Markus supplied all the security and surveillance equipment he thought we would need and talked me through the security system that’s set up in the house.I recall the last conversation I had with him about not hesitating, being prepared, and wanting hourly updates.
Willa and Hayami appear on the monitor.They’re in the main bedroom, which will be Hayami’s.It’s large with a king-sized bed in the centre of the room and a small sofa sitting in the far corner.French windows lead onto a balcony, which I don’t like, for two reasons.The first is personal—my own dislike of balconies—and the second, and more relevant, is that they pose a security risk.They make an easy entry point for anyone wanting to gain access to the room.The balcony is situated at the back of the house overlooking the courtyard and garden, but we can’t change rooms, as this is the only one with surveillance.
The camera is in the top right-hand corner, suspended from the ceiling, giving me the full view of her large bed, the French windows along the back wall, and the entrance to her en suite, which is over on the left.The only thing I can’t see is a small section directly under the camera and the doorway leading into the room.But I’m relieved I have a visual of the windows.
“You still see us?”Willa asks into her cuff as Hayami drops the last of her bags on the floor and wanders over to the en suite.
“Yes,” I answer.
“She seems to be taking this all in her stride,” Willa says quietly as Hayami disappears into the en suite.
“She’ll still be groggy after the sedative.I’m sure we’ll get her proper reaction in the morning.”
“By which point I’ll be on duty, and you’ll be catching up on your beauty sleep.”
“I don’t need much of that,” I joke drily before adding, “Wake me if you need me.No matter what time it is or whatever the situation.You wake me.”
“I’m not stupid.”Willa lowers her arm as Hayami reappears.They say something to each other, and Willa points at the camera.
They both look up as if staring at me.
Willa waves, and Hayami sticks her middle finger up before they leave the room.
We meet back in the living room.
“Okay, guys, it’s just after three in the morning, so I suggest Hayami and I go get some sleep if you’re okay with staying on watch?”Willa asks me.
“Yes.”
“You sure you can stay awake?”
“It won’t be a problem,” I reply.Willa doesn’t need to know about my insomnia.That I haven’t slept properly in the past fourteen years, and even when I do, my dreams are laden with flames and fire, the heat warping my skin, the screams piercing any chance of slumber.
“Okay, grab yourself a coffee, and I’ll take over at about nine.That should give me a good five hours of sleep.”
“Hey, you better get used to it,” Hayami tells Willa.“Hell, you’ll be lucky to get two hours when the baby arrives.”
“Don’t remind me.”Willa laughs as she and Hayami leave the room.
I follow, but instead of making my way up the stairs, I shut myself away in my security room.
As soon as the door closes, the weight of the night hits me—the adrenaline that kicked in the minute we arrived in that fucking club is finally burning out.But the image is seared in my brain: Hayami, the strap of her dress off her shoulder, and that fucker’s mouth clamped on her tit.I want to punch something just thinking about it.Try as I might, I can’t get it out of my mind.
What the hell was she thinking?Why tell him to follow her?Why is she hellbent on letting any guy touch her?Because he’s not the first.Over the past few weeks, she’s all but thrown herself at any man with a pulse.If it hadn’t been for me, she’d have been defiled by so many scumbags who aren’t worthy of her time, let alone the privilege of touching her.
As much as I’m annoyed at our current predicament, it’s a relief not to have to stop her from making a huge mistake with some filthy man who wants nothing more than to use her for his own gain.
But another thought plagues me.Hayami and I have never truly been alone.We’ve always been shopping or at a club.The only real moment we had was at the fair, when she ran into the woods.We were alone for what?Five minutes?In those five minutes, I felt like she was going to open up to me; I felt likeIcould have opened up toher.But then Bastian came bounding through the trees, and the moment was gone.
And now?There are only three of us in Belial House.What’ll happen when Willa is asleep and Hayami and I are the only ones awake?
Settling into the leather chair, I stare at the monitor that shows the inside of Hayami’s bedroom.
I guess I’m about to find out.
FIFTEEN
HAYAMI
