Love Me in the Dark novel Chapter 13

KREW

Yeah, I’m screwing it up. And so far, I have had no luck in unscrewing it. River was right. I ruined her life.

I couldn’t let her go when that asshole was still at large. I needed to make things right with her. I needed to see the sparkles in her eyes just like the first time I met her. But I was running out of options.

I stayed in my office, working the whole day when finally, maybe there was some good news. The family PI rang me up.

“Any luck?”

“Mr. Witley did this to a young woman back in high school. Unfortunately, that girl died of illness. I think he has unrequited feelings, and Ms. Rouge became his next target. I got an old photo of the girl. They happened to have a resemblance.”

Son of a bitch. I locked my jaw hard not to curse. Now I got it. However they met, it couldn’t be a coincidence. It was well-planned. He must have been stalking River before they went on a date. It was disturbing. Now I got another reason why I should keep River in my home. I saw how she paled, how her lips trembled, how she looked so powerless, and that caused such a strong surge of protectiveness to flood through me.

I steadied myself before I spoke. “Did he appear at River’s apartment?”

“So far, he hasn’t. He went to work every day like nothing’s happened.”

“Then how do we get him caught? I want to stop this, Aeckley.” I scratched my growing stubble. This lunatic had not run out of luck just yet, but he would. I would make sure of that.

“I understand your frustration, Mr. Selik.”

“I don’t think you do. Find something that we could use against him. If you have to take drastic measures, do it. I’m willing to gamble as long as it won’t be traced back to me.”

“I may have a suggestion.” Now I got his attention.

“I’m listening.”

“You might not gonna like it—”

“Just say it.”

“We’ll use Ms. Rouge as bait.”

“The fuck we will. River just had a nightmare two nights ago, and I can tell that it has something to do with that asshole. I feel it in my bones that she’s terrified. Otherwise, why would she come to me when the last person she should be approaching is me, who destroyed her future? She’s jumpy and paranoid, and then you’re suggesting to use her as bait.”

“Just listen to me first. This isn’t that bad.”

“How is it not bad when putting her in danger?”

“I’m only suggesting. I think it’s best if you both show in public. Like, go out on a date to lure Mr. Witley out.” His idea was appealing, but I couldn’t gamble River’s life. The risk of her getting kidnapped by that psychopath was high. The problem would only get worse instead of ending it.

“It’s not such a bad idea. Besides, Mr. Witley may change his feelings once he sees you both together.”

“May? Then what? He will look for another River lookalike? There could be another way without involving her as a mousetrap, Aeckley. Do something. You couldn’t be working for my father for too long if you’re not good at your job. I’m sorry if I ask too much. I know this is not a part of your job anymore, but please, tell me you can help me.” I had huge respect for him, and he was the one who had been keeping tabs on River over the years.

“If you wanna make this easy and fast, think about it. While you do the act, I will inform the authority. This way, we can catch him in the act.” He had a point, but maybe there was another way to catch him.

“I still feel unease about the idea, but I’ll think about it.”

“Sure, Mr. Selik.”

Time flew fast. I was caught up in work. It was past dinner, and I hadn’t eaten anything. Before I could rise from my seat, my heart jumped up to my throat as the lightning struck the sky, reflecting through the glass window. Darkness, roars of thunder, and the horrifying strikes of lightning frightened me to fucking ass.

I could feel the sweat pouring from my head, and I was still shaking. I could feel the iciness seeping through my skin, creeping into my bones, making me shake further. I couldn’t talk without stuttering, so I bit my bottom lip hard.

Her face vanished.

“Krew, are you there?”

“Yeah. I don’t—” The thunder roared again, startling me. “Fuck!” My chest heaved. “I’m so—” Goddamnit. God! My fingers trembled. Everything shook. I dropped the phone down the floor.

Please, don’t do this to me.

God, please. My shirt was soaking with sweat. I couldn’t breathe.

“Please, don’t leave me here. Don’t leave me alone. I’m scared, please! I’m scared. Please, come back—”

“Krew! Krew!” It was my name. Someone found me. Yes, she finds me. River finds me.

“Krew. Hey, are you okay? Look at me. Krew, look at me.” My exhalation was still heavy as I let my eyes fly open—I met the gaze of the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. “Hey, it’s okay.” Her words were so calming. So I kept my focus on her eyes and voice.

She must have noticed how terrified I was over the phone. She framed my face with her small warm hands, wiping off the sweat dripping from my head, swiping my hair away from my forehead. “You’re not alone. I’m here. It’s okay to be scared of thunder and lightning. Hey, look at me.” She forced me to focus on her eyes. What she didn’t know was I could spend days looking at her blue eyes alone, adoring, losing deeper, and never get tired of them. “Who wouldn’t? It just roared so loud, grumbled, and shook the earth.” She chuckled, a faint smile curved the corner of her mouth.

I just stared at her like a scared cat, while she looked so breathtaking like an angel. She then sat beside me, holding and squeezing my trembling hands. I finally realized that it wasn’t the first thing she found out about me.

“H-how? What else did you figure out?” Despite the chill running through my veins, I felt my cheeks were burning.

“You don’t like to be in the dark. Despite you being a big bad boss, being scared of something doesn’t make you any less of a man. In fact, it’s something that makes you you, flawed, yet you have great qualities, and you should know that you’re far more impeccable than any men I’ve ever met.”