"Yes, they're all dead, and you could have stopped it if you hadn't been a spoiled child."
"You killed my daddy!"
"You let my mommy die!"
"You're mine, forever. I'll kill all that stand in my way."
I come awake with a start. Shit, more nightmares. It's been months since I had these nightmares. Why? I roll over, my room is dark, and I look at the clock. 3:00 a.m. Well crap, no sleep for me now. I'm getting ready to have my off week, one more day then I'll take a sleeping pill to sleep tomorrow.
I get up, head for the living room where my treadmill is, and run like the devil is chasing me. I have my headphones in withSkillet’s “Monster” playing loudly. I know Derek is in the spare room sleeping.
I've tried therapy and everything else. Until I learn to relax at night without the dread or nightmares, this is my life. I was able to fall asleep with Duncan every time we've been together, before that, only his sister could get me to relax enough to sleep. When Carl and I dated in college, I couldn't sleep with him either. He thought I was crazy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
MAYA
I'm showered, caffeinated, and ready for my shift today. As I head across the parking garage to the SUV, I hear my name yelled. This is a secure garage and after the flower delivery, I'm on edge.
"Can I help you?" I turn to see a man about six one with shaggy brown hair standing by my truck. Okay, jackass, get away from my baby.
"Maya, you don't recognize me?" That voice sounds familiar and he looks familiar, but I feel like I need to be careful. Something about this man makes me feel uneasy. He walks out of the shadows toward me and in the months since he lost his job, I see he’s let himself go. His hair is longer and he is sporting a shaggy beard. He’s thinner and his clothes hang on him.
"Carl. What are you doing here?" I step back from him in unease. Great, I thought of him earlier and now he's here.He walks closer and acts like he's going to kiss me. I step back and put out my hand to shake. I don't want to touch him but know he will push the issue if I don't.
Something feels really off right now.
"Maya, it's been months. Now that we don't work together, want to have dinner sometime?" He tries to pull me in, but I yank my hand from his. Since he quit after the suspension, he has told anyone that will listen that I stole his job. I don't trust him.
"Sorry, Carl, I have a boyfriend. How did you get in here?" I decide Duncan is right, he's my boyfriend, and that should get rid of Carl.
"Oh, your doorman let me in. I told him we were old friends. You've got a boyfriend? The doorman said that was your partner, Derek."
"Excuse me. Are you checking up on me?"
"Well, I was checking to see if there was any competition. Can't blame a guy. Girl, you look smoking hot. Come to dinner with me."
"No, I'm seeing someone. I need to go. Bye." I turn to leave, but he grabs my arm. "Carl, you're going to want to let me go, remember I can hurt you," I say as I prepare myself to attack him.
"I seem to remember it was my hands on your throat, girly. However, you'll come around. I'll see you soon." He lets go as he turns to leave.
"What happened to you telling everyone I stole your job?" I demand.
"I forgive you, it wasn't your fault." He continues to walk away.
I feel like taking another shower. The garage that I've always felt secure in now feels like a black hole. I'm going to have to talk to the doorman.
Duncan
"Duncan,tell me why someone is searching your whereabouts?" Joshua's voice comes across my cell and I can tell he's upset.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Is your girlfriend checking up on you after yesterday?"
"No. What did they search?"
"Someone tried to find your London address and then did a search to see if you were still on the other job."
