“Very well,” My father groans as the few long moments of tension settles between them.
After spending time catching up, we say our goodbyes and head back to home. As we drive towards our destination, my mind wanders to various thoughts. The future and what that looks like.
“Am I expected to sell the house?” I ask hesitantly.
“No. Not, unless you want to.” He says without looking at me.
“I do love it. It holds so many memories already. I just don’t want you to be compelled to- wait. I just realized, I don’t even know if you have a home of your own. Oh my gods, should we even be getting married when I know so little about you!” His laugh startles me out of my panic.
“Everly, breathe woman. Firstly, I want to be where you are. May that be a cardboard box or a cabin in the woods. Secondly, yes I have a home of my own. I haven't been there in months. I was planning on selling it anyway. Finally, ask me anything you feel the need to know.” He continues to look at the road while his hand leaves the steering wheel to rest on my thigh. I release a held breath allowing for my anxiety to go with it.
Our drive home continues in silence. Lights flash overhead randomly illuminating our car before it transcends back into darkness. I allow my mind to wander towards the future. This time should be filled with excitement and wedding planning yet, I find myself trapped in a cycle of thoughts about how to deal with Ghost’s father. You can’t just kill the Don of a mafia. There has to be concrete evidence in the matter to fit a punishment such as death. We have to prove further that he had intended to kill me after I went under Ghost’s protection and kill Ghost himself in an act of treason. Dominic won't just come out and admit it. We need to find an in which allows us to catch him slipping up. Slowly, home comes into sight. At the moment of my return, Ghost and I were so caught up within each other that we hadn’t spent more than a few hours together before we were running off to the island. The car comes to a stop and we climb out, collecting our luggage before heading inside. The first thing I notice is how clean the house is, acknowledging that Ghost must have had cleaners come in to prepare the house for us. The second is the approaching growls. Instantly, Token and Hella come into view. I offer a whistle and they approach quickly. Stooping down, I pet their heads taking extra time to say hello. They act frantic while bouncing around. It reminds me of when they were puppies. So much has changed. So much has been tainted in horror.
I set my bags down by the steps and head towards the living room. Walking steadily to the large sectional sofa, I plop down waiting for Ghost to join. Seconds pass before his presence dances on the back of my neck. Sitting beside me, he collects the remote and puts on some random movie. This is the contentment I seek for the rest of my days. Something so simple as to share in a quiet moment with your soulmate is idyllic. No need for conversation or requirement to impose on others thoughts. To just enjoy the essence that is their existence. He pulls my legs over his lap and drags one foot up into his hands. Tentatively, he massages it. Working out the labored muscles one by one. I hum in both appreciation and approval. His hands stop without warning. Looking up, I find his heated eyes rake their way over my face. He smirks before starting to massage my foot again. Unable to stop myself, I hum a second time. This time his hands don't stop. They slide up my ankle and onto my calf. He makes the same motions, gaining a more playful noise from me. His hands move again, working over my leg until they are on my thigh. The sound that leaves my throat is more primal than it is relaxed. I involuntarily move my hips in a silent plea for closeness. He obliges by skating his fingers up my leg until it meets the apex of my thighs. He adjusts his body until it's hovering over mine. Leaning down, our lips meet in a hungry fight of domination. His hand moves up until it finds the waistband of my pants. Digging beneath, his fingers find my clit instantly. Drawing slow circles, I moan out in relief. My hands grip his hair at the roots and tug, earning a rough growl from my fiancé. I let go, sliding my hands up beneath his shirt. Dancing over the peaks and dips of his abs, my fingertips take their time. Collecting the fabric, I pull it over his head leaving him bare from the waist up. I take the break from kissing and fondling to look over his body. Sometimes it feels surreal that I could land someone so perfectly built. Notjust through physical physique, but on an atomic level. The invisible force of space between his protons and electrons is somehow made of mine. Drawing us to each other in a way that science has yet to uncover. Needing to study just how close we can get, I shoot up and draw him back down. His hands begin pulling up my shirt just as a voice rings out feet away.
“Really? Right in front of my enchiladas?” I hear. I peek over the back of the sofa to find Ryon standing in the massive doorway holding a large plate with a disgusted look on his face. Chuckling, Ghost stands up shamelessly sporting a very obvious erection. How this man has the audacity, I haven’t a clue. Groaning at Ryon's cock blocking, I sit up.
“Sorry for offending your enchiladas?” Ghost speaks before I can, framing his words as more of a question than a statement. I almost laugh at the comedy of this situation.
“As you should be. Anywhore…here I am, enjoying my perfectly delicious plate of Mexican food, when I am startled by a noise. What was that noise, you ask? Oh, it was loud moans. Now, I'm thinking; Shit! I left my porn on! But no, it's just the god awful mating noises of you two!” I can’t help but hysterically cackle at his rendition of the chain of events that has occurred.
“Who casually watches porn while eating food?” I question. A reasonable reaction to the glaring stupidity that is Ryon.
“Notwhile, Everly. Before. I like to work up an appetite if you must know.” Ryon's defensive tone isn’t lost on me.
“I can understand that.” Ghost says from behind me just as he puts his shirt back on.
“Do not encourage him.” I mutter while groaning.
”You’re the one that asked about eating food while watching porn. We don't kink shame in this house, baby doll.” Ghost chastises before leaning down to place a kiss on my lips.
“I- What the fuck happened to all the normalness in this house? I didn’t know my death would cause you all to become feral. I mean, Ryon is a lost cause but you?” I ask facing Ghost.
“I guess they are just rubbing off on me. Oh wait, I’m not Lucas.” Ghost casts a pointed look to Ryon.
“You know?” Ryon asks with a tense look on his face.
“We have known for a while.” I tell him.
“Well, shit. I guess that’s one less thing I needed to tell you.” Ryon blows out a breath.
“What else did you need to say?” Ghost asks.
“Ah! Yes. We have a lead. There is a business partner of your father’s. This guy is known to be wrapped up in some shady shit. If you can find an in and get him to give up your father’s involvement, this might be all we need to execute our plan. Or rather, execute your father.” Ryon says between mouthfuls of food.
“What involvement could this man have with my father?” Ghost moved towards him, almost impatient for the answer.
“The sale of plane parts and a supplier of pilots.” Ryon states with a smirk.
“Where can we find him?” I ask, now standing too.
“La Rose.” Ryon informs.
“That strip club up on Third Street?” I question.
“They say gentlemen’s club, I say brothel.” Ryon gives me a look that asksAre you picking up what I’m putting down?I nod in understanding.
“Then we will need to change and pay a visit to Dad’s dear friend.” Ghost tells me before offering his hand. Leading the way, we head upstairs and dress for an evening only hindsight could know the outcome of.
