The Ink That Haunts Us

Chapter Twenty

The feeling of being trapped was so strong it made me feel powerless. The weight of it was suffocating and had my nerves on end. The suspense was killing me, and it made me want to do something reckless and stupid. I had to get out of here before Declan could get his hands on me. He was my own personal boogeyman and I had no doubt that he wouldn't stop until he had me back.

I should have left a long time ago. Staying here so long was foolish. As soon as I received the note, I should have left. It freaked me out that I hadn't heard from nor seen Declan since that day outside the shop. Something big was coming and it was going to knock me sideways. I should get out now before he makes his move.

    "Saw?" Freya called, putting a hand on my shoulder to stop my pacing. "You need to calm down."

    "Calm down? I can't calm down, Freya. It's been four weeks since Declan caught me on the sidewalk. Four weeks and not a single word or sighting. Nothing." I continued my pacing, shaking my head. "He's up to something, I know it. He's out there planning and waiting. I can't stick around and let him get me, Freya. I have to go." I turned panicked eyes on her.

    "Babe, maybe he's left. Maybe he has realized there is no chance he could get to you. We've kept a careful watch over you. You've been spending a lot of time with Derek, and Derek is a scary dude. Declan must realize he has zero chance." She didn't get it. She didn't know Declan like I did. None of them understood.

    "You don't understand. He wouldn't give up this easily. That's not like him. I can't stay here anymore, Freya. I have t  go." Grabbing for my purse, I crammed a few things inside.

    She opened her mouth, but before she could speak Derek stepped into the room.

    "You're not fucking leaving," he growled, angrily. The look in his eyes should have frightened me, but I barely gave him a glance. "We've talked about this, Tink. You are safest here with me. You have to know that." I didn't know that. Nowhere was safe. Not when this world had Declan Williams in it. As long as he was after me, I would never be safe.

    "You don't understand. You couldn't and once you do, it will be too late," I warned.

    "Why don't we go out tonight, hmm?" Derek reached out, pulling me into his arms to halt my pacing. "You could come with me to my fight, then we can go out afterward. You haven't let me take you on a proper date yet, and it's about time, yeah?" We hadn't made our relationship official nor had we told anyone that we were more than just friends.

    "That sounds like a fantastic plan!" Freya chimed in. To me, it didn't sound like a great plan at all. "You've been cooped up for too long. It's time you get back out there."

    My first reaction was to say no. The word was on the tip of my tongue, but I knew if I said it, it wouldn't matter. They wouldn't allow me to opt out this time. Freya had been on my case for the last week about letting Derek take me out. I acted like it was because I wasn't ready, but really I was too scared. Whether they believed it or not, I knew Declan was out there watching and I was terrified he would see me and Derek together. There was no telling what he would do.

    Going to Derek's fight may be the safest place to go. The chances of Declan finding his way into one of Derek's fights were very unlikely. They were very exclusive. You had to know people to be invited. It was underground and sketchy as hell. Declan would never associate with the dregs of Denver.

"Fine," I sighed. " I'll go." If I was lucky I would be able to talk Derek into going home afterward.

"That's my girl," Derek smiled before kissing me on the forehead. He gave me one last long look before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him. I slumped into my chair hanging my head.