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But that day should have been the first red flag, when he insisted that all my things would be stored in the storage room in the basement until we got time to decide where we would put them. They are still sitting in that storage room. They weren’t good enough for his home. Yes, and those are the important words.
His home.
It never becameourhome.
Not long after moving in, things began to change, or more accurately, Jason changed. No more sweet words and flowers, date nights, or quiet time for just the two of us. I became one of his staff, with my schedule and the way I got more messages from his secretary than I did from him. I excused his behavior, saying that he was busy and once he got his career where it needed to be then things would go back to normal. But instead, that became the new normal. I saw him less and less, and the sex almost became nonexistent. And on the rare occasions we did get naked together, it was what I would call a quickie that he needed to get himself off and find relief. It was never about me.
Rolling onto my side, I kick myself that I’ve let me mind wander back to him. Curling my body up into a ball, hugging the other pillow on the bed, I bury my head into the one I’m lying on. The tears slide down my cheeks, but I don’t want to make a noise. I’ve already made a fool of myself today. Tonight, I’ll just let it all drain out, and hopefully, when the exhaustion from crying kicks in, I’ll close my eyes and sleep.
I’m swearing off all men forever. I don’t need them or the crap that goes with relationships. I’m sure they aren’t all like that, but I can’t let my heart get walked over like that again. I’ve known enough loss in my life, the kind of loss that makes your heart feel like that pain alone will kill you and you aren’t sure you’ll ever get through it. I’m not setting myself up to get smacked down again, having to pick up the pieces, like I’m trying to do now. I might act all tough in front of Ghost, but the truth is, I’m not. Not in the slightest.
I’m weak and vulnerable, but most of all, confused. Why does everything bad keep happening to me? Why do some people get to go through life blessed with love and happiness? Yet I get to live through hurt, loneliness, and betrayal.
I give up on trying to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Mine would just be filled with coal.
Hearing movement outside my door, I hold my breath so as not to make any noise to give away my tears.
Thank goodness my back is to the door, as it opens very slowly, and the light from the hallway creeps in. I can feel Ghost behind me, and without understanding why, the tears that have been streaming down my face slow, and a feeling of warmth falls upon me.
Assuming I’m already asleep, the light starts to dim again as he begins closing the door. The whisper from his lips is so quiet I almost don't hear it, but the still of the night around us gives me just enough to catch the words.
“Good night, bright eyes, you’re safe with me.”
His words and the name send shivers down my spine.
As much as I’ve sworn off men forever, for some reason deep down, I believe him.
To be honest, I don’t really have a choice.
I just hope he won’t be the next one in line to let me down and leave me a mess all over again.
As the door clicks shut and the footsteps walk away, I whisper the one word that I was holding in.
“Promise?”
ChapterSix
GHOST
I've spent the last few hours pacing the grounds outside, checking all the cameras and for any traces of movement. I know I’m going overboard, but I can’t sit in that house while I know Cassie is in there crying. Hopefully now she is finally sleeping and resting her weary head. I know I shouldn’t call her that, but to me, that’s who she is.
The emotions that are pouring out of Cassie are pissing me off.
It’s not her fault, but just watching the anguish, anxiety, and pure rage that is lying under the surface within her makes me want to find that asshole and kill him myself with my bare hands.
I have never felt so invested in a case as I am right now. In all the years I have been doing this job, sure, I’ve felt sorry for my clients and even gotten attached to them as friends in a way. But nothing like this. Not to the point that I want to hurt someone because of what they have done to my client.
Yes, client! You need to remember that, you idiot.This needs to stop, and I’ve got to put a lid on it.
Work, that’s what I need to do. Distraction is the best way to handle this.
I wish there were a way that I only had to stay here with her for a few days until she is settled in, and we'll see how the senator reacts to her being missing. To distance myself from the hole I’m digging myself with being attracted to her. But deep down, no matter what I try to tell myself, I know I could never leave her here on her own. I can’t. There is something pulling me to her that is not going to stop, no matter what I try to do.
I’ve seen this type of thing go bad on the job, and I don’t want to be the one left a shell of a man likehewas a few years ago. I need to remind myself of what happened to him.
Focus.
