“I want it too,” I tell him honestly. “But Zane deserves me knowing for sure.”
“Baby,” Leo says, waiting for me to lift my head, “You already know. I saw the way your face lit up when he walked in. You’re holding yourself back with misplaced guilt.”
“I know,” I admit. Every time I feel myself giving in to Zane, I feel guilty. It’s getting old, even to me. “I told him I was the Black Demon. He already knew,” I laugh.
“How?”
“He was around during the investigation. When Jay gave him the picture, he put two and two together.”
“Huh,” Leo comments. “Maybe he doesn’t suck after all.”
I shake my head with a laugh. Somehow, I’m going to make this work. First, we need to get rid of Jay.
And Viktor.
“Les,”Gage whispers. I swat him away, making him chuckle. “Get up.”
I crack my eye open; it’s still dark outside. “Why?”
“I have something for you downstairs.”
“Unless it comes in the form of Dean Winchester, go away,” I reply, snuggling back into my bed. My eyes snap back open. “How did I get to bed?” The last thing I remember is watching TV downstairs with Leo, Gage, Zane, and Dex after dinner. Ryder sat through dinner with Zane, which Zane cooked, but disappeared soon after. He promised he was trying before he left the living room. I have to take his word on that and not push him.
“Zane carried you upstairs. Now get up,” Gage says, kissing my cheek.
“No. You lay down.”
“Pretty girl,” Gage groans. “Please get up. I have a surprise for you.”
Sighing, I finally sit up in bed. “Fine. I’m up.”
Gage jumps to his feet. “Good. Get dressed.”
I frown. “What the hell, Gage?”
“Please,” he begs. “For me.”
I look over at where he’s pointing. My favorite pair of black ripped skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, and my black high-heeled boots are sitting there. “I can’t.” I know it’s stupid, but those boots represent a stronger me; I’m not there yet.
“Just trust me. Put them on and come downstairs.” Gage kisses my lips, then backs out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
I get up, walk to the clothes, and stare at them. I put everything else on and then rub my hand across my boots, calling on that inner part of me that used to fuck shit up while I was wearing them.
You’re a badass bitch. You’ve got this.
Gage told me to trust him, so I slide my feet into them, zippingthem up. They feel foreign on my feet, so I take a few steps to get my balance.
I pull every bit of courage I can find, walking downstairs. Gage is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.
“There’s my pretty girl.” He grins when he sees the boots. “Come on,” he says, practically dragging me through the kitchen.
“What’s going on?” I ask with a laugh, trying to keep up with his excited steps.
“You’ll see.”
I get even more curious when he opens the door to the wine cellar, taking me down to my secret chamber.
Flashes of being at that other house hit me like a ton of bricks, causing me to dig my heels in. Gage turns around to face me. “I can’t,” I whisper, the panic already setting in. All I can see and smell is that nasty basement he left us locked in.
