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We stand in our surroundings, as I wait for him to answer.

When he does, he lets out a sigh first, “We have one more day of living in the now. After tomorrow, what comes next, it will consume us. But now it is always going to be us, regardless of what is coming.”

There is a part of his life that I have been curious about. But this isn’t the first time he has asked for us to live in this moment and not worry about the future yet. I don’t push it. He will tell me. Once this is over, I trust him.

Rubbing my hand against his stomach, “Okay. As long as it’s always us, that’s what matters.”

Kissing the top of my head, he says with absolute certainty, “Never fucking doubt it.”

ELIJAH

Holding Rain close, I never want to let her go. And I won’t. She is always mine.

But I will have to tell her what’s next. Time is ticking and it is not on our side. Eventually, I will get the call and we will have to go.

Before, it didn’t bother me. Before Rain, nothing mattered to me. I was content and accepted what my future meant.

Now I don’t want to think about it.

My phone vibrates in my pants pocket, Rain is still cuddled against me as I reach for it.

It’s him. Her father. Maxton fucking Montgomery.

Answering, I put it on speaker so she can hear, I’m already short with him, “What?”

“Don’t what me, boy. The shit you have pulled these last few nights is done. You bring her in tomorrow, or it will be you next. Do you fucking hear me?” He shouts, he is seething which makes me smile.

“She will be there. When haven’t I brought a name for The Dark One?” I throw back at him. Rain and I talked after we fucked in the driveway. In order for him to not have his guard up at Devil’s Night, we need to play his game and make him think he was winning

“Good. You better remember your place. Who you fucking answer to. I shouldn't have to call and remind you like this.”

He is really laying it on thick.

“I understand. I needed to get some shit out of my system.” Rolling my eyes while each word is a lie, leaving my lips.

“Don’t think for a second I won’t fuck her in front of you before I kill her. Remember that when you take her for the last time.”

Then the call ends.

She squeezes me hard. Trying to comfort me, knowing how fucking crazy the thought of that makes me. My heart is pounding as images flash before me. Clenching my fists, my knuckles go white as I squeeze my eyes shut.

“E, you would never let him get that close to me.” Her soft voice whispers to my demon.

“We have a plan. It will work. He will never win.”

Her lips brush against my chin, “Come back to me, E. Come home.”

My little bat knows me better than I do, always knowing what I need before I do.

“Please, E. I need you here. With me.”

My heart rate starts to slow as my fists release and my teeth stop clenching. Breathing starts to return to normal, and my mind returns to my vision of the now instead of picturing his threats.

As my eyes flutter open, I look down to see hers, looking up at me with compassion.

Leaning down, I kiss her. Rain’s soft lips against mine, it grounds me. As I pull back, she grips my face with her tiny hands and murmurs, “Welcome back, baby.”

Chapter 24