Page 57 of Hiding In the Dark (The Righteous 4)
“Sometimes I could really….”
Ashley cut Kes off before he began threatening Trevor. “We would love to come. What time would you like us to arrive, and is there anything we can bring?” she asked, and then had to bite her tongue to stop from laughing as Kes’s exasperated expression turned in her direction. He kept waving his hands like he was trying to tell her ‘no,’ but she had this sudden urge to meet someone that obviously knew him before he came back into her life.
She had a lot of unanswered questions. Ones like…how does someone homeless own an expensive Hummer, and what exactly did Zumi mean by he protects those like her? She had a feeling that at this dinner she might just get the answers she was after because Kes was guarded and had already danced around a couple of her questions regarding his past.
“Well now, it’s settled. I will see the three of you tomorrow around six o’clock. There is nothing for you to bring, my dear, but I appreciate the offer. Besides you’re brining Kes. I’m sure he would’ve avoided the meal altogether, let alone offer to bring something.”
Kes laid his forehead on the steering wheel as he whispered a blue streak that once more made Ashley want to smirk.
“I’m Ashley, by the way, and we’ll see you tomorrow at six. Thank you so much for the invitation. We didn’t have any plans, so this will be really nice.”
“Excellent, I look forward to it, Ashley. Have a good evening, Kes, and don’t think I don’t hear you swearing.” Kes lifted his head, his lips pursing like he was gearing himself up for a meltdown. “Maybe with Ashley’s delightful presence, you’ll finally learn that a cave is not the best place to dwell. I like her.” The line went dead before Kes could say another word.
His glare found her, and instead of being scared, she laughed until her sides hurt and tears were blurring her vision. Whoever this Trev was, she already liked him. Anyone that could get under Kes’s skin so thoroughly needed a freakin medal.
Trev stared at the large table with the ten table settings and couldn’t keep the smile off his face. This was not something he’d allowed himself to dream about for a long time, but J.J. squealed as he ran past, closely followed by Simone, who was demanding that he give her phone back, and his heart warmed.
Trev’s life had gone from orderly to chaotic, but it was a different kind of perfect. As J.J. went by once more, he snatched the adorable thief up who let out a loud screech like he was a miniature pterodactyl.
“Hi, Uncle Trev,” he said in the cutest voice possible, his big brown eyes begging to be let free to cause more havoc.
Simone came to a panting halt and bent over as she rested her hands on the pretty red dress she was wearing. “He took my phone,” she gasped.
“No, I…” J.J. started, but Trev gave him a hard stare, and J.J. sighed, giving up the lie as he held out the phone.
“Say you’re sorry, J.J.,” Trev prompted softly.
“It was only for fun. I wouldn’t hurt it,” he pouted, his bottom lip sticking out.
“That’s not the point. The phone is not yours to take, and Simone has pictures of her and her father on there. If something accidentally happened, how do you think that would make her feel?”
He watched as J.J. pondered his question. “She would be sad.”
“Do we want to make her sad?”
J.J. shook his head enthusiastically back and forth just as the doorbell rang. He placed J.J. on his feet but stared at him until he crossed his arms and sighed.
“Fiiiine. I’m sorry, Simone.”
He left the two kids to finish sorting out their issues so he could answer the door. He opened the door, and for the first time since they served together, Kes was not wearing something that looked like it was pulled out of a dumpster.
Kes’s hand was protectively wrapped around who he presumed was Ashley, and a dark-haired girl with large doe-like eyes peeked out from behind Kes. At first glance, anyone would’ve said they made an adorable family. That was, until you took in the scowl that was on Kes’s face.
“Welcome, I’m Trev. You must be Ashley.” He held out his hand for Ashley to shake, and her smile was sweet as she returned the gesture. She gave off a vibe of warmth and tranquility, and he suddenly understood why Kes was drawn to this woman. For as long as Trev had known Kes, his soul had been a turbulent sea that was always at odds with itself. This woman was like a lighthouse in a storm and the perfect fit to tame the waters.
“Yes, I am. I’m Kes’s….” She paused and looked to Kes, and her mouth fell open as if the right words were lost to her.
“Ashley is my girlfriend,” Kes filled in, raising Trev’s eyebrows with the firm proclamation.
Ashley seemed equally shocked by the announcement but hid it and recovered quickly. “The pleasure is mine. It’s nice to finally meet a friend of Kes’s.”
“Likewise.” Kes had always been more of a loner and was definitely not the type to place a label on anyone. If he called you friend, brother, or girlfriend, it was the equivalent of saying ‘this person is mine and fuck off.’ This meant Ashley was important, and Trev was more intrigued than ever to learn more about the woman that managed to lasso the flighty Kes.
He turned his attention to the young girl that looked to be around Simone’s age despite her petite size. “You must be Zumi.”
The young girl looked up to Kes and he nodded, indicating it was safe to speak. Quite the interesting dynamic indeed.
“Yes, I am.” The girl held out her hand for him, and he made sure to give her as firm a handshake as she offered.
