Shadows of the Past (11 page)

Shit, she’s not mine. Not yet anyway.

Guilt was not an emotion he was used to. Now he was wallowing in it, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. Something diabolical had found its way into his town, and he needed answers.

Focusing on the case, he stepped into Stacey’s private room.
He found Simons in a chair next to the bed. His head was bent over his wife as tears fell down his face. Her tiny hand was enveloped in both of his large ones.

“
Has she been awake?” Hayden asked from the door.

Simons
looked up. His voice was hoarse. “Only for a minute. She kept apologizing.” Stress lines creased his damp face. “Said she wasn’t herself, didn’t realize what she was doing. She begged me to forgive her, to not hate her. How can I hate her? I love her so damned much. I just want her whole so I can tell her.” He sobbed.

Seeing Simons like th
at was worse than seeing Simons’ beast snarling through the surface after he found Stacey with another man.

Hayden
didn’t know what to say. The whole situation was fucked up, but he wondered what she meant about not being herself?

He could feel the presence of something dark
, like it was lurking, just out of sight. Was it possible that she really hadn’t known what she was doing? A chill traveled down his spine.

“How are you holding up?” Okay, that was a stupid question, but he didn’t have a better one at the moment so he didn’t take it back.

“Torn apart. I would do anything to fix this, anything at all. I love her with all my heart. I just need to make this right,” Simons pleaded.

Hayden knew he wouldn’t be so quick to forgive if their positions were switched.
Love was a funny thing. It could drive such strong emotions, from rage to forgiveness. It was something Hayden had never experienced and he wasn’t sure how Simons could move past Stacey’s betrayal.

The right words eluded him, and Hayden offered the only sentiment he could.
“You will. Just be there for her when she wakes up. Take the time you need. When you’re ready to come back to work let me know, but I won’t make you leave her side.”

“Thank you, Hayden. Really, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Just let me know if she wakes up and is coherent enough for a conversation because I do have some questions. I want to get to the bottom of this accident.”

“I will.”
Simons wiped the tears from his face and looked back down at his wife.

Hayden stepped into the hall and pulled out his phone. He needed to talk to Mathis
and Paavo now.

* * * *

Ten dollars in the jukebox, and Amethyst had picked some of her favorite songs by P!nk, Florence + the Machine, and Halestorm. Drumming Song was already playing and I Get Off was the last one she chose, and all because she couldn’t get that swim out of her head.

Danika snickered.
“Still have him on your mind, I see.”

She shrugged one shoulder
. “Yeah, but I’m not going there. He’s like twenty times my age, and three times my size. Besides, I’m not interested in anyone.”

“Liar.”

Twining her fingers through the ends of her hair, she stared up at Danika with a sheepish smile. “So he’s yummy, but I don’t need that. I’m fasting, and he’s like my favorite meal with the most scrumptious dessert I can imagine, so I have to stay away. Far, far away. At least for now, until what I just went through doesn’t hurt so much.”

Danika laughed out loud.
“Yeah, good luck with that, short-stuff. You want him and he’s all you’ve been thinking about all night.”

“Who says he wants me?” She still wasn’t sure he did. He might be tempted but he hadn’t made a single move, and he
hadn’t bothered to tell anyone why he didn’t make it to the bar. Maybe he wasn’t interested after all.

“He does. Trust me.”

“I don’t know, Dani. He hasn’t said anything to make me think he is.” Self-conscious wasn’t her normal mode, but the way he claimed just friends status made her doubt herself.

“
You were still rattled last night when you showed up. He’s probably giving you time to adjust.”

“Maybe.
Or maybe he just likes what he sees, and doesn’t want the hassle of a woman.” Amethyst dropped her gaze and sighed.

“He wants you, and
I have a feeling he gets what he wants.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready,” she answered softly.

“Perhaps you just need a new flavor to wipe out the old.” Danika winked and strode away.

That idea had merit. Maybe she needed to lead. She just prayed it wouldn’t be a repeat of the one time she went after what she wanted instead of waiting.

Wait, am I really contemplating chasing Sheriff Eyeball already? Yes, yes I am.

With the decision made,
Amethyst turned to go to the bar for another drink. Maybe a little inebriation would loosen her up for a dance.

A little flirting would go a long way to cheer her up.
It had been too long since she let the music sweep her away as she pressed close to a strong man. Since Carl she hadn’t bothered to tap into anyone’s lust until Hayden earlier that day. Maybe that was the pick me up she needed.

“Hey, sweet thing, want a dance?” That voice was so fa
miliar, and yet it was dark and wrong somehow. She couldn’t quite place it.

Amethyst turned to face the owner of the creepy drawl and came face to face with a skater boy. He was
only six or so inches taller than her and sort of wiry, but there was menace in his posture, violence promised in his gaze. A sense of déjà vu washed over her.

“No thanks
.” She fought not to shudder, but he was seriously creeping her out. “Not interested.”

“Too bad
.” He moved into her path and reached for her.

Amethyst took a quick step back and Clint stepped up beside her.
“This creep bothering you, gem?”

She almost laughed at the endearment, but Clint didn
’t come off as sleazy, just sort of protective. “Yeah, he’s not taking a hint.” She glared back at the stranger. “I am not dancing with you. So get out of my face.”

Skater
boy took another step toward her, and Clint moved in front of her to place a hand on the kid’s chest. “The lady said no, so you need to take a step back and leave her the hell alone. I guarantee you don’t want to mess with me or any of the rest of her friends. So back off already.”

The kid glared at her
. “We aren’t done,” he warned but walked away, down the hall and disappeared into the shadows. It was like the shadows wrapped around him, whisking Zack away.

That sent a chill down her spine. She shook it off and turned to Clint with a genuine smile.
“Thank you.”

His face lit up.
“So, what do you want to drink?”

“After that, I owe you
one.”

“I promised
you a drink this afternoon, but I’ll take a dance later, if you’re up for it.”

She grinned.
“You’re on. You can get me a Cherry Crush.”

“
Why don’t you go sit with Fallon and I’ll bring it to you?” Clint sauntered up to the bar and she went to sit at their table.

* * * *

Around one in the morning, Hayden was finally finished with work, but he was left with a thousand questions. Paavo wasn’t available so he left him a voicemail. The lack of answers pissed him off.

He was disappointed when he didn
’t see Amethyst’s Jeep. His mood only darkened when he stepped inside and she wasn’t there at all. The bar was pretty empty. Clint and Mark were playing pool, and Slater sat at the end of the counter drinking a beer while he talked to his mate and her twin.

Hayden took a seat next to the Alpha.
“Hey, Slater. You know anything about Stacey being in the hospital?”

Slater looked over and shook his head.
“Just that Simons was with me when he got the call. I know he’s been having a rough time, but he’s been at the hospital ever since he heard, and before that he was helping me deal with another problem. Something bad is here. I don’t have a clue what, but it has all of our hackles raised.” Slater leaned back in his seat and looked up at the ceiling. “You find out what that kid Zack is? Or what he’s doing here?”

“Not sure what he is. Only saw him onc
e and just briefly. I had to drag Simons away before he beat the bastard to death. I’ll see if I can’t find him, but he seems to be avoiding me, and doing a damned good job of it.”

Jamie slid a Guinness his way
. “You’re missing her, aren’t you?”

“Who?”
Hayden sighed, knowing exactly who she was referring to.

“Don’t play coy. I know what you’re feeling for her. You think it’s the fae connection, camaraderie, or whatever
. That’s bullshit though, it’s more than that.”

“Who?”
Dacia asked as she slid onto the stool next to him, “Me? You missing me? Because, sexy, I’m all yours, anytime you want me.”

“You’d have to be far, far away for me to miss you, and even then, it would be a relief.”

“Who then? I haven’t seen you look at anyone, ever.” She pouted. “Not even me, and I know I’m beautiful.”

“Looks aren’t everything. You’re cold, and obsessive.
Bad combination.” Crazy too, but he knew he shouldn’t mention that to her. Hayden sipped his beer, thinking about just leaving. Besides, he liked more curves on women than the air fae who was built more like a model in need of a few good meals.

“Please tell me it’s not that little girl you brought in last night, the one with the weird ass purple hair and big violet eyes. She’s all pierced and just skanky
. Somehow, she still manages to look innocent. It’s so fucking fake.”

“Skanky?”
Hayden shot a glance at her dress which left little to the imagination, “That is skanky, Amethyst wore loose pants and her cleavage was covered. So how was that skanky?”

“She just oozed sexuality with all that long flowing hair,
and her coy little glances at you. The way she smiled every time she looked your way, like she couldn’t quite help herself, but she was trying to fight it. She’s all fraught with sexual tension, and it’s so juvenile. And tonight she wore a cute little skirt and sweater to accentuate her figure.”

Actually, he kind of liked
that she was a little timid. He really liked her pissy little attitude when she was annoyed. Or when she was naked and swimming, when she thought no one was looking.

Dacia cleared her throat, and when he looked her eyes were narrowed at him.

He groaned. “What is your point?”

Her eyes flashed and her nostrils flared. “You do want her,” she accused. “You fucking want
her
,” she practically screamed.

Hayden’s eyes
lasered in on her and he snarled, “I almost understand your bullshit attitude about Fallon when she first showed up, but Brody was stupid enough to sleep with you once. I don’t get you freaking out over me possibly noticing anyone when I haven’t given you any reason to get
your
hopes up.”

“We’re the same, Hayden. We are both fae.”

“No, oh no, we are not the same. Take your shitty attitude and leave me alone.”

“Whatever.
” She didn’t shut up though. “It’s funny. She seems interested in that freak, Clint. He came to her rescue when skater boy tried to come on to her and got snippy when she turned him down. Later she danced with Clint, all nice and close.” Dacia smirked before she turned to walk away. She called back, “Plus, I don’t think she could handle you on her best day.”

Hayden slammed back in his stool and bared his teeth.

“See, you are missing Amethyst.” Jamie grinned.

He scrubbed a hand over his face.
“That obvious?”

She nodded,
“Don’t worry. She was missing you while she was here. Every time anyone mentioned your name, she moped just a bit.”

“If you want to sneak in under her radar, which is what I recommend,” Jess winked, “
bring her lunch tomorrow. She loves sushi, pretty much any kind. Don’t forget dessert. Just make sure it’s something sweet, especially if it’s fruity. She loves sweet things.”

“She’s made it clear she isn’t ready for anyone. So I’m not chasing.”

“Uh huh.” Slater chuckled.

He huffed
. “It’s not like that. We’re both fae, and she reminds me of home. She is a sweet girl, I just like being around her.” That sounded lame to even him.

Jess grinned
. “Sure, and that’s how it starts, but I guarantee it’s not where it stops.”

“You do realize that no one likes it when you go all
prophet on them, right?”

Slater
nodded as humor danced in his gray eyes. “She does. Don’t you, love? She just can’t help herself, though.”