Page 86 of Trick
Jase carried me to bed after I fell asleep on the couch, and I woke to find him wrapped around me. I reveled in the sensation of being close and snuggled deeper into his embrace.
“Morning, darlin’,” he mumbled sleepily.
“Good morning. I love waking up like this,” I said happily.
“I love it, too, almost as much as I love you,” he responded, then brushed my hair aside to kiss my cheek.
I giggled at his sappy reply, then told him I loved him, too.
We cuddle for a little longer before Elvis made it clear that it was breakfast time and he was tired of waiting on his servants to feed him.
Jase made me an omelet filled with cheesy goodness, and I told him how lucky I was to find the perfect man.
“You’re sweet and sexy, and you’re agreatcook.”
“Don’t forget about my big dick, darlin’,” was his outrageous response as he gave me a wink.
“I could never forget about that,” I assured him, giving him a wink of my own.
We went to visit Uncle Bill in the afternoon, and I was happy to see Tony as well. Both men fussed over me, and my uncle questioned me on every little thing the doctor had said.
“That doctor is sure you’re gonna be fine? She doesn’t need to run any more fuckin’ tests or nothin’?”
“Yes, she’s sure. Jase was there, and he heard her say it, too.” I told him. He looked at me closely, then flicked his gaze toward Jase. He slowly nodded, seemingly satisfied for the moment.
Jase changed the subject, asking King if he’d heard anything more from Abby’s dad.
“He stopped by this morning on his way home from the station. He and his partner pulled another all-nighter, trying to piece everything together. It’s not pretty,” he warned.
Chapter 27
Trick/Jase
Prez heaved a sigh, his expression grim. Ella rubbed his shoulder, looking like she was on the verge of tears. Viking and Tony just looked pissed off.
“Late last night, the guard took off the handcuffs to let Darnell take a piss. He shattered the bathroom mirror and tried to slit his wrists with a jagged piece of it. The guard heard the commotion and rushed in. Managed to stop him and call for help. He’s gonna be OK, but they had to sedate him. ”
I reached for Lauren, knowing she was going to start crying any second. She had her hand pressed to her mouth in horror, and she’d gone deathly pale. I tugged her into my arms and held her as he continued the explanation.
“The psychiatrist’s theory is that Darnell suffered a psychotic break years ago when he killed Nadia, then his subconscious blocked it from his mind. Then, for whatever reason, his memories started returning recently and the delusions started. He became obsessed with Lauren and thought she was his dead girlfriend, or maybe that his girlfriend hadn’t really died that night and come back to him. They aren’t fuckin’ sure of anything at this point, except that once he was lucid and realized everything he was done, the guilt was just too much, and he tried to end it all. They’re keeping him on suicide watch in the psych unit for now.”
“Oh God, Jase,” Lauren cried, burying her face in my neck. I rested my cheek on the top of her head as I rubbed her hand over her hair, trying to soothe her. I looked up and saw Viking staring at us with a worried look on his face.
Prez glanced up at his wife then tugged her onto his lap and hugged her close.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” Lauren said softly, taking the box of tissues that Tony handed to her. “He told the receptionist that he’d run into his old girlfriend from school. I thought it was sweet that he was hoping to get back together with her. We used to talk about his plans with ‘his girl’. That’s what he called her,” she sniffled, wiping her tears.
“He never once acted like he was talking about me, or that he though we were the same person,” she finished softly.
Prez shook his head. “Randy showed me Nadia’s yearbook photo. She had blonde hair and blue eyes. Pretty girl, but she looked nothing like you. I don’t understand it either, sweetheart.”
Viking spoke up then. “He’s crazy, girlie. Whatever twisted shit was goin’ on in his mind will probably never make a damned bit of sense to anyone but him,” he said gruffly.
We stayed for a while longer, until I told Lauren that I thought she needed to rest. The fact that she didn’t object told me I was right.
Ella and King walked out with us, and Viking yanked on my arm as I passed by him on the way to the door. I stopped, and he pushed himself to his feet to look me in the eye.
“I heard her callin’ you by your government name, and I know what that that fuckin’ means,” he stated, narrowing his eyes at me. “That girl deserves a good man, and I guess you’lldo,” he said gruffly. I knew that was as close to a compliment as I’d ever receive from the crusty old bastard.
