Chapter Four
Nate
Apollo stared at me as I threw another T-shirt on top of a growing pile. We’d had words already when he tried attacking the shirts, sliding in between them and creating a pile of rags instead of neatly folded cotton.
“It’s your fault,” I accused as I went to the sock drawer. “There was no need for your earlier antics, and you know it.”
Who knew cats could throw so much shade with just a look?
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Get over here.” Apollo didn’t move. Instead, I went to him. Crawling across the bed, I plopped down beside him and pulled his heavy body onto my lap. Apollo gave a half-assed mew of protest but settled in quickly enough. “Happy now?” I asked while scratching his cheek. Another heavy weight hit the mattress, and when I glanced over, Starbuck was winding his way toward my ankles. Within seconds, I had a second cat draped over my shins.
“How did my life come to this? That will be my obituary someday. ‘Smothered by obese cats.’” I leaned my head back and let loose a weighty sigh. Two beers, one conversation with Nat, and cat therapy later, my brain had finally eased off the ledge it was perched on a couple of hours ago.
I wasn’t sure which of those three decompression techniques worked the most. In a way, they were all necessary. Speaking with Nat most likely calmed me the most. She reminded me that, as odd as it seemed, Perry was actually safest while working at Maverick Insurance. Willie would be insane to go after him there. It was the main reason I hadn’t said anything yet. Well, one of the main reasons.
Perry’s job was more than a job. It gave him purpose and pulled him back into the world. After his assault, Perry hadn’t been certain he’d be able to hold down a job. Given his physical limitations, his options were slim. Malcom’s manipulations aside, Perry’s job at Maverick gave him back his freedom, a paycheck, and essential health insurance. My fiancé was the kind of man who needed to make his own way in the world, and his custodial position at Maverick Insurance gave him the means to do exactly that.
I managed a heavy sigh with Apollo’s weight on my chest. Staring at the ceiling, I begged it for answers. Not surprisingly, none were forthcoming. Apollo’s rumbled purrs vibrated against my chest as my fingers repeatedly scratched along his chin. Looking down my nose at him, I said, “I suppose you’re forgiven.” The look I got clearly stated he didn’t share that sentiment when it came to me.
Groaning, I pushed Apollo off my chest and dislodged Starbuck from my ankles. Both cats mewed in protest, and I figured I’d set back my relationship with them by a couple of days. If I opened up the treats, that timespan would shrink to minutes, if not seconds.
“Your dad will shoot me if I give you any more treats,” I said while refolding the T-shirts and stacking them in a combined suitcase. I scoffed at myself. “Forget your dad. Gayle’s the one I need to worry about.” Yeah, that sounded about right. Gayle was far more likely to commit homicide than Perry. I swallowed hard while remembering Keith’s case. Gayle had been a suspect in her roommate’s two-timing boyfriend’s demise. Gayle had nothing to do with Keith’s murder. That didn’t mean the woman wasn’t capable, especially when it came to her friends.
I continued packing until my phone lit up with Perry’s text. Looked like he anticipated being finished in another fifteen, maybe twenty minutes. He was later than usual, but he’d texted earlier and informed me he thought tonight might be longer. The office was a bit messier than typical.
“That’s my cue,” I told the cats. I wondered when I’d turned into the kind of person who spoke with furry four-leggeds on a regular basis. There were times when I thought I got more information out of one of my conversations with Apollo or Starbuck than I did with a suspect. At least the expressions and reactions I got from the boys were truthful.
Grabbing my lightweight jacket, keys, and wallet, I headed for the door. A quick scan of the hallway revealed nothing had changed since I’d entered Perry’s apartment. I didn’t know if it was the cop in me or the worried boyfriend who insisted on peering into every deep, dark corner. Whatever the reason, I’d become hypervigilant when it came to Perry’s safety. I had no idea if that would change once Willie was caught or not. Somehow, I doubted it.
“ T hey had a baby shower at work today,” Perry said, his tone bubbly. “That’s why the office was messier than usual.” Perry couldn’t sit still. He was wired and filled with anticipatory joy. “Malcom said he’d have a talk with the staff about not leaving the place in such a travesty, but I told him not to. They were having fun, and it’s not like that’s the typical situation. Besides, I don’t mind. It makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something.” Perry shrugged, and his cheeks pinked. “It feels good doing something that’s needed, even if it’s just cleaning.”
I reached over and grasped his hand. “There are a lot of people in this world that hate the very thought of picking up a broom. Trust me, what you do is very much needed and appreciated.”
Perry squeezed my hand and changed the subject. “I was worried that Gabe wouldn’t be able to make it to the retreat. He’s been gone so much recently, but Delia said she expects him to be there for a good portion of it. Malcom agreed.”
I swallowed my anxiety. I still wasn’t certain where Gabriel Scott fit into the overall Maverick picture, but I had my suspicions. “That’s great. I’m glad he’ll be able to make it.”
“Delia said he’ll stay with her when he’s there.” Perry twisted in his seat, his eyes wide and grin even wider. “Delia’s cabin is next to ours. Isn’t that great? And Malcom’s staying on the other side. That part might not be as thrilling for you, but—”
“It’ll be perfect.” I half-ass lied. The setup was as ideal as we were going to get. I simply hated the reason for it. I also hated keeping Perry in the dark. At the same time, I couldn’t fathom bursting his happy bubble. Perry had so much tragedy in his life. He’d been through some of the darkest times imaginable and came out the other side mentally and physically intact. Was it too much to ask for a little bit of joy and happiness? Maybe. If so, I’d pay the price later. Right now, I couldn’t imagine saying anything that might dent the delight Perry currently bathed in.
“I wonder what kind of activities Malcom has planned.” Perry changed positions, easing back into his seat and staring into the darkened night. “I hope they don’t take up the entire time. I mean, I don’t exactly hate those kinds of group events, but I’d like time with just the two of us. There are some easier walking trails, and we can start with those—see how my knee holds up. If that goes well, we might try something a little more vigorous.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I reassured him. “I think I managed to get most of the packing done.”
“Oh, I wasn’t sure if you’d have time. I was worried that whatever Nat needed would suck up a lot of your time.”
Shit. Another lie . “Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “It didn’t take as long as she thought it might.” I couldn’t look at Perry and kept my eyes trained on the road. At this time in the early morning, there weren’t many cars about.
“I’m glad. Anything you need to worry about while we’re away?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Nothing at all. Nat’s got my number in case something comes up. I called Billings State Park information earlier, and they said cell service in the area is decent, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good. I was concerned about that. I told Gayle to call if there were any concerns with the boys. You know how they get when we’re away. They’ll snub us for sure when we get back.”
“They do tend to hold a grudge,” I easily agreed.
“No kidding.” Perry blew out a breath. “And they even like Gayle.”
“She doesn’t give them treats like we do.”
“There is no we in that scenario. There is only you .”
“Can’t argue that.” My cheeks ached with my grin. Discussing Starbuck and Apollo was a far safer subject. Unfortunately, that couldn’t last.
“Do you think . . .”
I glanced in Perry’s direction before I turned into his apartment complex parking lot. “Do I think what?”
“Nothing.”
I put the car in park and shut off the engine. “Your tone doesn’t make it sound like nothing. Come on, talk to me.”
Perry’s fingers danced along his thigh, tapping out a rhythm I couldn’t follow. “Willie.” Perry cringed while saying the name. “I hate to even utter that name, to bring him into a situation I’m looking forward to, but . . . I can’t help but wonder if . . .” Perry’s voice wavered.
“Hey.” Unbuckling my seatbelt, I shifted so I could cup Perry’s chin, turning his face toward me. “I’m not going to say I’m not concerned, but—”
“We can’t live our lives in fear,” Perry finished. “I know, and I don’t plan on it. If I did that, then I’d never leave the apartment. It’s just… Am I being foolish by going? It’s one thing to not let Willie Slater control my day-to-day life, but is it reckless placing myself, placing you , in a situation where we’ll be more vulnerable?”
I stroked my thumb down Perry’s cheek and chin. This man… “Maybe a little. But if we didn’t go, then that’s placing a victory in Willie’s hands, and I’m not ready to do that just yet. How about you?”
Perry nuzzled into my palm. “I only want to hand out defeat after defeat to Willie.”
“Good, then that’s what we’ll do. There’s no better revenge than being happy and enjoying life. We’ve got the happiness nailed down. Let’s get to the enjoying life part.”
Perry’s eyes became half-lidded as he tilted his head enough to kiss my palm. “God, I love you.”
My heart tripped over itself, and I rubbed my chest with my free hand. “I love you too.”
“I know,” Perry answered with powerful surety. “I have no idea why, but I do know. I never doubt it.”
“Good. I’m not sure what I’d do if you did.”
Perry grinned. “Knowing you, you’d find a way to convince me.”
I chuckled while Perry released my hand. “You know me so well.”
“I do,” Perry answered. “And you know me. You see me.”
Privately, I truly hoped so. Not that I knew everything there was to know about Perry. If I did, where would the fun in that be? I was looking forward to the future—not because I was certain of its path, but because I was uncertain. What I did know was the destination and the passenger I’d be taking along the way. Life was a winding road, but as long as Perry was by my side, we’d figure out the directions. Sometimes we’d ask for help, and other times we’d wander off and explore at will, getting lost and finding our own way back. Depending on who was at the wheel, we’d take turns picking out the music, making up our own lyrics as we went.
That was the joy of finding your person. The one that got you. The one that forgave your sins and embraced your faults. The one that got up every morning and chose to fall back in love with you time and time again.