1
Daveigh Little’s heart started racing even before she awakened. It was as if whatever horrors Hogan experienced in his dreams had traveled across realities and breached the walls of their two-story cottage to poison his big sister’s peaceful slumber. Stirring fretfully, Davey jerked awake as another scream tore through the darkness. Throwing back the covers, she launched herself from the bed and ran down the hall into Hogan’s room. Pulse thundering in her ears, she frantically slapped on the light switch and scanned the bedroom but didn’t see him. The bed was empty.
Covers were in disarray and clothing strewn about the floor, reflecting the typical teenage boy’s idea of housekeeping. The sound of a soft whimper drew her gaze to the closet, and Davey dashed toward it without hesitation. She found Hogan inside, crouched in a corner beneath a rack of sweaters and winter coats. His eyes were wide open but unfocused, and Davey knew he was far from this world.
As her veins flooded with worry and fear, she took a timid step forward and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. He was trembling.
“Hogan?”
He squeezed his eyes shut. When they re-opened, the empty stare was gone. It had been replaced by pure terror. “Who are you?” he asked in a desperate whisper. “What are you?”
“It’s okay, monkey. Try to wake up.”
“Stay away from me.”
Davey wanted to punch the wall. She always felt so helpless whenever one of these episodes overtook her brother. Nothing she had ever tried could rouse him from this frightening state. The experts advised to not attempt waking someone who was sleepwalking, to simply guide them out of harm’s way and back to bed if possible. But when Hogan got like this, any attempt to relocate him only made things a thousand times worse. It wasn’t often, but sometimes talking to him helped. So, Davey gave it a try.
“I’m here, Hogan.”
He tucked his head between his knees and whimpered again.
“I’m here,” Davey repeated with an aching heart. She squeezed his hand. “I’m here.”
He never answered. The hand Davey held remained limp, but she never let go.
An hour could have passed. Maybe more. Davey wasn’t sure because she found it impossible to have a sense of time while sitting in the dark, on the hard floor, inside a windowless closet. But at last, Hogan dragged in a deep inhale—like a diver who’d been holding a breath underwater for nearly too long—and returned to the land of consciousness.
He looked at her, really seeing her this time, and then quickly turned away. “I’m sorry,” he said miserably.
“It’s okay.” Wrapping her arms around him, Davey hugged him tight. “I love you, monkey.”
Trembling against her, a cold sweat blistered his skin. “I love you too,” he whispered.
“Do you remember anything?”
Hogan shook his head. “It’s mostly just a feeling. I know the bad man was chasing me, but he didn’t get me this time.”
“That’s good.” She smoothed a slick of damp hair away from his forehead.
“Davey?”
“Yeah?”
“I remember something else. Someone else was there…but I couldn’t see his face.” Hogan stared up at his sister with wide eyes. “He told me not to be afraid, and he helped me hide from the bad man.”
“That’s good, Hogan,” Davey said and squeezed him tighter, holding him close so that he couldn’t see the desperation written on her face. “I’m glad the bad man didn’t get you.”
∞∞∞
The next morning, Davey slammed the dishwasher shut for a third time, violently rattling its contents, and the damned latch finally caught. She gritted her teeth. Getting angry with an inanimate object was futile and maybe slightly insane, but she was at that point. It had been a long night. Staying up with Hogan until his episode passed meant missing several hours of much needed rest. To make matters worse, she’d slept through her alarm, and now both she and Hogan were going to be late. As if she didn’t have enough shit to deal with.
“Hogan,” Davey called, distracted. She tried to choose the correct wash cycle but the stupid button was jammed. “Are you almost done?”
It was a miracle they’d somehow made it this far. Hogan was halfway through his junior year of high school, doing well socially, and excelling in all of his classes—with only one exception. English. For Hogan, his studies in literature were nearing disaster. Ironic considering how much the kid used to love story time.
“Hogan,” Davey yelled loudly. Hearing no answer, she marched to the bottom of the stairs, preparing to scream at the top of her lungs, but then Hogan appeared on the landing. Unfortunately, he was still wearing his damn pajamas.
“I’m almost finished. Ten minutes.”
“You have five.” She huffed in exasperation. “Why aren’t you ready? Did you oversleep too?”
Hogan shrugged. “You weren’t up, so I didn’t bother.”
Davey threw her hands in the air. “Regardless of what I do, you know you have to be at school, Hogan. So, don’t give me that shit. Work with me.”
Rapidly approaching six feet tall, Hogan had overtaken his sister in height, yet his gangly stature hinted he still had more growing to do. “I’m sorry.” With a look of utter chagrin, he stared down at the floor. “It was a long night.”
Ugh. She winced. At fifteen, Hogan remained a sensitive kid. He hadn’t allowed tragedy to harden him. Unlike Davey. “I know. I know,” she said in a voice softened by regret as she pressed both hands to her cheeks. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Just go finish getting ready, okay?”
“Do I still have five minutes?”
“Yes. Go,” Davey urged, barely hanging on to her last thread of patience.
Satisfied that Hogan was out of sight and the dishwasher was safely running through a presoak cycle, Davey went to finish packing her workbag, double-checking to ensure everything was in place. It had been a tough week at the lab. The last three attempts to reanimate a single-celled organism—although showing significant promise—had all ended in failure. However, through mathematics, unorthodox science, and a little luck, Davey was certain that she was about to achieve a major breakthrough.
“Though why you continue to fucking care so much is beyond human understanding,” she muttered under her breath.
“You know why. You’re just afraid to admit it,” Hogan said from behind her, causing Davey to nearly jump out of her skin.
She gritted her teeth. “I hate it when you sneak up on me like that.”
Adjusting the straps of the red backpack he’d carried to school since the seventh grade, Hogan shrugged. “I’m ready.” Aside from a few stubborn cowlicks, his dusty blond hair was neatly combed. The khakis and white button-down shirt he wore as part of his school uniform were neatly pressed. And both of his socks matched.
“Where are your shoes?”
Eyebrows lifting with surprise, Hogan looked down. “Right,” he said, and plopped onto the sofa to hurriedly slip on a pair of canvas sneakers.
It was amazing how he reverted to a completely normal kid—well almost normal—after every midnight trip to the twilight zone. If the same thing were happening to Davey, she’d be in a constant state of freaking out. Although, the fact that Hogan couldn’t exactly remember whoever or whatever terrorized his dreams was probably a huge help in maintaining a certain amount of sanity. Other than the sense of being terrified and a vague notion of “the bad man,” her brother remembered nothing. He only suffered from exhaustion the next day.
Turning away from Hogan, Davey swore. The damn car keys weren’t in her bag. “Have you seen—”
Hearing the unmistakable jingle of metal on metal, she looked up and didn’t bother to finish the question. “Thanks,” she said as he tossed her the keys. She easily caught them in mid-arc. “Let’s get going, kiddo. I’m sure the headmaster is going to want to talk to both of us.”
Davey sighed. Hogan was a great kid, but he was well on his way to topping his big sister’s record of detentions served—and mostly because of tardiness. Unfortunately, his condition had intensified during the past six months. The nightmares were certainly getting worse and coming more frequently. Davey couldn’t shake the feeling that they were either spiraling toward something incredible or something completely terrifying.
After closing the front door, she went to join Hogan, who was already waiting inside of the sporty little sedan destined to become his after his next birthday. The car was probably too lavish of a present for a soon to be sixteen-year-old, but Hogan was a special kid, and he had endured some pretty fantastic shit during his short time on this planet. He deserved the best, and as his big sister and surrogate parent, Davey was going to make sure he got the best. Besides, the kid was way more mature than Davey had been at the same age.
If only it were possible for the headmaster to know how special Hogan is. Then she would cut him some slack, Davey thought. Or maybe not, she added bitterly, but smiled so as not to alert Hogan to the dark turn of her musings.
Sometimes, the world takes the gifted, chews them up, and spits them to the dogs.
She patted Hogan’s head as the engine purred to life. “I guess we’re off to see the wizard,” she said.
“Am I the lion, the scarecrow, or the tin man?”
Davey laughed. “You’re definitely Toto.”
∞∞∞
Davey checked her watched as discreetly as possible. Headmaster Catherine Bannister had about ninety seconds to conclude her patronizing lecture before Davey either completely lost her shit or politely interrupted. Hopefully, it would be the latter and she would calmly offer a succinct apology, excusing herself in order to go start a job that might one day revolutionize the world of science.
Davey smiled. Even after eleven years, two college degrees, and an internship with one of the most brilliant minds of modern science, nothing had changed. She was still very much a screw-up when it came to high school. Only this go-around, it was her kid brother’s reputation on the chopping block. The thought was enough to fortify her resolve to maintain her composure.
That commitment arrived with great timing because the headmaster’s stern appearance had grown even more severe. “Have I said something to amuse you, Ms. Little?”
“No,” Davey said quickly, shaking her head.
Frowning, Headmaster Bannister crossed her arms. “Then explain to me why Hogan continues to miss the first bell, setting an example of disorder and rebellion that undermines our core values here at Welling and St. Aire.”
Seeing a way out for them both, Davey took a deep breath. “There’s something you really need to understand about Hogan. I was hesitant to tell you before, but now it no longer seems prudent to keep this information from you, Headmaster.”
Having successfully grabbed the headmaster’s full attention, Davey took a moment to carefully consider what she would say next. Folding her hands together, she slowly leaned forward and began her story in a most solemn tone. “I’m Hogan’s guardian because our parents were murdered during my senior year of high school. Our only living relative is an uncle who’s currently serving time in federal prison. When our parents died, they left behind nothing—no assets and no inheritance.” Davey allowed a dramatic pause before going on. She needed the full impact of her words to sink in.
“One of the officers assigned to our case was kind enough to take us in, looking after Hogan long enough for me to finish college and get a decent job.” Davey smiled with both fondness and sadness. Back then, Sgt. Beauregard Solomon had shared a special bond with Hogan, and eventually he had become like a father to Davey—the father she’d never had. “But then his wife got really sick,” she continued. “Terminal cancer. Her dying wish was to travel the world and see as much of it as possible before becoming too sick to do so. We love our former guardians very much, so how could we have possibly denied them that—a final precious few months between two soulmates.” Davey stopped again. The headmaster was completely hooked, leaning so far forward, she might have tipped off of her seat at any moment. Her frown was gone, replaced by an expression that conveyed absolute concern.
“I’m nowhere close to having my shit together, Headmaster, but I’m trying. Unfortunately for my brother, I’m all he’s got.” Davey swallowed as her voice cracked with emotion. It was time to throw in a dose of fiction. “He was there when our mom was murdered. He witnessed the whole thing. The tardiness you find so offensive is caused by sleepless nights when he relives the horror of what he saw over a decade ago. We’ve tried every sort of therapy that you can possibly imagine, but nothing seems to work. The night terrors are apparently something we’re just going to have to live with—at least for now.” Clearing her throat, Davey fell silent. Then she dropped her gaze and dabbed her eyes with the edge of her sleeve.
The performance worked. The headmaster’s concern had become shock, followed by sympathy, sadness, and lastly, shame. Davey was willing to bet money that Headmaster Bannister wouldn’t be a problem anymore. Perhaps Hogan would even receive a pardon from serving a few detentions.
Outside of the office, she met up with her brother, walking with him to give the impression of escorting him to his first class, but as soon as they were out of the headmaster’s sight, Davey grabbed Hogan by the collar and pulled him close. “I told Headmaster Bannister that you have night terrors because of what happened to Mom and Brady. If it comes up, play along or consider both our asses screwed.”
For a second, Hogan gawked at her with open disbelief. After blinking several times, he shook his head slowly. “Mildly sociopathic, but well-played. I’m down for the con.”
“You’re a great kid.” Davey lightly bumped his shoulder with her fist. “Have fun, and don’t get stuffed into any lockers today.”
“That hasn’t happened since grade school,” Hogan grumbled, fumbling with his backpack.
“More like freshmen year when you finally outgrew the lockers.” Davey checked her watch. If she didn’t get to work within the next half hour, Dr. Kane was going to fire her. “Pick you up at four?”
Hogan shook his head. “I have practice today.”
“Okay, seven then. See you later,” she said and hurried off.
Davey couldn’t get to her car fast enough. It was mornings like this that she most appreciated the extra horsepower garnered from the turbocharged engine, as well as the vehicle’s compact size. It certainly made maneuvering in and out of traffic much easier, darting between slowpoke minivans driven by suburban moms who were one bottle of wine away from rehab, and elderly commuters who had no place to be except Bingo, but couldn’t see ten feet beyond the front of their enormous old cars.
Pulling into her assigned space, Davey dashed across the parking garage to the elevator. Since it was well past the time that everyone normally arrived, only a few seconds passed before the bell dinged and the doors slid open. Riding alone for five stories, she reached the level that housed TruGreen Labs—a subsidy of Global Cures, aka the monster Davey swore she’d never work for. However, many years had gone by and a lot had happened, forcing Davey to grow up and accept things her younger self never could have. An oath made by a defiant and naïve seventeen-year-old had been annulled out of necessity.
“The ends justify the means,” Davey said under her breath, as she had many times before, swiping her badge to gain access to the secure entrance.
Dropping her belongings off in the ten-by-ten room that contained employee lockers, Davey threw on her lab coat and hustled down the hallway to her assigned department. She peeked through the clear glass paneling surrounding the main door and saw Dr. Kane bent over a microscope. Notes were scattered on the stainless-steel table and a string of calculations were scrawled on the whiteboard behind him.
Muttering a swear, Davey quickly adjusted a few misplaced strands of her cropped blonde hair and smoothed her blouse, trying to steady her emotions before opening the door.
“Good morning, Dr. Kane,” she called out and headed straight to freezer to check on tissue samples. It wasn’t that she was avoiding her boss. Davey was simply avoiding the conversation she’d been dreading since last night. She took her time examining the petri dishes and logging results in a notebook that hung nearby on a metal shelf. The task probably took longer than it needed to, but Davey was really in no hurry to face Dr. Kane. Eventually, she ran out of data to record and the inevitable could no longer be avoided. Leaving the freezer, Davey went to review the formulas newly scribbled across the whiteboard.
Dr. Travis Kane was a brilliant scientist, but eagerness often exceeded his genius. Double-checking his findings was a big part of Davey’s job description. Gifted in her own right, she usually spotted his mistakes within seconds. As she opened her mouth to commend the effort that must have gone into this latest proof, Dr. Kane’s hands slipped around her waist, pulling her toward him possessively, and her thoughts were instantly scattered.
“It’s about time you arrived,” he said, breathing huskily into her ear as he kissed the side of her neck. “You should have stayed over last night. I missed you.”
Davey shook her head. “You know I can’t leave Hogan alone overnight.”
“I know,” he conceded and kissed her again. “But moving in with me would fix that little inconvenience.”
Bristling, she pulled away from him. “Hogan is not an inconvenience.”
“Don’t be cross, Davey.” Dark brown and thoughtful eyes studied her from behind a pair of black-rimmed glasses while his lips formed an adorable but exaggerated pout. When he pulled her close again, she let him. “You know I meant no harm. Hogan is an awesome kid, and I want both of you to—”
Davey brought her mouth to his, pouring as much heat into the kiss as she could muster. “Let’s talk about it later, Travis.”
“You said that last night…and two days ago.”
“Yes. Because I’m still thinking about it.”
“No. You’re stalling.”
Davey sighed. Travis was an intelligent man. He was also a stubborn one. “I haven’t said no.”
“And you haven’t said yes.”
Even though Davey felt like a complete asshole, she could offer nothing more than a shrug.
Travis switched tactics. “We’ve been seeing each other for nearly a year, Davey, and I love you. I love your brilliant mind. I love your pink-streaked hair. I love the sexy way you walk. I even love your go-fuck-yourself-attitude. Move in with me.”
Leaning closer, he sealed his request with another kiss, pushing his tongue between her lips to circle inside her mouth and lightly bite her lip before breaking away. Slightly breathless, Davey tried to hold her ground despite the growing ache his body created in hers.
No one looked at Travis Kane and thought geeky scientist. Though by no means a gym rat, he was an active guy and his lifestyle kept him in impressive shape. Surfing, running, and cycling had chiseled his physique into a sight that made most girls look twice.
“You know about my past, Travis. It’s hard for me to—”
This time it was he who kissed Davey in order to stop what she would say next. Gradually, his hands roamed down her waist and hips before settling on her ass. Giving it a firm squeeze, he rocked into her, grinding his groin against her.
Oh.
Travis’ brilliant mind wasn’t his only impressive organ, and Davey considered office sex to be an acceptable alternative to having the awkward, potentially relationship-ending conversation she would ultimately be unable to avoid. So, she didn’t resist when Travis led her to the small office tucked in the corner of the lab, locked the door behind them, and closed the privacy blinds of the only window. She watched him undress, admiring his body as much as she admired his intellect. When he pulled off his shirt and tossed it onto the desk, she licked her tongue across his abs, loving how he shivered at her touch. He unfastened his zipper, and she kneeled in front of him, taking a moment to palm the ample bulge that strained against the fabric of his trousers. Tugging his pants and boxers from his narrow hips, she freed him, encouraging a sigh from his lips as she took him into her mouth.
When Travis dropped his head back and groaned with gratitude, Davey watched, taking pride in his pleasure. It was a wonder that she could appeal to the carnal desires of someone normally so reserved, mature, and esteemed. There were a dozen women in this building alone who would have lunged at the chance to be so intimate with Dr. Travis Kane. And yet here was Davey. His girlfriend of almost a year. The person with whom he wanted to live. Davey Little had somehow become the exclusive object of Travis Kane’s affections—aside from his work, that is.
Encouraged as his breathing became more ragged, Davey suppressed her gag reflex and swallowed him completely. Travis hissed, groaning as his cock twitched against the back of her throat. Spitting him out, she repeated the maneuver, taking in every inch until her lips were nearly pressed against the base of his shaft. Grabbing the back of her head, Travis held her in place as he thrust his hips forward, groaned loudly, and shuddered. He surged forward again, this time pushing his cock deep enough to make her gag. As he finished, his release spilled hotly down her throat.
Letting go of her, Travis pulled out and Davey could breathe again. She welcomed fresh air into her lungs while Travis grinned down at her gratefully. “That was awesome,” he said.
Pulling Davey to her feet, kissed her forehead. “Tonight, it’s your turn.” Winking in promise, he gave her ass another light squeeze. “Go get cleaned up while I get less naked.”
Nodding, Davey managed a small smile and straightened her clothes as she headed to the tiny bathroom that was situated inside the office. There, she stood over the sink and rinsed out her mouth. Facing the mirror, she contemplated the girl who stared back and worried that someday Travis might see her too. What would happen if he ever glimpsed the guilty, stricken feeling that sometimes wrenched through her gut after being intimate with him? Right now, it was plainly written on her face. But most of all, Davey wondered if things would ever change. She was light-years away from being the drug-dealing, rebellious teenager she’d once been. She had become a responsible adult and had a great career working for a multi-billion-dollar company. Once Davey completed her research project, she would have her Ph.D. The state had entrusted her little brother to her care, and over the months, Davey had proven herself capable of taking care of another human being. Now she had permanent custody of Hogan, a boyfriend who was a brilliant scientist and who loved her very much. If she played her cards right, the guy might even marry her. By all definitions, Daveigh Little was a success.
But on the inside, Davey remained broken.
Though it’d been five years since the huge fight when he’d stormed out of their two-bedroom apartment and never returned, Davey’s scarred heart still very much belonged to the ghost of Ethan Remington.