Page 32 of Watch Me Burn
“I’ve never seen lights on inside this place. Every time I trespassed, it was during the day. How are the renovations coming along?”
“Slow. The property isn’t on the historical register, but the permitting has turned into a nightmare. The exterior is finished. Finally. The inside wiring is done, but we’re still waiting on approvals for plumbing before the cosmetic work can even start. My designers compose resignation letters for entertainment.”
He helps me out of the car and guides me up the front steps. The heavy oak door opens with a groan, revealing a grand foyer with scuffed hardwood floors and walls stripped of their wallpaper.
“The county wanted me to demolish it. Every delay feels like punishment for refusing.”
“That sounds incredibly frustrating. But its nefarious reputation freaks people out around here.”
The skittering of nails on hardwood echoes before the blue-gray pitbull appears, tail wagging and a purple bow around her neck this time.
“There’s that beautiful girl!” I crouch as she bounds toward me, her whole body wiggling with joy. I scratch behind her ears and have to lean back to prevent her from licking my face and destroying my makeup. “How are you, sweet thing? Are you being good for your daddy?”
“She misses you.” The tenderness in his voice pulls my attention away from the dog. I tip my head back to look at him and find he’s watching us with an expression that’s gone soft around the edges. “She enjoyed visiting your place and now whines when we pass your property on our walks.”
“Aww, is that so?” I stand up. Athena stays pressed against my legs. “She’s welcome at the sanctuary any time. She and Shadow get along so well. He and Ghost would love to have her for a sleepover sometime.”
Damien reaches down to pat Athena’s head. “I think she’d like that, but she’s a needy girl. You might end up with her in your bed before you can stop her.”
“My bed is full of animals now. I have three cats and one wolf in my bed every night.”Two wolves.“The more the merrier.”
I hope the heat rising in my cheeks isn’t noticeable in the low light.
His mouth curves into that maddening half-smile. “Are you saying you’re not discerning about who you let in your bed?”
“Nope. Not when they have fur and keep me warm.”
“I’ll remember that. Let me just get her fed and watered. I’ll be right back. Come on, girl.”
Their footsteps fade into the depths of the house, leaving me alone in the foyer. I turn in a slow circle, taking in what remains of something once beautiful. The exposed plaster and paint-stripped woodwork remind me of the house’s troubled history. A shiver runs up my spine.
I wrap my arms around myself, trying to shake the sensation of invisible eyes watching me. The phantom scent of death lingers in the air. As fascinated as I’ve always been with the property, how can Damien sleep here night after night with all the weight of this place pressing down? How many young girls had drawn their last breath within these walls?
“Ready?” Damien returns, Athena hot on his heels. Even the temptation of food can’t pull her away from her favorite person.
“Yes.” I shake off the unease skittering down my spine and smile.
“You look beautiful, Luna.” The heat in his eyes matches the warmth spreading through my chest, down to places that have no business responding to just the sound of his voice.
“You told me that already.” I smile despite myself. “But thank you. I don’t mind hearing it again.”
He takes a step closer, his gaze dropping to my mouth. For a moment I think he’s going to kiss me. Then his expression shifts, closing off, and he clears his throat while checking his watch.
“We should go. The pilot’s waiting.”
After one final scratch behind Athena’s ears and a promise to visit soon, we head back out into the snow. Instead of returning to the car, Damien leads me around the side of the house on an asphalt path that is clear of snow. The snowflakes melt as soon as they land on it.
“Hot mix asphalt. Necessary safety precaution in the mountains,” he says, like he can read my mind.
As we round the house, a sleek black helicopter comes into view, sitting on a landing pad, its blades already turning.
The engine’s pitch rises, drowning out everything else. I have to lean in. “I’ve never been on a helicopter before.”
His gaze locks onto mine. “I want to introduce you to many new things, Luna.”
Heat floods my skin. My breath catches—not from the icy air biting at my cheeks, but from the way he’s looking at me. Like he means more than helicopters and new experiences.
“Anything you want to try.” He shifts closer. “Anything at all.”
