“Damn. I haven’t been following the media or watching anything on the news. It usually bums me out to be honest. I had no idea Sonia was dealing with more because of me.” I sat back in my chair and pressed my fists to my eyes. “I wish I could just wake up tomorrow and it all be over.”
Ryan took his plate and as he walked by, he ruffled my hair. “Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, girl.”
I pushed my food around the plate, melancholy and sadness drifting over me like a black cloud.
Jonah got up and took our plates to the kitchen. He whispered some things to Ryan, but I didn’t care. I was lost in my own pity party for one. I got up and headed to Jonah’s room. I ran a super-hot bath and got in to soak away my troubles.
Turns out I was exhausted and slipped into a deep sleep within minutes of entering the bath.
The next thing I knew the water was stone cold and I was being hauled naked and shivering out of the bath and wrapped in a soft towel. Drowsily I allowed Jonah to lead me to the bed where he grabbed a clean shirt for me. He tugged the scrunchy holding my hair in a loose bun on the top of my head, and my dry hair came tumbling down around my shoulders. I lifted my arms dutifully and he put the shirt on over the towel. Then he stood me up and snagged the towel, yanking it off from under me, but allowing me the moment of modesty. It was cute because I was one of the least modest people in my family.
Then he pulled the covers back and I slipped in, but he surprised me by entering right behind me. One of my legs cocked up and he pressed his pajama-clad one right up against it. He pressed his face to the back of my hair and locked an arm around my waist.
“Mmm… I thought we weren’t going to sleep together.”
“Simone, I’m tired. Beyond tired. You fell asleep in the bath. My mind won’t stop unless I’m lying right here. So, shut it and go to sleep, yeah?”
“I knew I’d get you to sleep with me.” I snuggled back and yanked his arm up between my breasts and rested my lips against our clasped hands. “Not exactly the way I’d hoped, but I’ll take what I can get.”
He chuckled against my hair and yawned. “Goodnight, baby.” He kissed me on my neck right under my ear.
I shivered and sighed, content as a kitten. “Night, Jonah. Things will get better tomorrow.”
“They will if my woman would close her eyes and get some shut eye.”
I snickered but pressed my lips to his fingers and kissed each one. I did this until his breathing got more consistent and I could feel his body weight turn heavy. When I knew for sure he was asleep, I closed my eyes and prayed.
I prayed to God that he’d let Ryan and the team find the man hurting us.
I then prayed to my parents for strength and the ability to see this through.
After, I prayed to Helen. Telling her I was sorry about what happened to her and asking her to watch over Jonah. Maybe put in a word with the big guy on his behalf.
Then I went back to God and did round after round of the “Our Father” prayer until I fell into a deep sleep, letting it all go for another day.
When I woke the next day, he was already out of bed. Which sucked. Big time. I’d hoped to finagle a little bed play. The gentlemanly behavior was starting to grate on my nerves. Every ounce of my being screamed to connect with every ounce of his. And yet, I also understood where he was coming from and why he wanted to take things slow. He hadn’t had relations with a woman since he and his ex-wife ended their marriage. Now the woman was dead, and I had a sneaky suspicion he was adding that blame onto his already weighed-down shoulders.
I glanced at the clock and saw it was only eight in the morning. Today was going to be a long-ass day since I didn’t go in for another twelve hours, and I was scheduled from eight in the evening to three in the morning. And Friday nights were always packed. I’d make some serious cash tonight, God willing.
My phone rang on the side table and I reached over to grab it. I saw Sonia’s name as the caller.
“Good morning, SoSo,” I chirped. I pressed up and leaned against the headboard. Just as I got settled the bedroom door opened and an already dressed and showered Jonah entered with steaming mugs of coffee in both hands.
I smiled wide at my beautiful man. He was wearing a simple pair of dark wash jeans that had some faded areas at the thighs and a tight-fitting, black T-shirt. His hair was wet and slicked back a bit. He handed me one of the mugs and I sipped the heavenly brew and whispered my thanks.
“Operation relocate family was a success!” My sister’s voice rose in happiness.
“Excellent. Where is everyone?”
“Quinn and Niko have Liliana and Charlie, but they’d only do it if they got their own rooms. I have Blessing and Addison, and Quinn was able to secure the use of the fully furnished apartment by my biggest donor so Mom, Genesis, and Rory can spread out a bit. We’re all using that place as home base.”
“And Tabby?”
“I’m not gonna lie, Simone, I’m really worried about her. No one has heard a peep. We’ve all gone by her place, even used Mom’s key a few days ago and she wasn’t there. It didn’t look like she’d been there in a couple weeks. Her plants were dead, and her mail had stacked up. Quinn and Niko, knowing we couldn’t go out, went after hours and knocked on some doors on her floor. Turns out she was seen yesterday dashing into her apartment, and then leaving in a change of clothes and wet hair. One of them said she looked sickly and gaunt. I don’t know what that means, but we’re all freaked out.”
Dread licked up my spine and I shivered. Jonah placed his hand on my thigh and rubbed back and forth, his face a mask of concern.
“Maybe Jonah and I can try to catch her before I go to work tonight.”
“Work? At the shop? I didn’t think you worked there on Fridays.”
“No, at Tracks. And before you say anything…”
“Are you fucking insane! Oh my God!” she yelled and then a door slammed.
“SoSo I’m going to be fine…”
“Yeah you are, because you’re not going to work. There is a serial killer after you. He’s already shot you once and has killed close to a dozen women. You narrowly escaped but you know who didn’t?” The diatribe became a screech. “Your boyfriend’s ex-wife! Jesus, Simone! This is beyond stupid.”
“Frankly, Sonia, I don’t care what you think. It’s either go to work or I’m fired. I don’t have a choice.”
“We all have choices, Simone. The right choice is your life. You tell the owner to stick it where the sun don’t shine, and you quit.”
“I can’t.” Tears filled my eyes and Jonah squeezed my knee. “I need the money.”
“I’ll give you money. Whatever you need. You want ten grand, I’ll write you a check today. That should be enough to get you settled in a new place with some furniture, and then I’ll cosign and put money down on a new car for you. Whatever it takes. Do not go to work.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I have to make my own way. I have some new prospects for the future but in the meantime, I have to go to work. You don’t understand…”
“No, I don’t understand. Putting yourself willingly at risk is entirely selfish. Especially when I’m offering you an alternate route. One that will keep you alive, safe, and on the right track.”