CHAPTER SIX
Tell me the truth
My gaze are still fixed on Dylan, he looks away, I know he is trying to pretend as though what I said hadn't had any effect on him.
There is a bit of silence between us and for some reasons, I'm afraid of what his answer was going to be like. Now, he knows am following him and I wouldn't give up anything soon.
Dylan stiffens.“ Where did you hear that name ?”
I almost laughed at his questions,
“I'm an investigative journalist, Dylan. You know me, I can never leave a mystery unsolved.” I chuckled but he didn't seem to take it lightly.
“So.... I guess you went digging. From our messages I guess.” He spoke precisely and I'm glad he has a current memory.
“That's right!” I smirked.
Dylan closed his eyes. He huffed and opens his mouth but shuts it almost immediately. His eyes are still shut and I wonder if he's praying for patience. Was he angry I was different into his personal life? The thought of that makes me want to whimper but I stood my ground and waited curiously to hear what he has to say.
“You shouldn't have done that, Kenzy." He manages to speak.
"Why exactly? You are my friend and anything that bothers you deserves to be tracked down!" I spat, as Dylan stared at my reactions.
"You don't have to bother about me trust me on this, you want to back off.”
I paused as this word sinks deep into my head. Weren't that the same exact words Hunter had used on me yesterday?
“That's exactly what Hunter said when he called, he told me to back off, or I'd regret it.”
When Dylan's eyes come up again to meet mine, they come angry and I wonder if he is about to scream at me following him.
“He threatened you? Talk to me, Kenzy."
“Don't you dare disappear on me again. Dylan! The last time you were angry, Raymond's home was vandalized. I didn't remember telling you to do that and I don't need you to defend my honor today. All I need is for you to talk to me! Tell me what I'm missing, what happened to you the night you disappeared, tell me what the community you work for is all about? I just need answers to all these questions!"
Dylan didn't seem affected by my questions and stood up to drop an extra box. I'm guessing he won't be saying anything to me again!
“Kenzy, I can't. There are things that are best kept secret and if you eventually find out, you are gonna wish you never heard about it. And it was just a long nightmare.”
His tone brings me up short. He's not brisk or annoyed or even indifferent. His pained whisper makes me want nothing so much than to put my arm around him.
“You can. You can talk to me. Whatever it is. I won't tell anyone. I promise .”
“I know you would never break your word to me.”
“Than tell me,” I urge.
“I can't.. Kenny…, it being so long since I saw you. We've just reconnected. I can't lose you. Not now.”
What can you possibly have to tell me that would make me want to end our friendship?
Have you done something? Dylan, if you have, I'm sure it was an accident. You're a good person .”
“It's not simple. My world...it's dangerous and you wouldn't want to see my face again. Hunter should give you an idea. I don't want to draw you into it. I'm not even supposed to be in contact with you, but I couldn't help myself. Please, don't ask me to tell you .”
I could feel the distress in his face and tone he didn't seem happy talking about this.
At that moment, pressing him when he's already distressed, that just seems too cruel.
“Ok, Dylan. For now, I won't push."
He nods, and with apparent effort, turns to one of the boxes.
He doesn't ask for my promise that I will stop investigating, which is a good thing, because I'm not planning on making that promise. Whatever this secret is, it's hurting my friend, and that is something I can't abide by. Hunter could threaten me all he wants but I'm not giving up, until I find out the truth.
I will find out what's going on.
I help Dylan unpack for hours. Our conversation turned causal. There's a lot to catch up on. I forgot just how much I love talking to Dylan.
We spend the afternoon chatting and unpacking.
When I leave in the early evening. I didn't go back to Hannah's house. I drive around the block then packed at a more sheltered spot, within view of the apartment block. Then I did what I so often have to do in my line of work:I waited.
Most of the time, the out stakeout is like any other stakeout - boring. I don't go completely unrewarded, though. Just as the sun is setting, Dylan and ten other people come down from their apartment to the garden area.
They are talking and laughing together. It looks like they are good friends, but Dylan hasn't been here that long. He must have moved quickly to make friends already.
The odd thing about the interaction is that the whole group treats one member with a certain amount of deference. I guess he must be their leader, though their leader in what? I don't know.
They spent some time doing some barbeque. Most of what I saw wasn't exceptional, apart from one thing I bit at the end.
The leader goes inside and comes out with his arms of heavy chains. He hands those to Dylan, who nods, apparently thanking him.
My breath seems to freeze in my chest when I saw the mannequins at the end of the chains. Those chains are meant to chain up a person.
What is Dylan doing with them?
I glanced around, making sure there is no police officers nearby.
What on earth has Rodgers gotten himself into?
CHAPTER SEVENDinner of one“Come on, Kenzy, we're going to be late!”“I will be out in a moment.”I give up on choosing between dresses, grabbing the nearest one, and pulling it on. I was going to do something with my hair, but I procrastinated too long and it's too late.Hannah is waiting impatiently. "I don't want to be late, we'll make a bad impression.”“You do realize that we're not engaged, right? You are just filling in for Raymond because I can't have them alone. A good impression isn't necessarily. Besides, my family knows you.” I explained over the room.“I know, but I still don't want to give them any more reason to berate you than they have already.”That's true enough. My family is going to be a nightmare.Hannah drives, and all too soon, we're pulling at my mom's driveway. Marcus's car is already here. There are cars parked all along the sides of the streets. My mom always favored big gatherings.She opened the door, her eyes going from me to Hannah. Her mouth pop open
CHAPTER EIGHTA Horrible MistakeShit! She must have heard me screaming Dylan name. I try to come up with a lie but it's not coming forward.“I'm fine. Nothing to worry about!”Apparently, Hannah thinks from my tone that there is something to worry about because she opens the door. I'm all too aware of how flushed and disheveled I must look.“Ever heard of privacy?”“Ever heard a roommate shouting their friend's name like he's saving her from a burning building? Because I just did .”Crap!No way am I willing to confess to Hannah what I just did.“I think you are hearing things. It's probably just that wind.”Hannah's eyes narrow in suspicion.I knew it. She doesn't believe me. Well, she tells Dylan?If she does, I can kiss the dream of remaining friends with him goodbye.“You don't have to lie to him, you know. So you have the hots for Dylan. Fine. It's not like I'm going to tell him”I'm torn between shame and relief. Of course, I don't need to lie to Hannah. I know that. “Promise m
CHAPTER NINEIt's Over!"What did you say?""Nothing." I don't turn around to face Raymond hoping that he'll be overpowered by need and ignore my slip. "Keep going."Come on."Dylan, as in your friend, Dylan? You've left me for that loser?"No! Dylan and I aren't together. It's you I need." I turn around and try to kiss Raymond, but he gets up off the couch.You're going to have to try harder than that if you want me, Kenzy.""Fuck you, then.Without another word, I get up, pull my clothes on and storm off. He's not making me beg again. Never again.I drive back to Hannah's at a reckless speed. I know I should slow down, but I'm so horny I feel like I'm going to explode.It takes all my willpower to keep my hands on the steering wheel and not let one of them slide down to my clit.That doesn't stop me from pressing my legs together.Fuck, I need to come.I rush inside, running to my room and slamming the door behind me.I throw myself onto my bed, yanking my pants down. I reach blindl
CHAPTER TENStalked on All SidesI bit my lips as she asked the heavy questions again."Would he be willing to help you with this?""I don't really feel comfortable asking himthat."Why not? You've known him as long as you've known me. You two are super close. I'm sure he'd do it for you.""Maybe, but you don't know my mom. She wouldn't be satisfied with dating. She won't really leave me alone until I'm married. I'm not going to ask Dylan to marry me."At least, not when it's not real. I couldn't ask that of him, especially given my very real feelings for him.Shut up, Kenzy. You're ignoring those feelings, remember? Dylan is your friend."I suppose that is a bit much to ask. What's going on with you and Luke anyway? You haven't said a word about him in days. Usually, you never shut up about him."I can feel my face going red. "We kind of had a fight."Let me guess. He's not happy that you're still investigating him?""Not at all. Do you think I'm doing the right thing? Should I back
CHAPTER ELEVENAm doing this again.I stare at Dylan with my mouth wide open, I had never seen him this angry before. Although I knew he always stood up for me, I wasn't expecting it to be as intense as he had just done.I set the phone aside and turn over to him with a bright smile."Are you okay?" He asked with curious eyes. I am at the venge of bursting into laughter, but I somehow managed to control myself.Of course I was perfectly fine, it's not like I was physically abused or insulted by Raymond. I still try keep my face in a frown. Pretending to be sad but deep down, I was screaming with excitement.I knew I was taking this too personal but seriously, I didn't care at the moment."I am fine." I said, sober."That rascal, I will grind his bone and feed them to the birds of the earth!" His eyes turn strangely dark and I am left amazed that he is able to do that.I shoved off the shock, placing my hand on his as I speak gently."Dylan, I admire the chivalry, but you can't just t
CHAPTER TWELVEI'd Do AnythingI check my watch. Ten minutes until I meet Dylan.Weeks have passed since I barely escaped getting caught masturbating in the restaurant bathroom. I had to do a bit of quick talking, but I've gotten out of tighter spots before when following a story.Hannah is lying on the couch, reading. It's a Saturday, which means Dylan and I will get to spend the whole afternoon together.As I head for the door, my phone rings. It's an unknown number. I grimace."Chuck it over." Hannah catches the phone. We've developed a system for this."Hello? Hi, Raymond. No, Kenzy isn't here right now. Goodbye."Hannah hangs upon him in the middle of a sentence.Thanks." I take my phone back. "Who's holding the current record?""Raymond, but only by two. Your mom is coming in a close second." I roll my eyes.Those two refuse to leave me alone."I need to go. I'm meeting Dylan.""Enjoy." Hannah winks at me. She knows all about my fantasies about Dylan, but she never brings them u
CHAPTER THIRTEENAnnouncementI can't make out the words, but I can hear angry voices. As I listen, my fear starts to subside, to be replaced with indignation. I'm just about to throw the blanket aside when Dylan returns.He looks pissed, but his expression softens when he sees me. "Sorry about that. Just a concerned neighbor.At any other time, I wouldn't let an encounter go without question, but I have more urgent matters on my mind right now.I grab Dylan's arm, pulling him back where he was, on top of me."I need you," I breathe in his ear, taking the opportunity to nibble on my earlobe.Dylan throws aside the gown he'd hastily put on to talk to his neighbor. His cock is still going strong. I reach for it, running my hand down its length.It feels so soft compared to the rest of him. I give it a squeeze, pleased by how he strains up into my grip."Now, Dylan."I lay back on the blanket, spreading my legs. Dylan kisses me as he moves between my legs once more. I grab his waist, imp
CHAPTER FOURTEENFull MoonI lie on the couch with my head on Dylan's lap. I feel like I could lie here forever. It makes me uneasy.Dylan and I have agreed to be friends with benefits, but ever since we talked about it, I haven't allowed myself to so much as kiss him.I know I'm being stupid, but I can't quite get over what happened the last time I trusted a guy. Raymond broke my heart, and it still hasn't healed.Dylan and I aren't a couple, but I can't help worrying that having sex with him again will just make me even more attached. Then what will I do if he betrays me as Raymond did? I don't know if my heart can take that.Dylan will probably just think I'm silly, or be offended that I don't trust him.Dylan is a completely different man to Raymond. Expecting him to make Raymond''s mistakes is just stupid. I shouldn't have a problem trusting him because of what happened in my previous engagement.My broken heart doesn't seem to agree. So far, the fear of being burned again has ov