose made me content. I’d never had someone choose me, and feeling the ring on my finger was reassuring. I still worried Caleb would decide I wasn’t worth the trouble and send me on my way, but I tried to fight the feelings of self-doubt when they arose.
He didn’t deserve my issues, and I made myself a promise on our ride home last night that I would do whatever it took to keep us happy.
Caleb had his arm wrapped around me and I was tucked against his chest as he slept behind me and as I lifted my hand and looked at the beautiful ring he’s chosen for me, I couldn’t help but smile.
“We’re going to need to tall your uncle about our engagement,” Caleb said from behind me as he flexed his arm, tugging me impossibly closer to him.
Looking over my shoulder, I smiled and replied, “If I can get him to pick up his phone. It’s gone straight to voicemail for the last few weeks.”
I rolled over to face Caleb, and he brushed a piece of hair from my face as he leaned closer and gave me a good morning kiss. “What time is it?”
I glanced at the clock behind him on the wall and responded, “A little before nine.”
We didn’t get home until very late last night and we made love until the sun rose in the sky this morning. The delicioussoreness between my legs was a reminder of how many times he made me come and how every time, he said he loved me. It was a memory that would stay with me forever.
“What time will your parents be here?” I inquired, and he shrugged one shoulder and rolled to grab his phone.
“I’ll text them and see what they were thinking,” he replied, and I started to scoot off the side of the bed. Caleb reached out and held onto my wrist, asking, “Where are you going?”
“Bathroom then coffee,” I replied and gave him a wink as I clipped from the bed. “Damn, the floor’s chilly.”
“We’ll get some rugs to put on the floor,” he answered as I walked around the bed and into the bathroom. “I can’t have my baby getting cold feet.”
I could hear the worry in his voice, and after I used the restroom and washed my hands, I grabbed his robe from the back of the bathroom door and walked back into the bedroom. He was scrolling on his phone and turned to look at me as I approached his side of the bed.
Leaning over, I kissed him softly and said, “You’re stuck with me. I’m not going anywhere.”
He smiled and his phone chimed in his hands. Lifting the device, he looked at whatever the message was as I went to the dresser and opened the drawer he insisted I take. I began slipping on clothes as he read the message.
“Mom said they’ll be here at noon, and my sister will be here after church, around twelve-thirty.” I glanced and saw him leaning up on one elbow as he typed a response then tossed his phone onto the bed.
“Do you want some coffee?” I asked as I slipped a pair of his socks onto my cold feet.
“Yes, please,” he replied as he flipped the covers back, showing his naked, toned body.
