✔Vengeful Valentine

Eighteen: Everly

When I got home, I thought I'd puke my guts out.

Last time I got wasted like that, it was New Years and I swore off booze forever. That turned out to be a big fat lie. Hunched over the toilet, I prayed the last chunks of bile had come up. All I wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep it off.

How Kaz held all that alcohol in his little body was beyond me. Maybe it was cause he's part Russian. Who knows? Trying to keep up with him and the guys proved to be a horrible decision on my end.

Alcohol didn't take any of the pain away. It only worsened it. My head and stomach throbbed terribly. I could barely stand on my own two feet. After using some minty mouth wash to get rid of the vomit taste that lingered on my tongue, I changed into some comfy pajamas and curled up in bed alone.

Adam still hadn't come home. His dinner remained in the microwave. I tried texting him, but he never answered. I even called once, but it went to voicemail.

I missed him so much. I just wanted him to hold me close and tell him about my night. While I knew he must be working on an important case, I wished he'd hurry home. Would it be this way whenever we had kids? They'd be fast asleep, probably dozing off after staying up as long as they could for their daddy.

After I'd dozed off for a good thirty or so minutes, the bedroom door creaking open stirred me awake. Sitting up, I rubbed at my tired eyes as Adam crept across the room.

"Sorry, honey. Did I wake you?" Adam asked.

Fighting back a yawn, I replied, "Yeah, but I'd just fallen asleep a few minutes ago. I went out with Emmett, Kaz, and Mal tonight."

"You did?" Adam flipped the light switch on.

Bright light swallowed my vision as I flinched and shielded my eyes. It stung them so badly.

"Mal found Dylan at the Lucky Lady Lounge," I told him. "We spoke to him. Doesn't seem like he's responsible. Emmett threatened him to stay away from me and the old hair salon we deal at."

"I see." Adam wrinkled his nose as he got closer to me. "Have you been drinking?"

"Yeah. It was just to relax," I replied. "You know, after everything that's happened. I put your dinner in the microwave, by the way. If you're hungry. Sorry we couldn't eat together tonight."

"Nah, it's fine. I'm glad you had fun. Hopefully that Dylan guy stays away, otherwise he'll be getting threats from me too," Adam warned. "Maybe you should stop dealing for them for a bit too. Just in case. I don't want you putting yourself in danger."

"Dylan's no big deal," I insisted. "Just a douche-canoe. He won't hurt me."

"Don't underestimate people, Everly. That Dylan guy could easily try something–"

"You think I can't handle myself?" I asked, sitting up. "I'm just some damsel in distress?"

"No, I know you're able to kick ass when you need to. But when you let your guard down, people can stab ya in the back. None of us are invincible. Not even me. That's why I think you should stop dealing for the rebels. For now. I'm worried about you."

"This is the only way I can get closer to finding out who tried to kill me, who killed our baby. And you want me to stop?" I asked in disbelief.

"I'm trying my best to find the bitch too," Adam said.

"Yeah, well it's not enough," I snapped. "You don't have any leads, do you? You've been working on other cases that I guess are much more important."