Devlin

My eyes were opening, but I could barely make out a shadowy figure in front of me. I kept blinking, and it worked. My vision cleared, but my head felt like hell. I looked at my father who had a smile on his face. “You’re awake, son. God damn it, boy, who’d you piss off this time?” he tried to joke, but the shaking in his voice told me he was frightened. He grasped my hand and I squeezed it back.

I tried to crack a smile, but his words only served to make me furious. “It wasn’t me, but I want to know who is after her,” I growled.

“After who, son?” my dad asked fearfully.

It was a fucking close call today, but I didn’t know how she was. I knew she wasn’t close enough for the blast to get her, but I wondered if it was just a diversion to snatch her. “Selene. Her car was the one that exploded. Damn, my head is throbbing.”

“Devlin, you suffered a concussion, as well as some bruising and scrapes, but thank God you didn’t blow up, too,” he said. I could feel my body and besides being sore as hell there wasn’t too much wrong.

“Do you remember what happened, sweetheart?” my mother asked, stepping up and sweeping a kiss on my forehead. 

I told them what happened. “I was sitting on the car, but when I saw Selene come out of the building and into the lot, I jumped off and started walking towards her. She looked scared, so I rushed and then boom.”

“Well, I guess she had reason. Who is she?” he continued to question me, but I didn’t mind talking about Selene.

“The woman from the museum,” I said as I hit the button to lift my bed to a sitting position.

“The bitch who cost the company our business because she was acting like a slut?” He was indignant.

“No, the other one,” I admitted proudly.

“Oh, the one you were interested in. The single mother?”

“Yeah, that’s her, but she doesn’t have any kids. She’s a teacher. Now I need to know who’s after her,” I stated with conviction. My father nodded next to me.

“Please, Devlin, stay out of it.” I looked to the door. Selene stood right there, watching me with tears in her pretty blue eyes, her arms hugging herself.

“I’m not going to,” I stated plainly. I was already too invested. She didn’t have any idea yet, but she soon would. The fact that someone tried to steal my something special from the world would be the reason for their eventual fate. I didn’t get to the top playing nice and walking away with my tail between my legs.

“You don’t know what he’s capable of,” she tried to plead with me.

“The guy from last week?” I growled, thinking it was her lover who may have found out about me.

“There was no guy. I lied. It’s my stalker. He found me again.”

“Dad, call Reggie in. I need a favor,” I quietly requested. My father stepped out of the room for a second, but not before giving me another small nod. I knew what he meant, but now wasn’t the time to talk about my relationship with Selene.

“Devlin, please. You’re lucky to be alive. Just leave it alone,” she pleaded again, but she was crazy if she thought I was just going to let this go. Even if it wasn’t for her, I wanted revenge for myself. Sitting there, I just stared at her beauty. She was perfect even stressed. She hadn’t changed out of her school clothes yet, and I thought she looked sophisticated and sexy. Her dress suit was a light gray color and tight to her figure. My father walked back into the room and said, “Done.” Reggie would be here soon to protect my woman.

“Come here for a moment, please, Selene.” She came fully into the room, but unhurriedly to the side of my bed. She was nervous as she looked around at my parents. “Selene, this is my father, Devlin, Sr, and this lovely woman is my mother, Marie. Dad, Mom, this is the beauty I told you about.”

“Devlin, please. Just forget you met me. I’m leaving before he finds me here,” she sobbingly muttered. I could feel the fear pouring off her. I knew the guy was dangerous, but I’d protect her with everything I had.

“Why didn’t you have him arrested?” my father asked Selene. If he’s her stalker, I couldn’t believe she didn’t have him locked away already.

“Mr. Jacobs, sir, it’s not that easy. He’s gotten away with it. It’s his word against mine. When I went to file a restraining order, they told me he would get my address, so he’d know to stay away. I refused because I didn’t feel it would protect me. Then he came around and I went back to do it, only to find he’d just filed one on me. They had me keep my distance from him, and I used that to get far away”

“How could he get away with that?” I shouted. I took her hand in mine, holding it tight. She didn’t pull away, but I could see that ready to run look on her face.

She took a deep breath. It was clear it was something big. I wondered if they had a relationship and it ended badly. “Because I accused him of attempted murder, and since he supposedly had an alibi, it looked like I was out to get him.”

“Who do you think he attacked?” I inquired. This fuck was super dangerous.

“I don’t think, I know.”

Squeezing her hand, I asked, “Who, baby?” I wanted answers because somebody was going to pay.

She took a long time to speak. “My then boyfriend. He walked straight up to us in a mask and shot James right in the chest. I’ll never forget Ken saying it was my fault. Now, please, Devlin, for your own safety, stay away from me.” After dropping that bombshell, she pulled her hand out of mine and rushed from the room.

My dad had his phone to his ear by the time she reached the door.