chapter 12
Trinity looked around Malachi’s back yard. The animation in his voice, whenever he talked about where he lived, showed her he really liked his house; now she knew why. It was beautiful here. His fenced in back yard was big and open. The patio had nice comfortable furniture, she thought as she snuggled deeper into her chair.
They were all sitting around the table outside and were talking and laughing at old stories.
“Oh, did she tell you about the time she kicked a boy in High School? She was on the debate team and he was her opponent.” Renée asked, smiling at Malachi.
Man, she must like Malachi to already to be spilling those stories.
Trinity put her head in her hands and groaned. “You had to bring that one up?” No one paid her any attention.
Nicole sat up in her seat. “I remember that!” She started laughing as she finished. “It was during his cross-examination. She got frustrated when he started asking her questions so fast that she couldn’t answer them.”
“Well how was I supposed to answer when he wouldn’t shut his big mouth?” Trinity defended herself. “So I kicked him…and might have called him a geek. It’s all a little fuzzy.” She waved her hand in indifference.
Malachi was laughing and leaned over to squeeze her leg. “Well played, babe. Well played.”
“Anyway, she ended up losing the round and even got sent home from the tournament. They called the house and I had to drive and get her. I don’t believe there was any more debate either.” Renée finished up the story with a smile.
Everyone was laughing, Stewart and Mark were playing in the yard, and it felt great to have all the people she cared about in one place. The only thing that was off was Malachi. He kept looking back and forth between the gate and the back door. None of his friends had shown and she knew that he was waiting for them.
“What about the time she argued with the zookeeper about the cons of captivity?” Nicci jumped in with another fun story.
Trinity stood up. “On that note…I’m gonna get something more to drink.” She picked up her empty can. “Does anyone else need anything?”
“Here, let me get it.” Malachi tried to stand up.
Trinity put her hand on his shoulder to stop him. “And miss them telling about my lecture on animal depression and lower life expectancy? Not a chance.” She smiled and winked down at him. “Really, I got it, but thanks anyway.”
She made her way inside and went to the fridge, admiring the house as she went. The atmosphere was co calming that she couldn’t help but feel at ease.
When she got to the fridge, she bent over to look for a cold diet soda. That was when she heard someone let out a slow whistle, and she couldn’t help but smile. Malachi always had a way of making her feel sexy.
She stood up, shut the fridge and spun around only to bump into a large broad chest. Only it wasn’t Malachi’s chest.
“Wow, now I know why you were standing in front of the fridge…you are smokin’ hot.” His voice was calm and smooth.
He was so close that Trinity had to crane her neck backwards just to see his face. She could admit that he was handsome, but in a different way from Malachi. Where Malachi was hard, this guy let off a calmer vibe. Malachi was the dark mysterious type, and this guy looked like he belonged on a beach, holding a surf board.
One thing was for sure though. He had an ego to match his build and he was standing way too close. Trinity tried to maneuver around him, but he just moved with her.
“Hi. I’m Trinity. Are you a friend of Malachi’s?” She pasted on a smile. The last thing she wanted to do was offend one of Malachi’s friends, but if he wasn’t going to back up, she had a straight shot to his groin.
“Maybe I am.” He put a hand above her head on the fridge and loomed over her.
“I better get out back. I’ve already been gone longer than expected.” Trinity tried for a graceful way out of this situation.
He then leaned in closer. “They’re fine. What’s the rush?”
Obviously he wasn’t getting the hint; time to be blunt. “Listen, I don’t know what Malachi has told you, but we’re sort of an item. Off limits, buddy.”
He then took his finger and ran it down her face. “Come on, Cuteness. You gotta admit that there’s a spark between us. Why don’t we go someplace more private and get to know each other better, maybe a spare room?”
Trinity was appalled that he would even think about that, and in his friends own house. His smile was perfectly placed and his words were silky smooth. None of that mattered to her; she had finally had enough.
She grabbed the finger that had moved to her shoulder and twisted it backward. After his yelp of pain, she went off on him. “You are a twisted son of a bitch! I just told you that I am with your friend and you still try to get in my pants? Back up before I do something worse, this time involving your male nether region.”
He stepped back and Trinity walked toward the back door. She stopped in her tracks when he started to laugh. When he started clapping, the sound made her turn around.
“Damn, you have spunk. I was worried that you were all wrong for him when I thought you were this meek little thing. I was wrong.” He looked her up and down. “I do believe I like you.”
“Save it. What the hell are you talking about?” Trinity was so confused by his turn around. “Did you forget to take your medication today?"
“Ouch. Okay, I deserved that.” He then held out his hand. “Name’s Gemariah. Sorry for the first impression and all, but I wanted to be sure that Malachi wasn’t wasting his time.”
Trinity walked forward and placed her hand in his for a handshake. “You could have always tried sitting down and talking to me, like the people outside are doing with Malachi.”
Gemariah just shrugged. “This way’s faster…and more efficient. Now I know you can’t be influenced by anyone with a handsome face.”
Trinity smirked and rolled her eyes. “You really are full of yourself aren’t you?”
He then flashed that perfectly practiced smile. “Wouldn’t you be too if you looked like me?”
She couldn’t contain the small burst of laughter that came out. He really was something.
Gemariah gestured toward the counter. “Come; help me set out the food.”
“Trinity, will you please help me set out the food?” She mockingly turned his order into a question but still walked toward the counter. More for the fact that she wanted to find out what was letting off that divine smell. When she started peeling the plastic bags away, she found a fruit tray, a veggie tray, a bean casserole, onions, peppers, and… “Is that what I think it is?” She had to stop herself from drooling.
“You like?” He was already chopping a yellow pepper and she noticed the smirk on his face.
Trinity was still staring at the dish. “Is it wrong to be in love with a food?”
He just laughed. “I hope not. If I believed in love, there would be a couple dishes that would rank that high.”
Just then she heard the back door slide open. “Trinity, you alright? Did you find what…” Malachi’s words were halted when he saw them in the kitchen together.
“G, I didn’t know you were here yet.” Malachi sounded strange, as if wary of his friend being alone with her.
“Someone had to bring the food over. Speaking of…” Gemariah gestured with his chopping knife. “The steaks are over there and ready for you.”
Malachi grabbed some spices from the cabinet and then walked over to where the meat was. “So you two have met?”
Trinity still had her hands wrapped around the bowl she was holding. In a serious tone, she spoke to Malachi. “Yes we did, and Malachi…I think you might have some competition.”
Both men stopped what they were doing and spoke in unison. “What?”
She tried to keep a straight face but half her mouth lifted into a smirk. “Well Malachi…he brought me au gratin potatoes.”
Malachi got the predatory look on his face that made her insides quiver. He slowly walked toward her and she felt as if she were prey being stalked. When he was directly in front of her he finally spoke. “It was me that told him to make it.” His voice got even lower. “Don’t you remember when you told me it was your favorite?”
Their old dreams flashed into her head and she felt her face flare up. Obviously he saw because he flashed a devilish smile. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her flush against him. “I could always jog your memory.” To emphasize his point, he leaned down and ran his tongue across her neck and up to her ear, successfully making her shiver.
Taking a deep breath, she looked directly into his eyes and whispered the one word that would change everything. “Okay.”
She felt Malachi’s entire body stiffen. His care free expression disappeared to one of absolute seriousness. “Did you just say what I think you said?”
She didn’t remember the last time she was this nervous. The last thing she wanted was for him to turn her down…again. Trinity bit the corner of her lip and gave a small nod.
He immediately straightened and looked down at the steaks and then at his watch. His gaze then went in the direction of his hallway. From the tour he gave earlier, she knew that the hallway led to the bedrooms. Finally understanding what he was thinking, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Placing her hands lightly on his biceps, she clarified. “Not right this minute.”
He relaxed and leaned down to gently kiss her. When he pulled back, he smiled and whispered, “Stay with me tonight?”
The butterflies were already there. It was a combination of nerves, but excitement at the same time. “Alright.”
He then kissed her again. They both kept it short and sweet, remembering that they were not alone in the room. Trinity stepped back. “Well, I’ll leave you two to do your thing.”
She reached over and grabbed her can of soda before pulling on Malachi’s arm to make him lean down. After giving him a quick peck on the cheek, she turned to go back outside.
“Wait a minute, Cuteness. What about me over here?” Gemariah’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
Recognizing his nickname for her as the same one from earlier, she decided to throw it back at him. “Sorry, I’m not into the whole pretty boy thing, but you can always test that charm of yours on my friend outside.”
With that last parting shot, she walked outside. Before the door shut, she heard Gemariah’s roar. “Pretty Boy?”
Once the door shut, the sound was muffled, but she could swear she heard Malachi laughing.
When she reached the patio, she noticed that more people had shown up when she was in the house. There were two women standing near the table talking with Renée and a man was leaning against the house smoking a cigarette.
Glancing at the women, she realized that she recognized one of them. It was Terah, the one that had found her and the girls in the river. When she started making her way over to her, Terah looked up. Her gaze felt more quizzical than friendly. Finally getting in front of her, Trinity held out her hand. “Hi Terah. Do you remember me?”
“Of course. How are you doing?” Terah took her hand for the handshake and held onto it long enough for Trinity to feel a little uncomfortable.
“Really well. I never got a chance to thank you for everything that day.” Trinity said gratefully.
Terah waved it off. “Don’t sweat it. It’s all part of the job.”
“So I take it you guys are more than just bodyguards at this protection agency?” Trinity asked, but she knew there was so much more to Malachi’s job that she didn’t know.
Before Terah could answer her, a sharp pain slashed through her thumb. “Ouch!” She quickly looked at her hand, but saw nothing that would make it hurt. Trinity gripped her thumb in her hand, hoping the pressure would alleviate the pain. It came on suddenly, but was also fading rather quickly as well.
Terah grabbed her hand and started flipping it every which way. “What? What happened?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t see anything.” Trinity just shrugged. “It was probably a bee sting or a bug bite. No big thing.”
Terah let go of her hand, but didn’t say anything else. All she did was stare at her rather quizzically. When she cocked her head to the side, Trinity believed she now knew what a science project felt like. She was about to excuse herself when a hand moved around Terah’s shoulders.
“Don’t mind her. She spaces every once in a while.” It was the other woman that she didn’t know. She then took her hand and snapped right in front or Terah’s face. “Earth to Terah. Wake up!”
Terah’s face broke out into a smile and she elbowed the other woman’s stomach. “Ha Ha. I was just thinking.” She then looked to Trinity. “Sorry. I was just trying to figure something out.”
Smiling, Trinity shook her head. “It’s alright.” She then turned to the other woman and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Trinity. Do you also work with Malachi?”
“Yeah, we all do.” She made a circular motion with her hand indicating everyone that came, then shook Trinity’s offered hand. “Name’s Tori.”
“Technically it’s Victoria.” Terah put up both hands, palms out in defense. She took a step away from Tori, but smiled at the death look she was receiving. “But no one is allowed to call her that.”
They both started teasing each other back and forth. It was then that she realized the two of them reminded her of Nicci and herself. They acted as if they were family, rather than co-workers.
Malachi and Gemariah came out of the house then, and Trinity noticed the carefree banter between those two as well. She finally got why he wanted these people here so much. They were his family. Obviously, the two girls were close as well as the two guys. Trinity’s gaze then narrowed on the man leaning against the wall, away from everyone. Where does he fit in, she thought?
Trinity tried to excuse herself. “It was nice to meet you both.” She then pointed over to the mystery man. “I’m just going to go say hi.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” This came from Tori.
“Why not?”
Terah then jumped in. “Gideon is not the friendliest person in the world. He’s cut from a different cloth, per say.”
Trinity was a firm believer in giving everyone at least a chance. “Well, he came all this way. I might as well say hello.” She then smiled to them before making her way over to him.
She glanced at Malachi when she was almost there. He was smiling when he looked back at her but then his face turned to stone when he saw where she was headed. The man stood up straighter and glared back at Malachi. Obviously, there were some issues between the two of them.
Before she even had a chance to say anything, he spoke. “What?”
“Gideon, is it?” Trinity was never one to back down from intimidation.
“You know it is. What do you want?” He still wouldn’t look at her, but instead stared into the distance.
“I just came over to say hello.” Trinity shrugged.
“Okay, hello. Now, goodbye.” Gideon glanced in her direction, but then looked away to light another cigarette.
Trinity glanced around. Everyone was watching them. When she looked at Malachi, she saw that he was turned in her direction, but Gemariah had a hold of his arm, as if holding him back.
Shoulders squared, she turned back to Gideon. “Did I do something to offend you? Is that why you’re being so rude?”
This brought forth a chuckle from him. “Trust me, your existence is so miniscule to me that you couldn’t possibly offend me, and I’m rude to keep people like you away.”
When he took another drag on his cigarette, Trinity noticed his hand. There was a dull black dust like stain on his fingers and side of his hand. Angling her head to the side, she saw the same type of color under his jaw. There was no doubt in her mind what it was.
“What are you drawing?” Trinity threw it out there in the most casual voice she could.
That got his attention. Standing up straighter, he finally looked her in the eye. “What kind of a question is that?”
“Well, I’ve always loved charcoal drawings. There’s something more whimsical about them when the lines are not as precise as another drawing with a different media.”
All he did was stand there with his mouth slightly open. He looked like he wanted to say something, but couldn’t.
Trinity just rolled her eyes. “Oh come on. I did not go to school for four years and major in Art to not see the signs.”
He still didn’t say anything, but instead glanced around the back yard at people.
“Is it a secret?” Trinity was now whispering.
Gideon visibly swallowed but answered back in a whisper as well. “I just haven’t said anything.” Looking up, he scanned the backyard again. “What does it say about people that you’ve known for years, when a person that’s known me for a minute can see something that they can’t?” He squared his shoulders before looking back down at her. That was when she noticed the shutters closing back over his emotions. “How did you know?”
Trinity grabbed his hand, ignoring the flinch, and pointed out the color. “There is a slight discoloration on your fingers. I had the same one in college. It’s under your jaw as well. Most people when they work and stop to think, they touch around their face somewhere. Not too many people remember to clean off under their jaw.”
Gideon pulled his hand away. “Why would you study art? I thought you were a photographer. What’s one have to do with the other?”
Trinity was confused and answered warily. “Because photography is art.”
“No it’s not.” He answered in all seriousness.
“What do you mean it’s not art? Of course it is.” Trinity was more shocked than anything.
“No. All a photographer does is snap a picture of something that’s already there. Where’s the creativity?”
It was now Trinity’s turn to stand there with her mouth open. Looking around, she noticed that everyone had gone about their business, but were still occasionally glancing her way. Damn. That means someone would notice if she tried to strangle him.
Taking a deep breath instead, she defended her profession. “You’re wrong. A photographer has to judge angles, work with lighting and depth; and that’s all before you reach the dark room. There is so much more to it than point and click.”
“If you say so…” He obviously still didn’t understand.
Trinity was getting flustered. Placing her hands on her hips, she took on a defiant stance. “You have no idea what can be done in a darkroom. Have you even ever been in one?”
Gideon rolled his eyes. “Why would I have any need to?”
Trinity held up her hands, palms out, and spoke sarcastically. “You know what…you’re right. I forgot that we were living in a primitive world where there’s only one way, your way, of thinking. How on earth did we ever survive all this time without your opinion?”
“Frankly, I really don’t know.” Gideon was as calm as ever.
Trinity had looked away, only for her head to snap back around when he spoke. It was then she noticed that he was fighting not to smile. Placing her hands on her hips; she then smiled and sighed heavily. “You are an infuriating man, Mr. Gideon.”
A smile started to form but he quickly tapped it down. “So I’ve been told.”
He must have thought the look on her face was funny, because he couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a very quick, but loud, laugh.
Trinity thought the look suited him and was about to say so, until the moment was broken by the sound of glass shattering. The sound caught her off guard and she let out a small scream before jumping in the opposite direction.
Gideon watched as she caught her breath. “Do you always startle so easily?”
Trinity tried to laugh it off, but failed miserably. She had been so on edge lately, she was surprised that was all she did when she was startled. “Sometimes. It all depends on the situation.” She then looked around, back at the table. “What happened?”
Gideon frowned and shook his head. “Apparently Tori got surprised enough to drop her drink. The glass hit the patio and broke.”
“Huh” She looked over and saw that Malachi and all his friends kept looking over at them with an odd expression. “Well, I better go and see if anyone needs a hand. See ya around.”
Before she was done talking, Gideon had already dismissed her and was lighting another cigarette. “You know those things will kill you?”
Something she said must have been funny because he gave a sarcastic chuckle. “I’ve been told this too.”
“They also give you wrinkles, make you smell bad, and can cause erectile dysfunction.”
He had just taken a drag and ended up choking on it. While he was coughing and trying to catch his breath, she started to walk away. “See, not healthy…”
Trinity looked around at everyone in the backyard. After meeting everyone that came for Malachi, she contemplated their relationship. They were all different but everyone complimented one another. It was as if they were five different pieces of a puzzle that fit together just right.
When she was almost back at the table, she looked around for Malachi and found him cooking the steaks on the grill. His back was turned toward her, and she could easily admire his impressive physique; strong shoulders and back, well rounded behind; well-built all the way to his toes.
Hello……good lookin’!
His head snapped around to where Gideon was standing, but quickly looked away. Turning around, he started to scan the back yard until his gaze found her, and in turn, caught her staring. He then flashed a quick smile and winked before turning back around. A shiver ran through her when she thought about how the night was not even close to being over. They first had to make it through the party, and then they would have their time together.
It was getting late. Joseph and Renée had left a little while ago, but not before Joseph shook his hand and told him to take good care of his little girl. The statement made Trinity blush, but not as much as when Renée hugged her and told her how “dreamy” he was. Malachi had no problem hearing people when they whispered, but Renée was anything but quiet, and Trinity knew he heard every word.
Everyone else was now sitting around his patio table, enjoying the night and each other’s company. Everyone, except for Gideon, who sat at the table and sulked. Malachi didn’t even know why he was here. He had been nothing but an ass to everyone all night.
Then there was the moment Gideon talked to Trinity earlier. He was too close to kicking the shit out of Gideon for how he was speaking to her, but then…but then he laughed. He could never remember Gideon ever laughing before. Everyone that knew him had gone into shock at that moment and Tori had all but admitted that’s what caused her to drop her drink.
There was banter between the two of them now that made him uncomfortable. Granted Gideon was still an ass, but she always gave it right back to him. Neither one of them got angry and it was like they enjoyed the sparring.
Part of Malachi knew he was overreacting. He figured this out when Trinity unknowingly projected to him and he thought it was to Gideon. Projecting is something extremely personal that only happens when two people have a strong enough bond. He had never heard of someone being able to without having blood from the heavens in them, and was shocked when he realized Trinity could talk to him. That’s probably the reason why he can only hear and not say anything back. Not that he would anyway; it would bring up too many questions.
Now the sun was starting to set, and all Malachi could think about was to get these people out of his house. He was looking forward to being alone with Trinity. Malachi eyed her up and down as she sat in the chair. She looked so beautiful tonight, in her worn pair of jeans and a fitted t-shirt, that hugged her in all the right places. She had long since kicked off her flip flops and had been walking around bare foot. He enjoyed the fact that she could make herself so comfortable at his home.
Looking around the table, he tried to gauge how long people were planning on staying. The drinks were flowing and people were having a good time, so he didn’t see this winding down anytime soon. Nephilims have an alcohol tolerance unlike any human, so it would only be Trinity and Nicole that would be feeling the effects; except for the fact that neither one of them had had very much.
The little that they had consumed seemed as if it was affecting Nicole more. At first she was okay; it had brought her out of her shell. They had all had a few laughs at her giving Gemariah a hard time. Man, those two really didn’t like each other. However, she had started slurring her words more and fumbling with her glass.
Malachi watched as Tori stood up. “I’m going to get another drink, anyone else need anything while I’m in there?”
Nicole automatically spoke up. “Me pleez. Another…” She waved her glass. “Whatever you call these, again.”
Tori nodded and turned to go inside. Malachi turned his head to see Trinity grab Nicole’s hand under the table and squeeze it lightly. When Nicole looked over at her, he was amazed to witness an entire conversation spoken with only eye contact. The bond between the two of them had to be remarkable.
“Actually, sorry, could you get me water instead?” Nicole asked before Tori had disappeared into the house.
“No problem dearie. It will just be a minute.”
“So Cuteness…” Gemariah got Trinity’s attention. “You two are like polar opposites. How did you and the ice queen become friends?”
“Gemariah! You’re out of line!” Malachi snapped.
“You didn’t say anything when she called me an arrogant chauvinist pig!”
“Maybe it’s because he knows I was right.” Nicole chimed in as she glared in his direction.
“Nicci! Enough! We get it; you don’t like each other.” Trinity quickly reprimanded her friend. This felt like babysitting more than anything, he thought.
“Anyways” Trinity spoke to Gemariah. “Nicci and I were in foster care together. We grew up together since I was ten.”
“What happened to your parents?” Terah, who had been silent all this time, finally joined the conversation.
Malachi watched as Trinity retreated into herself. In a voice barely above a whisper. “They’re…”
As if not registering that she was talking, Gemariah sat straight up in his chair. “Wait a minute. Joseph told me that you were thirteen when you came to live with them.” Gemariah pointed out. “Where did you live before then?”
Trinity’s gaze shot to Nicole who had gone whiter than normal. Something wasn’t right here and he didn’t like what these questions were doing to Trinity. Malachi watched as she unknowingly shrunk to the back of her chair and strongly gripped the edge of her chair.
No more questions G. Something’s up…
Gemariah looked toward him and nodded, understanding not to pry any further.
“Trinity, it’s getting late. Are you almost ready to go?” Nicole grabbed onto Trinity’s arm.
She snapped back from wherever her mind had wondered at the question and looked towards him. “I didn’t tell her I was staying yet. I just figured she could drive home, but…she can’t drive home like this. I’ll have to take her.”
Malachi understood. He really did, but still didn’t like it. Their place was a good twenty minutes away and he doubted that she would drive all the way back, with it already being so late. Having an idea, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Can someone else take her home?”
“I don’t know.” She looked doubtful. “I’ll have to talk to her about it. I don’t want to put her in any situation that she’s uncomfortable with.” Trinity whispered back.
Malachi nodded then watched as Trinity took Nicole inside to gather their belongings. All he could do was hope Nicole had gotten comfortable enough with one of them to let them take her home.
Looking back over at his team, he flashed the best smile he could muster. “Hey guys…”
“We can’t.” Terah was the first to speak up before he had said anything to them.
“We can’t what?” Tori said coming out of the house.
“Take Nicole home.” Looking back to Malachi, she continued and gestured toward Tori and Gideon. “We have to make a stop on the way home. Work related…so she can’t be there.”
“Work related? What don’t I know?” Malachi couldn’t think of anything that was planned for the night.
“Nothing, nothing. Just a follow up from a previous case. We were going to do it another time, but we’re over here already…” She trailed off.
“But that just leaves…” He looked toward Gemariah. This was not going to be good, he thought.
This got Gemariah’s attention. “Oh no! I can’t be stuck in a car with that thing. I can see myself jumping out the window just to stop the nagging. Do you know how bad that would hurt?”
“You’ll heal.” Malachi said uncaringly. “You owe me and you know it.”
Gemariah pinched the bridge of his nose and slouched back into his chair. “Fine! I guess any man that almost cuts off his thumb thinking about a woman needs a break here and there.”
Terah immediately jumped in. “You cut your thumb? When? Where?”
He waved off her concern. “It’s no big deal. I was trimming the steaks earlier and the knife went into my thumb.” Malachi rolled his eyes thinking about that mishap. He wasn’t about to say he saw Trinity out the window and lost his concentration. He was already getting enough grief from Gemariah. “It hurt like a bitch, but healed quickly.”
Terah’s was staring over his head when she whispered, “How is this possible?”
“How’s what possible? Are you okay?” Malachi eyed her suspiciously. He was really starting to worry about her lately. She had been acting flakier than normal.
“Yeah…No…Nothing, everything’s fine.” She vigorously shook her head and got out of her seat before speaking to Tori and Gideon. “Ready to go?”
Gideon propped his feet up on the table and relaxed into his chair. “Nah, I don’t feel like going anywhere.” When he looked towards Malachi, he gave him a cunning smile. “You don’t mind, do you? It’s not like you have anything going on tonight.”
The growl was automatic. Gideon had been pushing it all night. Team member or not, Malachi needed him to leave sooner rather than later.
Luckily, Tori understood everything that was going on, because she quickly pulled Gideon’s chair out from under him. Even quicker, she grabbed his arm and stood him up before he hit the ground. “We’re out of here. Don’t be a jackass!”
“Fine! Hands off!” Gideon yelled, and tried to shrug her off when Tori was directing him to the back gate.
“See ya tomorrow!” Malachi yelled before walking towards the back door.
“Yo, I’ll be in in a minute. I want to enjoy the peacefulness a little while longer before I’m stuck with the Ice Queen.”
“Okay. Just try to be nice.” Malachi made it inside before Gemariah could say anything more. He wondered if Trinity needed any help with damage control and from what he was hearing, it didn’t sound like it was going too well.
“What do you even know about him?” He heard Nicole say.
“A lot actually! Not everything of course, but more than other men I’ve been with.”
Malachi cringed. They had never discussed other people from their past. Deep down he knew that she wasn’t a virgin, but damn, he hated hearing about it.
Following the sounds of their voices, he found them in the living room. When he got there, they were standing in the middle of the room, arguing.
“I don’t know Trinity. How do you know you can trust…” Nicole trailed off when she caught sight of him.
“Everything alright in here?”
Their gazes were locked on each other until Nicole decided to lay it all out on the line. “I don’t think she knows you well enough to trust you.”
That stung, but Malachi kept his cool. There was no use pissing her off and causing problems between him and Trinity. Instead, he slowly made his way over to the two. “Fair enough. I can tell you that I deeply respect her and wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.”
“Yeah, we’ve both heard that before.”
“Nicci, this is ridiculous. We’re not kids anymore. There are people out there that can be trusted.” Trinity was desperately trying to get her friend to understand.
Even though it pained Malachi, he couldn’t come between these two. “Listen. Trinity, I know how important you guys are to each other. I also know that you won’t be able to relax enough tonight to enjoy yourself if you two leave on a bad note. We can always wait.” Dammit! Dammit!! Dammit!!
“No!” Trinity said determined. She then turned back to Nicole but threw her hand out to gesture at him. “He makes me happy. Don’t you want me to be happy?”
“Happy?” Nicole asked in disbelief. She then looked back to him. “Tell me Malachi, if a person was happy, would they be crying in their sleep every night until their screams finally woke them up?”
“Nicci!!”
Trinity’s voice was lost to him. He felt like he had just been punched in the gut. She never said anything… No, no person would have nightmares every night if they were happy. What had he done wrong? He knew she had been looking tired, but…every night?
“How long?” He kept his gaze lowered, not wanting to look in her direction just yet.
“Dammit Nicci! It wasn’t your place to say anything.” Trinity sounded more irate than he had ever heard her.
“He has a right to know. Any friend would be concerned. I hear that you met a guy then I hardly see you anymore except for when I race into your room at night to make sure you’re alright. Now do you see why I worry?” Nicole had raised her voice to match Trinity’s, but Malachi was still waiting for his answer.
“I said, how long?” This time his voice was more of a growl.
Trinity grabbed his arms and turned him so they were facing each other. “It’s been happening since the bridge. You have to believe me when I say it has nothing to do with us. I think it’s just residual effects from everything that happened that day.”
“Are they about the bridge?”
She sighed and looked away. “No. I don’t know what they are. It’s things I’ve never seen before...at least I don’t remember seeing them.” She then locked eyes with him. “Malachi, you make me happier than I remember being in a long time. I have even tried thinking of only you before I fell asleep to possibly ward them off. Maybe these dreams have to run their course, but I always wake up wishing you were there.”
He swallowed around the lump in his throat. Her declaration was exactly how he felt. The feeling was unfamiliar to him, but he’d be damned if he’d let it go.
Malachi put both hands on her cheeks and leaned down to lightly kiss her. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He whispered as if they were the only two people there.
Grabbing his wrists, as if to hold him there, she answered. “Everything’s been so perfect. I didn’t want pop the bubble yet.”
He couldn’t stop another small growl that escaped his throat. “Weren’t you the one this week that said we couldn’t keep the important stuff like this away from each other?”
She tried to look down but the hands on her cheeks prevented the motion. He was getting waves of emotions off of her; regret, sadness, some sort of warmth, and…she was nervous. What in the world did she have to be nervous about? He didn’t give it another thought, but wrapped her in his arms.
Malachi looked up and noticed that Nicole didn’t look as mad, but still not ready to give up.
“Hey, are we leaving or wha…hey, what’s going on?” Gemariah chose that moment to walk in.
“No way! He was the one that was going to take me home? Not happening.” Nicole was adamantly shaking her head.
“It’s no picnic for me either, you know.”
Trinity spoke to Nicole in a no nonsense tone. “Yes it is. I trust Malachi and if he trusts Gemariah, then so do I.”
“Thanks, Cuteness!” Gemariah had the biggest shit-eatin’ grin on his face.
That only caused Trinity to roll her eyes. “Yes, he can be a pain…and full of himself…”
“Hey!!”
“…but I think he can be trusted.” Trinity ignored Gemariah and finished what she was saying.
“There you go throwing around that word again. Tell me Rin…you trust Malachi, right?” What was Nicole getting at now, Malachi thought?
“Yes, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!!”
“Then you’ve told him about Seth?”
All the color drained out of Trinity’s face and she shut her eyes. No, he had never heard about a Seth, but he sure as hell was going to as soon as possible. By her reaction, whoever it was, Trinity didn’t want him knowing about him.
Nicole was getting heated. “Go on! Tell him about your stalker!”
Stalker? What the f*ck?
Yo, what is going on?
Gemariah projected the question to him, but he sure as shit didn’t know anything. Instead of answering back, Malachi just shrugged his shoulders to indicate that he was just as lost.
“Shut up.” Trinity’s voice was clear but quiet.
“You trust him so much, but you can’t tell him you were attacked this week?”
“Attacked?” Apparently there was a lot more that Malachi didn’t know.
“I said SHUT UP!!” Trinity snapped at Nicole and took one step toward her.
Fearing the worst, Malachi grabbed her arm to stop her from harming her friend. When he did, he noticed the small wince she let slip. Shit!
He pulled her over to him and got her attention away from Nicole. The sleeves of her shirt went to her elbows so he gently lifted one. What he saw made him see red. Someone had to die!
“It’s really not that bad. They are going away faster than bruises usually do on me so it’s nothing to worry about.” Trinity was quick to explain.
They? She said they…indicating more than one. It was taking all of Malachi’s self-control not to go on a rampage. He wanted to rip off the hand of the person that dare marked his woman.
“Where’s the other one?” Malachi took a breath and asked through clenched teeth.
By now, Nicole and Gemariah were standing on either side of them, watching everything. When she indicated her other arm, he took a look at that one as well. It was darker than the other one. He took it back; he was going to rip off every appendage of this person first, before killing them.
Concentrating on breathing, he barely registered that Gemariah was talking. “So…you were grabbed from behind?” He was examining the bruises when she nodded. “Are there any others?”
Malachi let out a slow breath when she shook her head. He was nowhere near okay, but he needed to know. “What happened?”
“I was grabbed from behind. I got away, then went and filled out a police report. It was really nothing.”
This, more than anything, pissed him off and he raised his voice to let her know how unhappy he was. “Nothing? It was not nothing! Why didn’t you tell me!?!”
She crossed her arms over her chest and got in her defiant position. “It was the day that the building collapsed. You know…the day I thought you were dead. It slipped my mind.”
Malachi remembered that day and how they didn’t talk much when they saw each other, but they had talked at least once a day since then and saw each other as well. “You could have said something later. This is not something that a person forgets.”
Trinity let out a deep sigh and spoke softly. “I know. I’m sorry. I was going to tell you, I really was. Everything was going so well, so I didn’t want to put a damper on things.”
“Never again.” Malachi growled out before pulling her back in for a hug. He was still shaken up from all this new information. Slowly the tension started to ease away. “How am I supposed to protect you if you keep things from me?”
She squeezed him tighter. “No more. I promise.” There was a slight pause. “Do you still want me to stay?” Before he could answer, she went on. “If you don’t, it’s okay. Or if you want, we could stay up as late as you want and just talk. I’ll answer any questions you might have. You probably have a lot. I can even tell you…”
Malachi pulled back and stopped her rambling by placing his thumb over her lips. “I would love it if you stayed.”
“Fine! You do what you want. Give me the keys; I’m fine now.” Nicole barked at Trinity, successfully breaking into their moment.
Trinity gave a look to her friend that he never wanted to be on the receiving end of, before turning more toward her. “How dare you.”
“Now Trinity, she was just trying to be a good friend.” Malachi tried to calm her down.
“A friend? A friend wouldn’t have broken the trust between us. You ripped away the opportunity to tell him at my own time.” The last part was snapped at Nicole.
“And when was that going to be Rin?”
“I don’t know, but it was my decision.” Trinity was now hollering. “Why would you even do that?”
“I did it because you are like a bee flying towards honey when it comes to trouble, and God forbid you take care of yourself.” Nicole was now at the same volume as Trinity.
Malachi watched as Trinity fought back her tears. “Maybe if I wasn’t too busy taking care of everyone else, I could take care of myself.” Trinity took another step toward her friend. “Have you thought that maybe you were jealous, and that’s the real reason you spilled your guts.”
Malachi looked over to Gemariah and gave a nod in the direction of Nicole. He had to get these two separated before one said something they’d regret.
“Jealous? Of what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you were trying to mess things up for me because I wasn’t around anymore. You know…the whole misery loves company thing…”
It was Gemariah that stepped between them this time. “Alright. We’re done here.” He then nudged Nicole toward the door. “Come on, I’ll drive you home.”
Nicole quickly stepped away from Gemariah. “No thank you. I can drive myself.”
Gemariah shook his head. “Not happening. You’re still inebriated.” He then gave her his pouty face that got him almost anything he wanted. “Come on…I’ll be nice. You can even pick the radio station.”
“Don’t give me that look!” Nicole snapped, but eventually relented. “Fine, whatever.” As she walked toward the door, Malachi swore he heard her mumble something about classical music.
“Nicci!” They were just about to make it out the door when Trinity hollered out, successfully stopping their retreat.
When she turned around, Trinity sighed. “I love you. See you tomorrow.”
He looked toward Nicole, confused more than ever. Weren’t they just fighting and throwing insults?
Nicole sagged but nodded. “I love you too.”
After that, she turned around and walked out the door, at the same time yelling for Gemariah to get his butt in gear. He would never understand women. One moment they were about to make each other cry but before they separated they…professed their love. He had to think. Maybe their bond was stronger than originally thought.