Page 16 of Unhinged Desires
I smirk, because I knew it would pique his interest. “I miss the country.” I shrug. “I’m heading there this afternoon. I’ll flick you through the details.”
“Fine. But I swear to fuck, Dominic, if your mother finds out I helped you buy a farm, you’ll be the pigs next meal.” He points a finger at me.
“I won’t say a word.” I laugh. There are only two people in this world who actually scare my uncle: his wife (my Aunt Emmy) and his sister in-law (my mother).
* * *
After my uncleand cousin finally leave, I walk into my home office and fire up the monitors with the live feed of Lucy’s apartment. I search every camera for her, but she’s not there.
“Where are you, Little Bee?” I ask aloud as I log in to the GPS tracking on my computer. I search the one in her car first. It shows me she’s at the library. Pulling up the clone of her phone, I read through her messages to see if she planned to meet anyone there or if she’s alone.
I don’t see anything that suggests she has company. The last message I read is one from her brother. She asked if she could stay at his place tonight, to which he replied yes. I fucking hate it when she doesn’t stay in her own apartment. I don’t have access to her when she’s not there. Though, truth be told, it’s probably my fault she doesn’t want to be alone.
I walk into my bathroom and turn on the hot water. After a quick shower, I dress in a pair of black jeans and a black shirt. If I can’t see her tonight, I’ll settle for seeing her now.
I pick up my wallet and phone. I have a stop to make on my way to the library. I noticed the vase of flowers was missing from her kitchen counter, so I decide on one tulip this time. It’s all I need to let her know that I’m still here. That she can’t escape me.
Because I won’t let her.
EIGHT
After Shar left this morning, I decided to come to the library and study for a few hours. I’ve been looking at these pages for so long my eyes are beginning to cross, but I’m not ready to go home just yet. Maybe I’ll stop by Xavier’s or visit my parents.
I push to my feet and head over to the return trolley with an armful of textbooks. When I make it back to the table a few moments later, I freeze on the spot. My eyes shoot up to scan the interior of the library. I don’t see anyone looking at me or anything that seems suspicious. My gaze drops back to the single blue tulip sitting beside my laptop. I don’t have to wonder who left it there. I already know. It was him.
Whoever he is.
Quickly packing all of my things into my bag, I hoist it over my shoulder while the tulip continues to stare at me from its spot on the desk. I hope whoever the hell this guy is he sees me pivot on my heel and leave it right the fuck where it sits.
I scan my surroundings every five seconds on the way to my car. As soon as I get in, I lock the door. My hands are shaking as I stab at the ignition button before bringing the engine to life.
Twenty minutes later, I find myself pulling into Xavier’s garage. I probably should have gone to my parents, seeing as I don’t even know if he’s here. I hover my thumb over the keypad in the elevator that lets me up to the penthouse. As much as he likes to think otherwise, my brother is accustomed to the finer things in life, and one step inside his apartment shows just how much so. It’s luxury, the kind that could rival our childhood home, which is saying a lot.
“Xavier, you here?” I yell out loud enough for anyone in earshot to hear me. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve walked in while he’s otherwise occupied with a female “friend.” He always kicks them to the kerb for me, but I don’t want to be the type of sister who’s known to bust in and cockblock. I mean, we all have needs.
Thoughts of last night’s phone call filter through my mind…
“In here,” Xavier calls back.
I walk down the hall, finding my brother seated behind his desk in his home office. “It’s the weekend. You work too much,” I tell him.
“Says the girl who just spent hours in the library on a Saturday.” He smiles.
“How’d you know I was at the library?” I ask, throwing myself down on his sofa. Thank god his interior designer chose comfortable furniture. There is nothing worse than plopping down on what you think is a comfy cushion only to land with a thump because the damn thing is hard as a rock. This particular piece is black velvet. I run my hands over the fabric, enjoying the texture.
“You’re carrying that.” Xavier points to the large bookbag I dropped on the floor when I entered.
“Observant.” I laugh.
“I try to be. What’s wrong?” He stands from his desk and walks around the side before positioning himself on the matching sofa opposite me.
“Nothing’s wrong. Can’t I just drop in and visit my only sibling?”
“You can, always. But you look… tired. Have you not been sleeping?” he asks.
“Not much.” I try to shrug it off.
“Is it school? Do you need help?” My brother, Xavier Christianson, ever the fixer. However, the thing I love most about him is the fact he doesn’t judge. Well, not when it matters anyway. If I told him I needed help with school stuff right now, I know he’d drop everything to assist in any way he could.