Chapter 18

“Where are we going?” I asked, a bit nervous as we passed the sign heading out of Las Vegas.

The drive was long, and the sun began to set. The air cooled down as it always did on desert nights. Without the neon lights around us, there was very little to guide the way down the long stretches of desert road.

I could only trust that Peter knew where he was going. Darkness surrounded us as we drove, the city’s lights fading into the distance behind us.

“Damon has a house not far from the city. He wanted you to stay there,” Peter said, gently. “Sorry about all this. I don’t want you to think I’m kidnapping you or something.”

“I didn’t, Peter,” I told him, my alarm growing, “until you said that.”

“Oops,” he chuckled. “My bad.” He tried to smile at me in the rearview mirror but my mind was racing.

I tried to calm my nerves throughout the drive. Honestly, I didn’t see why I had to live anywhere but in my own apartment.

Sure, it wasn’t the most comfortable since you had to take showers in cold water because the heater was broken and my neighbor liked to slip his “samples” under everyone’s doors but…

You know what, never mind. My apartment was a hole, but it was mine. I didn’t know how I felt about staying at Damon’s house.

I leaned my head against the car window, gazing through the tinted darkness. Above, I could see the stars so clearly. Like tiny twinkling diamonds in the sky.

I’d never seen so many before. I could count on my hand the number of times I’d left the city but it was nice to be able to see the stars. Eventually, my eyes shut as I dozed off, the coolness of the glass soothing me.

“We’re here!” Peter said excitedly.

I jerked awake at Peter’s claim, feeling like I’d only slept for a minute. The car pulled up to a large metal gate, a twenty-foot fence surrounding whatever was behind it.

Chapter 18

If I knew Damon, it was probably electrified or something. Anything to keep his life private.

A security guard dressed in black approached us with an unfriendly look.

Peter rolled down both of our windows and the unknown man’s eyes locked onto me before turning to look at Peter.

“Hey, Joe!” Peter greeted him like they were old friends.

Joe only grunted, that scowl still on his face.

“This is Adelaide. She’s the wife I was telling you about. You know, that one,” Peter hinted, not subtle at all. I would have to ask Damon what he’d been telling people about me.

Joe’s eyes looked at me, and he grunted again. I was beginning to think that was all he did.

“I know! Can you believe Damon of all people got married?” Peter laughed. “Anyway, Damon wanted her to live here for the time being, so you should be seeing her come and go as she pleases. Damon’s words, not mine.”

come and go as I pleased. So,

then turned his back

to open

talk to him sometime, he has some wild stories,” Peter told me as we drove inside.

him, incredulously. Was he messing with me or just insane?

and I forgot all about Peter or Joe. I stared open-mouthed

It was huge.

had to be

was full of sloped

Chapter 18

walls around the desert-like gardens and

stared at the building wide-eyed as we drove around the garden platforms to the

a massive swimming pool behind the house-in the middle of

to build, actually,” Peter shrugged, nonchalantly. “Damon’s designs are

mean he designed this?” I gasped

course,” Peter said and

bags over his shoulder like they were nothing, simply walking

there if you need me. Mrs. Rivas can whip up anything you’d like for

“Peter!”

with dark brown skin appeared over the second. floor out of nowhere, a stern look on her face. She was a plump woman in a messy apron and had a very strong Spanish

ashamedly, grabbing both

a fierce hug, and I was afraid my ribs would break from the force as she suffocated me. “You are Damon’s amor. I am so happy you are

Rivas’

let me go, I sucked in a massive breath, trying to grin at her

Chapter 18

little Spanish, but I knew what amor was.

come, I’ll whip up something riquisimo for you!” Mrs. Rivas said as she kissed both of my cheeks and then my forehead. “Ah, you are too skinny. Double portions for

as I could. “But I’m a bit tired if

no problem. Of course, you are. There’s always breakfast. My finest omelet for you. I’ll have Rosie

Rivas practically screamed out

youthful voice called out, someone rushing from upstairs. Another woman appeared from

hear her

called out with

out of high school, still bright, and her eyes shined with hope. She had smudges

her room,” Mrs. Rivas

Follow me, Miss Adelaide.”

my name right. Rosie chattered to me about the house and how it was built as she took me to my room. The house was much bigger than I thought it was

and gestured to

in the morning, Miss Adelaide,” Rosie grinned, then she

was gone before I entered the room and realized that

It was Damon’s.

corner was piled to the top with papers and pencils, and charcoal drawings

Chapter 18

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