Page 10 of Dark Visions (Strange Gifts #1)
The clouds were heavy with water, waiting to release the deluge on the unsuspecting pedestrians crowding the streets below. The wind whipped around them, the cold air sending shivers down Aislinn’s spine. Her only winter coat was still at the office, one more reason to return.
“This is it,” she said, stopping in front of the building.
“Do you want me to come up with you?” he asked. She looked inside the building, Willy’s smiling face greeting the morning rush.
“I shouldn’t want you to, I guess. I’m sure it’s unprofessional, but yes. Will you come up?” she said shyly.
“You know I will, Aislinn.”
Pressing the button for twenty-three, Aislinn felt the warm hand of Kane against her lower back, reassuring her that all would be well. Three people stepped off on fifteen, and Kane turned Aislinn toward him to give a kiss of reassurance.
“I’m right here, honey,” he said, guiding her off the elevator as the doors opened. Aislinn walked toward her cubicle, eyeing Mr. Lewis’s head sitting at his desk. His steely eyes caught her gaze and then the glare of the giant of a man behind her.
“Miss Carter, so nice of you to join us,” he said in a sarcastic tone.
“Mr. Lewis, I’m truly sorry about yesterday.”
“Yes, well, I heard from the hospital that you left without physician authority. That’s highly irregular, Miss Carter.”
“Yes, sir, I know it is. It’s just that I-I wanted to…”
“She wanted to be home in her own bed, and so I took her out of the hospital,” said Kane. “It’s more than legal, and it’s certainly the patient’s right to do so.”
“And you are?”
“Kane Jackson, I’m Aislinn’s boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend? You’ve never mentioned a boyfriend before, but no matter. We tried to reach you yesterday at your home. You weren’t there.” His tone was accusing and suspicious, and Kane was ready to punch the asshole in the face.
“She came to my home,” he growled. “And as an attorney, Mr. Lewis, you should know that Aislinn has the right to sign herself out of the hospital at any time – without doctor’s authority. You should also know that she doesn’t have to tell you about any personal relationships.”
“Be that as it may, I’m sorry to tell you that we’ll no longer need your services, Miss Carter. As of today, we will be releasing you.”
“On what grounds?” she asked calmly.
“No grounds, Miss Carter. We’re an at-will state, as you well know. Here is your paperwork. We’ve given you a generous severance package and will continue your health benefits for the next six months. I’m sorry this didn’t work out, but we wish you the best.”
Aislinn reached for the envelope gingerly, afraid of who may have touched the material. Kane saw her hesitation and took the packet from Mr. Lewis, his eyes widening at the big man’s abruptness.
“I really am sorry this didn’t work out, Miss Carter. I hope that your health improves in the future.” Lewis eyed the big man standing protectively over Aislinn. There was something dangerous about him, and it wasn’t just the scars and burns on his face and neck. This man had seen things, seen war.
Aislinn nodded at Mr. Lewis. She wasn’t angry at the man. She understood his need to have consistency in the office, and unfortunately, she had been unable to provide that to the firm. It wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last time she’d have to leave an employer due to her headaches. She gathered her few belongings into a large tote bag she kept in her desk drawer and straightened the company files on her desk. Grabbing her coat, she left her cubicle for the last time.
Kane laid his hand on her back and began to guide her out of the office.
“Oh, Miss Carter, one more thing. The emergency room doctor, Dr. Krauss? He called here looking for you. Something about papers needing to be signed.” Aislinn paled, her stomach dropping into her shoes. She swayed against Kane as he gripped her waist, holding her firmly to his body.
“It’s not a problem,” said Kane. “We were headed there from here.”
Lewis eyed the two suspiciously and nodded. He was fond of Aislinn, but her constant absences from the mysterious headaches interrupted his flow of business.
By the time they reached the sidewalk again, Aislinn sucked in a deep breath of fresh air and leaned against Kane.
“I don’t think I can go back there,” she said.
“I’ll be with you, Aislinn. We have to go back, honey. We have to find out if he knows anything.”
“Oh God! You don’t think? You know, think that he knows? He couldn’t know, could he?”
“I don’t know, baby,” he said, pulling her in for a hug. “Let’s go get my car. We’re not far.”
A few blocks away, in the underground garage of his apartment, they retrieved his truck and headed toward the hospital.
“Can we stop at my place first? I need clothes and toiletries and things if I’m staying with you again.”
Her statement was quiet and shy. Kane realized she was unsure of where their relationship was going. Hell, he was unsure! He hadn’t experienced a relationship that lasted more than three days in twenty years. Yet he knew in his heart that Aislinn belonged with him.
Kane nodded and followed her directions to the small efficiency apartment. It wasn’t run-down, but it wasn’t exactly in the best neighborhood in the city. Kane wondered why she hadn’t used some of her trust money to buy a better place but decided against asking her. He was sure that Aislinn had her reasons, and they were exactly that, her reasons.
He watched Aislinn move around the tiny space packing two large suitcases with what appeared to be everything she owned. The furniture was sparse and worn but clean.
“I-I don’t own any of this. It came furnished. I never know when I have to leave somewhere quickly, so I don’t buy anything really, other than necessities.”
Kane nodded, watching her nervously straighten the apartment. The pit in his stomach grew wider at the thought of Aislinn returning to this place. She belonged with him. They belonged together.
“Drop the key at the landlord’s.” It was a statement. No, it was a command, and Aislinn looked up at him, shocked.
“What? I-I can’t, Kane. We…”
“You can. You and I… you and I are real, and we’ll figure it out, but you’re not coming back here. It’s not safe, and it’s certainly not where you belong.”
“Kane,” she said softly, “I appreciate this, all of this, but you don’t owe me anything. I want to see what happens with you and me too, but not at the expense of your privacy.”
“Fuck my privacy,” he growled, “this isn’t about my privacy, Aislinn. This is about how I feel about you, what’s between the two of us. Now, if you don’t feel the same way, then just tell me. But me? I know that this is real.” His insecurities and doubts were creeping into his thoughts, all the failed relationships, all the women he hoped would love him for him.
“I do feel the same way,” she said, moving closer to him. She placed her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I don’t understand it either, but I know that I’ve never felt safer or more at home than when I’m with you.”
She looked up to see a strange look on his face and knew the words weren’t exactly what he wanted to hear.
“Kane, I have never allowed a man to touch me as you did. You know that. That should tell you how I feel about you and where I’m willing to go with this, with us. I just didn’t want you to do anything out of obligation.”
“This isn’t about fucking obligation, Aislinn!” he yelled. He dragged his hand through his shaggy hair and stepped back from her, taking a long shuddering breath. “I care for you. I-I can’t explain any of this, but you’re mine, Aislinn. Mine.”
She stared into the rich emerald depths of his eyes, searching for something, waiting to feel something that would send a memory or a nightmare to warn her, waiting for the other shoe to drop as it always did. But there was nothing except calm, peaceful waves of warmth and desire.
“I am yours. And you, you, Kane Jackson, are mine.” He stared at her for a moment and then grinned, a mischievous victorious grin.
“Damn straight.”
Kissing her nose, he grabbed the two large bags and opened the door. Aislinn turned and looked around the tiny space. There was no sadness in leaving this place. This would be the end of a chapter and, hopefully, the beginning of her book.
She knocked on the superintendent’s door and handed him the key and her notice. Her rent was paid through the end of the month, so wouldn’t be a factor, and he was certain he could rent the place quickly. The older man liked Aislinn and was always kind to her. Kane loaded her bags, and when he slid into the truck, he reached across the seat and grabbed Aislinn’s hand.
“Are you ready, baby?”
“Ready,” she smiled.