Dark Nights and City Lights *Simon Minter*

Chapter 23

Elise's POV

I shot up from my bed panicking, if I closed my eyes I could still see Jordan's eyes begging me to spare his life although it wasn't my decision, my heart ached from how real it felt. I looked to my side to see Simon wasn't there, I was all alone. 

The door flung open as Simon stormed into the room with worry on his face. He wrapped his arms around me cradling my head in his chest. "Elise what happened?" he spoke softly trying to calm me down, he pulled away looking at my tear stained face wiping away most of the tears. "I had a nightmare, but it had already happened. It was about the night I first killed someone." I sobbed dropping my head into my hands. 

"What was so bad about it? We've killed so many people, the first is normally the most fun." Simon questioned giving a low laugh at his last comment, he turned serious again seeing it made me feel no better. "I didn't want to kill him." I whispered lifting my head up from my hands, "He died because of my mistake. I didn't know how jealous Cal would really get, I didn't think Cal wanted me all to himself, I knew him for a month." Simon rubbed my back pulling me close to him again. 

"It's okay it's just a memory, it will fade one day." He pulled her close kissing her forehead rubbing her back comfortingly. "Where did you go?" I looked up at him, Simon let out a smile and a little low laugh, "I was making some breakfast, and Jorja woke up to the smell." He laughed a little louder, "I turned around and she was aiming her pistol at me, we were talking when I heard you crying so I ran up stairs." I climbed out of the bed and followed Simon down to the kitchen.

"Smells good." I smiled inhaling the scent of pancakes, "Did you cook them yourself?" I giggled seeing Jorja leaving the room with a plate steam emitting from the almost perfectly rounded pancakes. 

...

"Simon? How did you find out?" I asked him quietly afraid I was starting something I didn't mean to, he looked down staring at the half eaten food on his plate. He didn't say anything he only pulled out his phone unlocking it and sliding it across the island counter in front of me. My eyebrows furrowed as I scrolled up to the top of the conversation labelled 'Unknown' . I opened the first picture image, "Who the fuck sent this?" I growled reading through the messages and scanning through the continuous photos. 

"I honestly don't know but my only guess is Cal, he's the one in the photos right?" Simon questioned, I guess maybe it hurt him less knowing it wasn't some random guy, I nodded my head locking his phone then sliding it back across the counter, dropping my head into my hands. "I didn't know he had photos." I sighed feeling used by Cal, "I don't see why you forgave me, Simon." I looked up at him, my hair covering most of my face. 

"Elise, I loved you before it happened and I still loved you after, that's why I forgave you." he smiled leaning across the counter so his face was now inches away from mine, his actions caused a smile and a little laugh to escape my lips. "Your an idiot you know that?" I giggled and Simon pressed his lips against mine.

"How are the stitches?" Jorja asked leaning against the door frame of the kitchen, she walked over to the kitchen counter hopping up on to the side, her hair bounced as she did so. "Fine, what jobs are we gonna do then?" I asked parting from Simon's lips as much as I didn't want to, Jorja thought for a moment looking at her feet that dangled down the cupboard, "You're not driving if your thinking we're doing a job. Nice try tiger." she giggled folding her arms, she was standing her ground, I thought a moment about what we could do, we needed to work.

Simon spoke up still leaning over the counter, "Why don't I drive? I'm guessing your bringing the cars back here anyway." Simon looked up at Jorja, who's arms were now relaxed thinking about his offer, coming to life she jumped off the counter walking out of the room. "Better get ready then." she sang walking up the stairs, Simon stared at the door before looking back at me, "The things I do for you." he joked pushing himself back up. I raised my eyebrows twice, pressing the fork in my hand against my cheeky smile. 

A few minutes later Jorja trotted down the stairs, she pulled on a pair of back Nikes standing by the door waiting for Simon, he stood up from his seat walking towards the door where the pair left the house quietly. 

The house was silent.