Saving Savannah - A Reverse Harem Romance, page 18
“Yeah... I guess I am.”
“Holy shit.”
A long stretch of uncomfortable silence followed. My heart began to sink.
“So you lied to us,” said Roman. “About who you were. About everything.”
“No,” I countered sternly. “Everything else I told you was the truth.”
“You didn’t tell us much,” Erik pointed out.
“Exactly. And there was a reason for that — a good reason. And now you know.”
I saw them trying to process everything, each at different speeds. Erik seemed sympathetic. Zane, shocked. But Roman was the angry one. Or if not angry, at least betrayed.
“We did the job,” I said, eager to tell them everything, “and somehow it went flawlessly. They were armed — which was cataclysmically stupid — but the guys took the jewels without firing a shot.”
“And you… drove?” asked Erik.
“Yes. It was the only way I’d allow myself be involved. I just wanted to finish it, you know? To be rid of Louden. Totally free of everything to do with him.”
“So what happened?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but something stopped me. I could feel the cold creeping up again. The same icy, haunted sensation I always felt when waking up from the dream.
“I… was driving…” I somehow sputtered. “And we were getting away. No, we got away. Almost. And… and then…”
Erik slid closer to me. He reached out and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I focused on the warmth. On the feelings of love and respect I’d developed for all of them.
“Louden betrayed me,” I said bitterly. “We hadn’t even finished the job, and he was going to edge me out.”
The cold made me shiver, sending waves of gooseflesh all along my exposed skin. Erik squeezed my shoulder.
“And then what happened?” he asked gently.
“The gun came out,” I choked. “I didn’t know what he was going to do with it, but I wasn’t about to find out. I grabbed for it. I got his wrist but he yanked it away. And… and then the gun came back… and…”
“And it went off,” Roman finished for me. “And you got shot. In the shoulder.”
I nodded, looking down in the direction of my scar.
“It was so loud,” I breathed, trying to choke back tears. “So explosively, impossibly loud. But I was still driving. Still steering. In the back seat Jarrett was screaming, trying to warn us. And then Louden reached for the wheel, and the radio was blasting because he’d hit the button during our struggle for the gun.”
It all played in my head again, this time quickly instead of slow. I saw it all unfold. Every detail. Everything leading up to the crash.
“I crashed the car on purpose,” I said. “Wrapped it right around a telephone pole. Jarrett went through the windshield like he’d been shot from a cannon. And Louden… he hit the dash so hard it actually knocked him out.”
“And what happened to you?” asked Roman.
“I somehow managed to fasten my seatbelt. Right before I steered off the road.”
Zane let out a low whistle. “Whoa.”
“The car was mangled, already in flames. I saw Jarrett get up and run. He was all covered in blood. And through the smoke I saw Louden, lying there. And I… I had to get him.”
“You helped him?” Roman swore. “Even after he tried to—”
“Yes,” I murmured, falling back into the memory. “I dragged him out somehow, even with just one arm. It was the hardest thing I’d ever done. And then… then when he was safe, and the car was still burning, I… I took—”
“The pouch of jewels,” said Zane.
“Yes. It was just lying there, next to the car. I didn’t think, I just grabbed it.”
“And that’s why they’re chasing you,” said Erik. “That’s why Louden and Jarrett came up here, all this way.”
I nodded miserably. “It’s my fault, really,” I said. “I made everything too public. I could’ve kept laying low, like I had for the past year. Waitressed, maybe. Or gotten some other job.” I shook my head. “But I just had to open a shop again. Had to put myself out there, when I knew they were probably still looking.”
“Yeah, but what were you supposed to do?” Zane offered. “Keep running forever?”
It felt good hearing it from someone else. Realizing that maybe I wasn’t so crazy after all.
“I sold off some of the smaller cut stones,” I went on. “Fenced some of the bigger ones too. It let me manage a new life, the one you see now.”
“Until they found you,” said Erik.
“Yeah. It didn’t help that I was stupid enough to call myself ‘Savannah’, without even thinking that it would tip off Louden.” Silently I cursed myself. “Or maybe I did, and I was just being defiant. I don’t even know anymore. I’m just tired of running from my past. Of hiding it, and keeping things from the people I love.”
They’d all softened during my story, even Roman. Still, they were looking at me now in an all new light.
“I’m sorry I lied about my name,” I said. “But I never lied about anything else. Including how I feel. What you mean to me…”
Silence took over, leaving us to our own thoughts. It remained unbroken for a while, until Zane crossed his arms and shook his head.
“Julia…” he said again, breathing the word out loud. “Julia the jewel thief.”
“Will you cut that shit out?” Erik snapped. “We’re trying to think here. Come up with a plan.”
“We don’t need a plan,” I said. “I know exactly what I’m going to do.”
“You?” Roman scoffed. “You? You’re not doing anything,” he said. “From now on it’s we. We’re doing something — together, all of us. No more secrets.”
His words were admonishing, almost fatherly. But they thrilled me, because they included me. They included all of us. Like we were a family.
“Fine,” I said. “I know what we’re doing then.”
“And what’s that?” asked Erik.
I pointed down, to where the glimmering, shimmering stones sparkled on the kitchen table.
“We’re giving that all to Louden.”
Fifty-Two
SAVANNAH
We spent the day together, all four of us. It started down at my shop, where I filled out the police reports necessary to explain my broken window, minus any mention of Erik, or Jarrett, or myself even being there. I closed the shop, locked it tight, and we sat inside… waiting on Louden to show his face, as promised.
Only he never did.
From there it would be a waiting game, and we all knew it. Louden would be furious at Jarrett for having screwed things up. I didn’t know how long it would take for them to get their shit together, but if I knew Louden they’d be watching everything, including my place. And so that’s where we went.
Day turned to night, which turned into an epic home-cooked meal. We ate until we were stuffed, then curled up on the sofa together. Rented a couple of spooky movies, while the guys took turns watching the windows.
It was at least midnight when I finally drifted off.
I slept better that night than I had in weeks, nestled snugly between the warm bodies of my three protective lovers. We threw down blankets and pillows again. Transformed the floor of the living room into a stakeout turned slumber party, with at least one of us always awake, to keep watch.
If they were angry, it didn’t show. More likely they were relieved at me finally telling them everything, but still shocked at the extent of my story. There was something about Roman, though. An invisible distance that had settled between us, the moment I’d finished coming totally clean.
Somewhere near dawn it was his turn at the window. I waited until he was settled, and the others were slumbering away. Then, carefully and without waking him, I pried myself from Zane’s warm, giant arms.
“Hey…” I said gently, pulling a blanket from the couch. I settled down beside my Italian lover, but he only looked out the window, saying nothing. I continued staring at his silhouette, so handsome, chiseled and strong.
“Roman,” I urged. “What is it?”
“You should’ve told us,” he said simply.
“I… I know.”
“We could’ve helped you,” he said, shaking his head. “I can’t even think about what might’ve happened, if Erik hadn’t showed up when he did.”
I saw his expression of concern, but there was more to it than that. He looked forlorn. Like there was something else.
“Is it the name thing?” I asked. “I know it’s weird, so if you don’t want to call me Julia…”
“I’m mad that you ran.”
My eyes narrowed in confusion for a moment. But then I knew.
“Erik told me you had a bag packed,” he said. “All your things. Your money. The emeralds.” Finally he turned to look at me, and I could see the disappointment in his eyes. “You were leaving us,” he said plainly. “Just like that.”
My first instinct was to deny it. To lie to his face, and tell him something different. But I couldn’t — not anymore. I was as done with lying as I was running away.
“I was leaving, yes,” I admitted. “But only because of them. I could never forgive myself if any of you got hurt.”
He laughed bitterly. “Those guys? Please.”
“You don’t understand, Roman,” I pleaded. “Louden’s crazy. And Jarrett…” I sighed, thinking back again. “Well, Jarrett’s even crazier.”
I slid closer to him, until we were side by side. I could feel the cold radiating off the big window as I pulled my blanket around us both.
“You know that little nagging voice in the back of your head, that says ‘this probably isn’t such a good idea’?” I asked.
Roman nodded slowly, his eyes back on the street.
“Well Jarrett doesn’t have that voice. Never has.”
“All the more reason you shouldn’t be on your own,” my lover said. “We’re going to find these guys, and we’re going to fix this once and for all. They’re never going to hurt you again… Julia. I can promise you that.”
He fumbled over my name again, which only made me feel worse. But his expression was different now. He seemed to understand.
“I’m thankful for you,” I said. “For what we have. For the sacrifices the three of you are making for me. And most of all for sticking with me, even after bringing all this… drama.”
I leaned in, resting my head on his shoulder. In time, he rested his own head on mine.
By the time the dawn came, I was fast asleep.
Fifty-Three
SAVANNAH
Three days passed. Three long days during which the guys never let me out of their sight. Three sizzling nights we stayed at my place, trying to stay sharp and vigilant. Nights where my boyfriends took turns enjoying me during the downtime, and I them.
Of course, it was also three days without work. All three of them had turned down moving jobs that they would’ve normally taken, and Zane hadn’t done a single tour. I hadn’t opened the shop all week. Roman hadn’t gone to class. That last part concerned me the most, because finals were coming up fast.
“I’ll be okay,” I told them, over and over again. “Go live your lives. Let me handle Louden, I know what he wants.”
No matter which of them I asked, each time the answer was resoundingly the same: “Fuck that.”
Still, I knew our little arrangement wasn’t a solution. The guys couldn’t watch me forever, and Louden had all the time in the world. I had zero doubt he was keeping close tabs on us. Louden had the patience of a sniper lying in a blind. He’d wait for exactly the right moment before making his move.
And hell, he’d waited this long. I couldn’t even imagine how many months it had taken him to track me down. He wasn’t leaving without the emeralds. Especially since my encounter with Jarrett confirmed I still had them.
Eventually I convinced Roman to take his classes, and that left three of us. I opened the shop. I felt safe there, giving readings behind my little screen while both guys watched the building, inside and out. But I also felt guilty having them stand around all day. I needed this done. More than anything I wanted closure to the whole miserable scenario, so we could all get back to our normal, everyday lives.
After the second day of doing that, Zane came up with an idea. He hung back, melting into the crowd, in an effort to watch the watchers.
“If they’re tailing you every day,” he said, “They’re somewhere nearby. Why not find them first?”
It seemed like a great idea, if we could pull it off. But Erik was skeptical. After a little convincing he reluctantly agreed, and we spent the second half of the day alone, just the two of us, with Zane text-messaging periodic updates from different places in the street crowd.
The only problem was that Halloween was over, and with it, the street fair. And although Salem was still busy, there were nowhere near the throngs of people there were before.
This left less places for Zane to hide, and to remain hidden. Not to mention, my gargantuan blond boyfriend wasn’t exactly inconspicuous.
Darkness fell, and we hadn’t heard from him in almost an hour. The crowds were thin at best. I hadn’t had a customer in nearly forty-five minutes.
“Call him in,” I told Erik. “Let’s close up and get the hell out of here.”
“Your turn to cook tonight?” he asked hopefully.
“Maybe,” I smiled. “Or my turn to make reservations. Somewhere good, too.”
My tattooed lover rubbed his stomach. “Can’t argue with that.”
Five minutes went by, then ten. Erik texted Zane again, and still got no answer.
“His phone probably died,” he shrugged.
We waited some more, and some more after that. The avenue went totally dark. One by one the other shops closed down, flicking their lights off.
“Something’s wrong,” I said, unable to ignore the sinking sensation in my stomach. “I feel it.”
Erik didn’t answer right away. But his face was grim.
“Stay here,” he said, “and keep the doors locked. I’m going to look for him.”
“Locked doors didn’t stop them last time,” I warned. “I’m coming with you.”
He nodded quickly, realizing I was right. “Okay.”
Locking the door, I felt naked and vulnerable — even with Erik by my side. The avenue was nearly empty. The streetlamps seemed dimmer than usual in the moonless night.
“Where to?” I asked uneasily.
“This way,” said Erik, pulling me by the hand. “The last place he checked in from.”
He led me across the open avenue, then past a pair of darkened sidestreets. At the third junction he called Zane’s name into the darkness. First in a normal tone, then by raising his voice to a shout.
Nothing happened.
“Maybe we should get help,” I said, glancing around.
Erik opened his mouth to answer, and something shifted. The shadows near the center of the alley moved, followed by a moan in the darkness.
“It’s him!”
I bolted toward the sound, and got only as far as the length of Erik’s arm. His hand went tight, grabbing my wrist. Preventing me from continuing.
“Let go!” I hissed. “We have to help him—”
“Together,” Erik said sternly. “We go together.”
Side by side we entered the alley, staying in constant contact. The buildings were old, and close together. The lighting was awful. But right there, in the middle of the tiny street—
“Zane!”
We rushed over, to where Zane was on his hands and knees. He was holding his head. Struggling to get up.
“Zane, what happened!”
He was bleeding, I could see that much. The blood looked almost black in the half light. Shiny and slick, running down the side of his face.
“Zane, say something! Are you alright?”
From somewhere ahead in the alley, a sinister voice growled. “He’s okay… I think.”
I glanced up in surprise, just as Louden stepped out of the shadows and into view. He was holding something long and thin. Something that gleamed even in the darkness.
“The kid’s got a real hard head though.”
Fifty-Four
SAVANNAH
There was a second or two of absolute silence, broken only by Zane’s next groan. Then, before I could even think about what came next, everything seemed to happen at once.
Erik lunged, catching Louden off guard. The two of them fell backwards into the alley, a tangle of arms and legs, as both struggled for the upper hand.
“Julia!”
The voice came from behind me, startling me half out of my mind. I whirled, just in time to catch the back of Jarrett’s fist… square against the right side of my face.
CRACK!
“Didn’t see that one, did you?” he laughed triumphantly. “For a fortune teller, you sure are—”
I kicked backwards, hard, while trying to set Zane’s head back to the ground. Somehow I missed. Jarrett caught me by the ankle, then twisted his wrists hard… causing me to scream in pain.
“Julia!”
I heard Erik’s voice, floating to me from the other side of the alley. He was on top of Louden. He had him pinned…
But the second he heard me scream, he got up to help me.
“Erik, no! I—”
Louden tackled him before he could fully pull away, sending him chin-first to the pavement. After that I don’t know what happened. Jarrett yanked me backwards so hard by the legs, I slid a good four or five feet on the sand-strewn cobbles.
FUCK!
Pain flared again, as my bare skin scraped hard gravel. It rivaled the ringing in my head, and the agony blossoming in my jaw.
“The emeralds…”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Jarrett had already struck me again. I could tell he was taking pleasure in it. Finally taking revenge for his ruined face, and maybe even for what happened at my shop.
“Give me the—”
