Page 13 of A Midnight Romance

Lux

I t feels like there’s a ball of cotton lodged in my throat from nerves during the entire drive home, and it only becomes larger the second my eyes land on River’s slick black car.

Once I pull into the garage, I wonder if I should leave the door open for him to come in or if I should meet him at this car.

But after a quick debate on whether to text him, his black-cladded figure steps out onto the wet, shimmering street.

He makes his way toward me, the heavy droplets of rain pelting down on him while he remains unfazed.

“Hello, Lux.” He says my name with a smoothness that rolls down my throat, coating the dryness.

“River,” I manage to return. My heart is pounding against the back of my ribcage.

“I brought you something.” He lifts the sleek black bag clutched in his hand that I hadn’t noticed before.

My pulse quickens, curious about what it could be. “What is it?”

“Let’s go inside,” he tells me with a steady confidence as he walks past me and toward the door like he’s more familiar with my place than I am.

With a weighted breath, I close my garage, then slip in front to remind him this is my space.

His heavy footfalls are not far behind mine, and with each thud in the concrete floor my heart skips a beat.

When we reach the steps leading to the door to the house, I pause for a moment and rethink about letting him into my home .

Am I inviting a monster inside?

I push the thought away, remembering how kind and gentle he’s been, although dangerous at the same time—making him incredibly fascinating, but terrifying.

I open the door that leads into the dimly lit kitchen, and with a quick flick of the lock behind me, River and I both stand face-to-face in silence, except for the sound of rain wrapping on the windows.

His black hoodie pulled up over his head, while his face is masked once again.

Without a word, he walks into my living room and takes a seat on the couch.

With one leg bent across the other he leans back and crosses his arms as if waiting for me to speak first.

The pounding from my heart now pulses through my eardrums from fear, or maybe excitement. I can’t tell yet.

“I need you to put this on.” His arm extends, handing me the black duffle bag.

Taking a step in stride, I walk from the hardwood floor onto the plush carpet.

With a slight shake, I reach out to take the bag from him. His fingers brush against mine, sending electricity shooting down my spine. Our eyes meet for a moment before both dart away.

I clear my throat. “What is this?” I ask, unzipping it.

“Your outfit for tonight. You need to change and we don’t have a lot of time.”

“Now?” I ask. “It’s late.”

“You asked if you could help, right?” When I nod, he continues. “Then, for once, stop asking questions and do as I ask. I’ll explain after.”

My brows furrow at his command. I hate being told what to do and the thought to protest eats at me, but I realize the faster I get changed, the closer I am to getting answers .

“Fine.” I quickly step into the guest bathroom and change into the long-sleeved black sweater, matching joggers, and running shoes.

I take a look at myself in the mirror, noticing a glow to my skin and feel a flutter in my chest. The exhilaration of it has me almost bouncing on the balls of my feet ready to jump out of my skin.

Running my hands along the fabric hugging my curves, a thought forms. These clothes are in my exact size. How does he know my size?

When I walk back into the living room, River’s typing on his phone, lost in whoever he’s talking to.

“Better?” I hold my arms out before doing a full turn for him.

“Perfect.”

I can feel my cheeks heat at his comment, but I brush it away, trying not to read into it.

“How did you know my size?” I ask curiosity getting the best of me.

A light chuckles escapes from behind his mask. “Lucky guess.”

“Lucky guess?” I repeat questioning his answer.

“Yes.”

I take him at his word, but know better of it. So, instead get back to what is the purpose of tonight. Taking a seat next to him, but maintaining some space, I ask, “Now, where are we headed?”

River puts his phone away. “We’re going to stake out your accountant.”

My stomach somersaults, but I act like I have myself under control and can absolutely do this. “All right.”

“He’s the one we have the most information on at the moment, and he might be our best bet to help find their next location,” he says.

“Next location?” I’m unsure about his comment at first, but then remember my dad mentioned he believes this group is trying to repeat the college sex ring from twenty years ago. Which means, they’ll be capturing more women.

“I’ve already told you too much.” River rises to his feet.

But on reflex, I grab his arm. Towering over me, his head whips around to capture my eyes. They flare with shock. “No. If we’re doing this, I need to know everything you do.”

He lets out a groan. “The guys we’re tracking are Andrew Hughes, the heir to Hughes Hotels, Nolen Pierce, an insurance broker, Richard Smith, who you already know is an accountant,” he continues to name them off. “And Duncan Jones, a security guard.”

“How do you know all of this?”

“I have a contact in the FBI.” Of course, he does. “Any more questions?”

I roll my eyes at him, recalling his frustration with me for showing up at Rich’s house that first night. He knew Rich was one of the men the whole time. “I’m good for now.”

“We need to leave,” he mutters and slides his hand into mine, urging me to stand.

My hand tingles as it’s tucked in his while he leads me through my own house, second-guessing every decision I’ve made in the last two weeks. I forego any previous fears I might have had and follow him to his car.

During the drive to Rich’s house, a few stolen glances are exchanged, but we remain silent. My mind is running a million miles a minute, all while being hit with conflicting emotions.

What will happen once we get there? Do we stay in the car?

River’s car slows to a stop a few houses down from Rich’s, and then he turns to face me.

“What now?” I ask.

“We wait,” he simply says.

My palms sweat. “Wait for what? ”

“Criminals like to move under the security of the night. It’s easier since they can go undetected.”

I want to ask how he knows that, but at this point I’m learning River is not one to freely share information. He’s more private and reserved, which makes sense with the bits and pieces I’ve picked up about his nighttime activities.

“I got some information from my dad about the case,” I offer, hoping it opens him up.

“It’s probably information I already know,” he dismisses, his gaze firmly fixated on Rich’s house.

“You are stubborn,” I mutter under my breath.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You keep shutting me out when we’re supposed to be a team.”

“You’re not on my team, Lux. You asked if you could come along,” he reminds me. “That’s what I’m letting you—” River’s hand flies up to his ear. “We’re clear?”

What? Is he talking to himself?

I don’t have time to clarify when he turns to me and says, “We’re going in. My team told me the family is staying with friends for the night in Bellevue.”

“You want us to break in?” My heart rate picks up.

“What do you think we came here for? His alarm system has been disabled, and I have men monitoring his moves.”

“Wait, his alarm system? You can do that?”

“Yes, now follow my lead. Stay close and touch nothing without my saying so.”

“All right,” I reply hesitantly. I’ve never broken into someone’s house before—never even thought about it. This is extremely risky .

“It’s time to put your mask on now.” He hands over a balaclava, exactly like the one he’s wearing.

With a deep inhale, I fill my lungs with air preparing myself for what I’m about to do. I take it from him, open the bottom and quickly slip it over my face. Without checking where the eyeholes are, it slides on crooked.

“Let me help you.” River’s gentle hands are clasped over mine as he twists the front of the mask to position it into place.

As soon as the black fabric is no longer blocking my vision, my gaze is captured by two deeply mysterious eyes staring at me.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” River’s warm hand lingers on top of mine for a few moments before he pulls it away, but doesn’t break contact. Then, he turns to step out of the driver seat where he proceeds to swiftly walk over to my side. With a soft opening of the door, he extends his hand. “Let’s go.”

I look at his gloved hand for a moment, before slipping mine into his. For some odd reason, my nerves instantly settle. Almost like I can trust he will take care of me and that he has everything handled.

We make our way across the street, up the short driveway, and through the back fence.

I don’t have the time to admire the tailored backyard with a swing set, pool, and mini putting green as River drags me beneath the covered patio to prevent us from being drenched even further from the downpour of rain.

River releases my hand to pull out a metal rod from his pocket, and I’m shocked at how disappointing it feels not to be connected with him anymore. With one swift motion, he unlocks the back door and we walk into a giant kitchen that looks like something out of an interior designer catalog.