Dark Velvet (Book 2)

Lingering Shadows

Layla walked quietly into Ronnie's hospital room, her heart catching at the sight of him—pale, frail, but alive. The rhythmic beeping of machines was steady, and for the first time in a while, she felt a glimmer of hope. She pulled a chair close to his bed, taking his hand gently in hers. Hey, I'm here," she said softly, brushing her thumb over his hand. "I'm sorry I couldn't come by sooner. Things... things have been all over the place. But I'm here now. And I've been thinking about you, hoping for you to get better. I just want to see you come back to yourself, you know?"

Ronnie blinked slowly, seeming to process her words before nodding, just a slight tilt of his head. His lips moved, and he let out a breath, his voice barely a whisper. "Saw... someone."

Layla leaned in closer, brow furrowing. "You saw someone? Like your dad?"

Ronnie's gaze drifted, unfocused, as he seemed to search for the right words. "Man... dark... in here..." His voice trailed off, the effort of speaking seeming to wear him down.

Layla frowned, trying to piece together what he was saying. "A man? Someone came to visit you?"

He nodded faintly, his eyes closing briefly as if drained by the memory. She squeezed his hand, feeling a chill creep up her spine. She tried to push it aside, telling herself it was just his weakened state. He's probably talking about his dad, she reassured herself, though something in his tone lingered with her.

"Alright, you just rest now," she whispered, brushing a stray hair from his forehead. "Get your strength up. I'll be back soon."

As she sat there, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was trying to tell her something—something important, something just out of reach. She leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead before standing up, casting one last look over her shoulder before quietly slipping out of the room.

Layla stepped into the hallway, feeling the familiar ache of hospital fatigue settle over her. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to center herself, when a swift movement caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. She turned slightly, catching a fleeting glimpse of a man's figure, moving quickly down the corridor, almost as if in a rush. She squinted, trying to make him out, but he was already gone, disappearing around a corner.

She shrugged it off. It's a hospital, she thought, letting her mind rationalize it. People are coming and going, checking on their loved ones. But a lingering thought stuck with her, like a shadow trailing behind. Something about that figure felt...familiar.

Deciding she needed a change of atmosphere, Layla left the hospital, slipping back into the city's rhythm. Her mind drifted to Kaelen. Maybe some time with him could bring her back down to earth, let her forget the hospital's weight, at least for a little while. A glass of wine, some quiet time, and maybe a game—anything to pull her away from the heavy thoughts that had been clouding her mind all day.

On her way to Kaelen's place, she stopped by the store, picking up a bottle of their favorite wine and a board game she knew would keep things light. Just as she was heading toward the register, she felt her phone buzz. It was Kaelen, texting to let her know he'd be home soon and couldn't wait to see her. His message brought a small smile to her face, the comfort she'd been craving finally in reach.

As Layla pulled up to Kaelen's place, she felt the weight of her day begin to ease. She took a moment, sliding her location settings open and selecting "indefinitely" for Jackie and Poma. Normally, she'd set it for just a few hours, but lately, something felt different. With a quick breath, she shut off the thought, grabbed the wine and board game, and headed up.

When Kaelen opened the door, she immediately noticed he looked... off. His jaw was bruised, and there was a subtle cut near his eyebrow, partially hidden by a wisp of hair. He leaned against the doorframe, trying to play it cool, but the slight tension in his stance didn't escape her.