Twenty

Charli

 

When I enter the apartment after Aiden drops me off, I find Keagan lounging on the sofa. He looks up as I close the door, and he sets down his tablet as he straightens. Is this going to be a nightly thing? Kade bringing you home? he signs.

I press my lips tightly together and shake my head, trying not to cry. It’s ridiculous. I haven’t known Devlin all that long, and to be honest, I don’t know all that much about him other than what he’d told me about his childhood.

Keagan quickly stands, looking alarmed. You’re not going to cry, are you?

I shake my head firmly even as my eyes sting.

He quickly draws me to him, holding me tightly. It feels good to be held, and I press my cheek to his chest, breathing in his cologne. It’s very faint and not as distinct as Devlin’s. It’s earthier, and the scent is comforting.

He appears to be in no hurry to release me, so I stay there, enjoying the hug. I’d needed a hardened exterior to get through my childhood, so I’ve never been an emotional person. Somehow, Devlin brings out this softer side of me.

Keagan eventually pulls away and peers down at me. What happened? he signs.

I walk to the sofa and take seat. Keagan sits down beside me, his eyes expectant. After tucking my hair behind my ears, I sign, I’m fine.

He pointedly lifts his eyebrows. Liar, he gestures.

We ended things. We’ll try to remain friends, but for now I told him I need space, I sign.

His eyes search mine. You really like him, don’t you?

I grimace. It’s the strangest thing. I didn’t like him in the beginning, but I’m beginning to understand him better. There’s something there that makes me want to be with him, but I don’t think it’s wise to continue pursuing it.

Keagan turns serious. How did you two really meet?

How we met doesn’t matter.

He’s quiet for moment, and then he looks as if he’s come to some sort of decision. I think you need to enforce that space you told him you want.

Judging by his expression, there’s a reason he’s warning me to stay away from Devlin. What’s going on?

The two guys that attacked Lance and me, they’re missing, he signs.

I blink and frown. “Missing?” I ask out loud.

He nods, his eyes grim. They had distinct features, and the one had a tattoo at the base of his throat. I gave the police their descriptions, but I also gave them to Mr. Kade when he called and inquired about the police report and all the information I’d given. I didn’t think that he’d go after them himself, but I should have known, he signs, guilt flashing in his eyes.

No, Devlin wouldn’t track them down and hurt them, would he? Granted, what they’d done was horrible, but the police are fully capable of handling the situation. Are you certain they’re missing? I sign.

Keagan gives me a look. Their families reported them missing. Earlier today, I had to go through an interview over my whereabouts since Saturday night.

My eyes widen. Oh shit.

Exactly. What are the odds that right after Lance and I file a police report, the two men in question go missing?

A bad feeling sweeps over me, because I know exactly what Devlin is capable of. I sign, They had families?

Keagan shakes his head. Too young to be married or have kids, but those that know them reported them missing.

I look down at my hands, my heart sinking. There is no doubt in my mind that Devlin’s behind this, especially after asking Keagan about the police report. I look at him sharply and sign, Did you tell them he was asking questions about them?

Keagan looks at me pointedly. I’m not stupid. If Mr. Kade is exactly what my suspicions are telling me, I value my life way too much to utter his name to the cops.

Thank God, I think as I blow out a breath. I couldn’t handle it if something happened to Keagan. My lips press together tightly as I process the latest information that has been given to me.

Odds are, the men are dead. This just proves that I need to distance myself from Devlin, and at the same time, it frustrates me. There’s a part of me that is desperate to rationalize why he does what he does in a way that doesn’t confirm him to be the bad man that he appears to be. I see something good in him. He hides it well, but it’s still there, waiting for someone to find it.

Keagan touches my knee, and I look up. He signs, You need to stay away from him.

I agree, but I also know he would never hurt me.

A hint of alarm spikes in his gaze. You don’t belong with someone like him. I can’t deny he’s been good to you, but his life will ruin you.

This is a pointless conversation. I just told you we ended things, I remind.

He slowly nods.

You should quit. Stay as my roommate, not as my hired companion, I urge. Then I recall that he’d been living with Lance before this, and of course he’s going to want to go back to Lance. Never mind about the roommate thing. I’ll be fine. But we’ll still remain friends, I sign.

He’s already shaking his head. Absolutely not. What if he hires someone else? Charli, let’s just keep things as they are for now. Nothing has to be decided tonight.

He has a point, and I decide to let the conversation rest.

Keagan must be thinking along the same lines because he signs, Have you eaten?

I shake my head.

Let’s go make something.