“What information are you looking for exactly?”
He starts stripping off his tactical gear and weapons. He pulls the twin Glocks from the chest holsters and sets them on the counter. “Why she wants you, and who she works for.”
I nod in understanding. I read more letters last night, and I know why Lilith wants me, but I don’t have the heart to tell Ryder… Yet. With everything going on, I just don’t feel now is the right time to tell him what I’ve learned. My dad told me everything in the letters, though I feel like pieces are missing. I just can’t figure it out.
I understand why my parents kept everything so hidden from me, but at the same time, I wish I had known sooner, so I could’ve prepared for this life.
“What’s wrong?”
I look up to find Ryder eying me with concern. Apparently, I had drifted off into my thoughts again. “Huh? Nothing,” I run my hands through my hair, pushing it out of my face. “Just tired is all.”
“Did you not sleep?”
“Yes,”No. “Well, a little.”
He kisses my cheek, “Then we’ll go to bed after my shower.”
“Uhh, about that.” I grimace, “Jess couldn’t sleep either, and she’s currently asleep in our bed.”
He nods his head slowly in understanding, “Nap and movie in the theatre room, it is then.”
My phone rings from the white marble coffee table, waking me up. I squint at the blinding light from my screen, trying to read the caller ID. It’s the realtor.
“Hello?” My voice is scratchy from the nap, so I clear it and try again, “Sorry, hello?”
She chuckles through the phone, “Is now a bad time?”
“No, no. I need to be getting up anyway. Something wrong?”
“Quite the opposite. I was calling to inform you that there’s an offer on your parents’ house.”
My eyes widen as she continues to speak. The house has been listed for weeks now, and I haven’t had a single offer. So, when she says they offered two grand over the listing price… “I accept!” I all but squeal.
Ryder yawns beside me and stretches his hand out to rub my back, “Who was that?” He asks sleepily.
I sit on the edge of the couch, staring off in shock, “The house sold.” A heaviness fills my chest. I’m sad about letting go of my childhood home with all the memories, but I need to push forward. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s what Dad told me to do in the letters. He knew this day was coming from the start, which is insane. I wish he had told me before it was too late. Maybe this all could have been prevented.
Ryder swings his legs over the side of the couch and pushes himself up to sit. “That’s great! Did you get what you asked?”
“More,” Is all I’m capable of saying.
“I-I think I’m going to go check on Jessie and light a celebratory joint. Wanna join?”
“Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be out,” He says, then leans in and presses his juicy lips to mine.
I knock on the bedroom door, not sure why. It’s my room, she doesn’t answer anyway, so I turn the knob, stepping inside quietly. Jessie is wound up tightly in the covers. She’s always slept like a raging alligator, that’s why I could never share the same bed as her.
“Jess,” I say gently, while rocking her by the shoulder.
She grumbles and rolls onto her stomach, turning her head away from me. “Jess, you gotta wake up.”
“I don’t wanna,” She growls.
I sigh, “I rolled a fat one.” Her head pops up, and pieces of her thick black hair cling to her cheek. I giggle, “I knew that would work.”
“How long was I out for?” She asks, closing one eye to look up at me.
I shrug, “Dunno, Ryder and I fell asleep on the couch.”
