“You can wait in the other room for her. She’ll be down in a minute.”
As she looked around the impressive foyer, the grand, wrought-iron staircase stood out the most.
“I’ll wait here.” She couldn’t help wringing her hands. Worrying about Elle was the only thing she could do on the way over. Not only was she already nervous, but she wanted to be here when she came down.
It’s all my fault. The only reason Elle ever got hurt was because of her. If she hadn’t needed her as a shield at school, she would be in public school and wouldn’t be working in a diner downtown. She’d be… safe.
Nodding his head, Amo looked like he was about to head off, but then he stopped.
“I promise you, Chloe, she’s going to be fine. We won’t let her or you get hurt anymore.”
Her heart tugged at that moment as she looked into his eyes. She could tell he meant every word.
“Thank you, Amo.”
This time, after he nodded, he left the room and her to her thoughts.
Nero came down the stairs soon after, nodding his head at her just like Amo had done before leaving the room.
Finally, when Elle came down the huge staircase, a little part of her calmed. She looked okay considering what had happened. Then again, Elle was tough and unfortunately used to these things.
Elle quickly noticed her attire of a black, long-sleeved, Peplum dress with black tights and heels. “You didn’t leave until it was over, did you?”
Chloe could see the look on Elle’s face, showing she was worried that her father was going to make her pay for it. Wanting so badly to lie, she knew there wasn’t much of a point because Elle could always tell. Solemnly, she shook her head.
“I’m okay. Thankfully, Nero was there, and that’s all that matters.” Elle smiled, letting her know she really was all right.
Still unable to find words, she nodded.
Elle decided changing the subject might help. “Do you think Mom will believe I’m spending the night over at your house?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“What about if I told her we have a project due tomorrow?”
Chloe could feel the tension start to leave her body. “It might work.”
“Come in here a second.” Nero’s loud voice echoed throughout the house.
His yelling certainly broke the tension between them. Looking at each other, they wanted to laugh at the fact that Nero had decided to yell then just to tell them to come here.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to relax. She’s safe now.
Chloe spent the rest of the evening with Elle at Nero’s house. They were introduced to Maria, Nero’s sister who was in college. She was surprisingly really nice and drop dead gorgeous. They weren’t exactly used to being around a girl who didn’t want to kill them, so it took a bit for Chloe to warm up enough to talk to her.
Not knowing whether it was the dinner party from before or the new environment of being at Nero’s house, Chloe desperately needed to take a breather. The second she had entered the spacious living room, she had seen a hint of the backyard that looked absolutely stunning. It called to her, made her itch to want to see it for an unknown reason.
“Do you think Nero would mind if I walked out there?” she asked, deciding to take the opportunity of the pizzas arriving for distraction.
“No, he shouldn’t.” Elle knew that was the only way she would survive any social function. “Go on.” She smiled in encouragement.
Chloe walked to the back door and placed her hand on the doorknob. She had been waiting for this all night. Quietly, she slipped out, closing the door behind her. Then, turning around, her breath was taken away by the sight.
There was only one word to describe it: magical.
Thirty-Three
He Was No Man. He Was the Boogieman
Present Day
The smell of him was what woke her from her long slumber. She hadn’t awakened once, still covering herself and clutching Amo’s jacket throughout the night. It was the best sleep she had gotten in years, making her wonder if his jacket had …
She sat up quickly and pulled the material away from her body, placing it on her bed. She found herself staring at it for several minutes, trying to fully remember how she had ended up with it.
The sleepy daze wore off, directing her eyes to her blank white wall, bringing the memory of last night alive …
Pop. Pop.
The quietest gunshot greeted her ears, trailed by a door squeaking open.
Stay still, little girl …
Mind going blank, she had no recollection of how she had ended up in the bathtub.
Elle’s crying voice seemed so far away as she got in the tub beside her. “Nero, someone’s h-here. I think they have a gun.”
Or it’ll just hurt worse…
The sound of the door breaking in was the last sound she thought she was ever going to hear.
I’ve come for you …
Crack.
The sound of broken bones greeted her ears as a baseball bat slammed down onto a limp body.
Snap.