When Darkness Comes Read online

  †

  I stopped in front of my door, quickly wiping my face with the backs of my hands. I had to pull myself together before entering my apartment and coming face to face with Luc, Nic, J.J., and Trent. Taking a deep breath, my cheeks puffed out as I exhaled. I wrapped my fingers around the cold metal knob and turned it. Squaring my shoulders, I walked into my apartment with my head held high. I may have been crushed on the inside, but I was trying to not let it show.

  I stopped just inside and looked around. Nic and Luc were wrapping my beautiful polka dot dishes in bubble wrap, while laughing and standing dangerously close. J.J. was seated on the floor in front of my bookcase, going through all of my DVD’s. I don’t think he was even packing them, but rather simply checking out my cinematic tastes. The corner of my mouth quirked up at that. And, as my eyes moved again, in search of Trent, they found him coming down the hall slowly, a huge box in hand. He stopped immediately, seeing the look on my face, and gently set down the box, making his way to me in quick strides. His strong arms encompassed me and I sunk into his chest, sobbing. One of Trent’s hands rubbed my back gently, while the other kept my head tucked against him. So much for not letting it show...

  “Shhh... It’s okay, gorgeous. I’m right here. I’m right here, babe.” He spoke softly before kissing the top of my head.

  “What’s wrong?” I heard J.J. ask, and I felt Trent shake his head in response.

  “I’m going to kill Mathieu.” I heard Nic say as she came thundering past and swung open the door. I turned my head to look at her and saw Luc come right up behind her and close the door before she even had the chance to step out into the hall.

  “Hold on, baby. We don’t even know what happened.” Luc said calmly, trying to keep this situation from escalating any further.

  “What happened is my brother is a dick.” Nic’s voice was stern and I was surprised by it. Gorgeous, perfect, sweet as honey Nic was infuriated.

  I pushed myself out of Trent’s arms. “Please, Nic. Just let it go. I’m okay. Okay? I just think I’m ready to call it a day. I’m exhausted from all this packing. Everything’s okay. I’ll call you tomorrow. Okay?” I forced a smile. How many times did I just say the word okay? Do I really expect her to believe I’m okay? Of course not, but I just want to be alone with Trent right now.

  Nic sighed. “Alright.” She conceded and walked over, quickly giving me a big hug. She pulled back and grabbed my shoulders firmly. “I will not hesitate to go upstairs and kick his ass, Paige. Just say the word.”

  I laughed in response. Man, I love my sister-in-law.

  “You might have to fight me for that honor.” Trent’s voice carried a hint of amusement amongst a lot of seriousness.

  “You both will have to get in line behind me.” J.J. chimed in.

  “It’s okay, guys. Honestly! I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll order pizza and have beer over at Trent’s place.” There was the okay word again. But in truth, I was starting to feel a little better, simply knowing how many people I had in my corner.

  “OUR place.” Trent swung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me into him, placing a kiss on my temple.

  I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. OUR place.

  “We’ll see you guys later.” Luc shook Trent’s hand and ushered his wife out the door, much to her dismay.

  “I still think we should head upstairs and give Mathieu a...” I heard Nic saying as the door shut behind them.

  “Well, I guess I’ll head out too. Unless you want to try out that threesome thing, Paige?” J.J. wagged his eyebrows.

  “J.J.!” I laughed and shook my head at Trent’s best friend.

  “Get outta here, dude, before I have to find a new best friend.” Trent chuckled at J.J. as he shoved a fist in his direction.

  “Like you could find anyone better than me.” J.J. bumped his fist against Trent’s and then turned to give me a hug. “Offer stands! See you guys tomorrow!” He waved as he left my apartment.

  “Care to tell me what happened?” Trent asked as he turned and looked at me, holding my body close to his.

  I shook my head and chewed my lip.

  “Hey, you know you can talk to me about anything. What is it, babe?” He placed his right hand on my left hip and squeezed gently as his eyes searched mine.

  “Just promise not to get mad, okay?”

  Trent placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Promise.”

  “Matty is not exactly happy with the fact that I’m moving in with you.” I stated simply.

  “No shit!” Trent pretended to be shocked, and I slapped his chest half-heartedly, quickly rolling my eyes at him.

  “I think he’s in love with me, Trent.” I braced myself for outrage, but it never came. Instead, Trent just stood there looking gorgeous in all his Alma Mater attire.

  Trent shrugged his shoulders and laughed. “You think? Ha! Oh, babe, your naivety is so endearing sometimes. I’m glad he finally told you.”

  “He didn’t tell me. Nic told me a while ago. Wait, how did you know?”

  “Paige, come on.” Trent smirked. “Guys can just kind of sense these things. I’m in love with you, hence I knew he was.”

  “Well, he told me he couldn’t be around us anymore. That he hoped we worked out, but if we didn’t, then he’d be there for me.”

  I watched Trent’s jaw flex for a millisecond before he quickly put his cool demeanor back in place. “Do you think we won’t work out?”

  There was no mistaking the hurt in Trent’s voice. He was worried I didn’t have faith in our relationship. My shoulders relaxed as I shook my head at Trent’s question. I reached up and pulled his Boston University cap off his head, holding it between my fingers, while I wrapped my arms around his neck. I rose to my tip-toes and kissed him. It was a slow kiss, reassuring Trent, and myself, of my belief in us. His mouth moved gently against mine, while his hands pulled me closer to him. I dropped his hat to the floor, so I could move my fingers to his hair. Trent growled into my mouth when I gently tugged on his long strands, and I couldn’t help but smile as we continued our kiss.

  “I love you so much, Paige.” He said against my lips. “So much it hurts sometimes.” He pushed his hips into mine and I moaned as he moved his mouth to my neck.

  I reached up and held his face in between my hands, bringing his eyes back to mine. “I’m scared, Trent. I’m not going to lie. I love you... and I don’t want to lose you.”

  Trent surged forward and kissed me passionately before pulling back, breathless. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Neither am I.”

  Trent’s lazy smile turned into a huge grin and mine mirrored his exactly. My parents were wrong. I knew it in my heart. Trent said he wouldn’t push me away again, not that I would let him anyway. Not now. We WILL make it. This relationship will be my last.

  chapter 15

  Ilightly tapped the toes of my sparkling silver ballet flats on the stained concrete floor of our office as I worked diligently, editing the pictures from my most recent wedding. Okay, so maybe in this moment, my mind is more on my ex-best friend, rather than the beautiful couple on my computer screen, but for good reason...

  I haven’t spoken to Matty since last year. Seriously. The last time I saw him, our families had Christmas Eve dinner together. Everyone was dressed in their pajamas and we had breakfast for dinner. I think Matty probably tried to get out of it, but knowing Cecile, there was no way she was going to let that happen. Things were tense to say the least, and I don’t think Matty spoke but maybe three words to me the whole evening. Now, it’s the New Year and Matty and I are still not speaking, because I am still living with Trent.

  Even though losing my best friend has taken its toll on me, my relationship with Trent could not be any better. Trent stayed in Montreal with me for the holidays, instead of going home to Scarsdale, and he celebrated Christmas with my family. He even surprised me with a one-year-old chocolate Labrador named Bodhi, which he adopted from a loc
al rescue.

  You see, the nights can get kind of lonely whenever Trent is out on investigations and I think I even started having hallucinations due to the constant solitude. For example, I would hear footsteps upstairs while working late nights in the office, but whenever I would go up there, I’d come face-to-face with the realization that I was completely and utterly alone. But Trent solved the problem by supplying me with a new best friend; one that would never leave my side. And, he hasn’t. Bodhi is my pal. He is always at my feet, whether I’m working in the office or curled up on the couch. And believe me, his 44 kilograms of pure muscle can sometimes get in the way. But I love him to pieces and I can’t imagine our life without him. We are like a little family now thanks to our lovable Lab.

  My toes ceased their incessant movement and I lifted my foot to rub Bodhi’s back, as I listened to Trent and J.J. brainstorm a game plan for tonight.

  “Well, I think we should try the board, Trent. We need to get answers.” J.J. said from his seat on the window sill behind Trent’s side of the desk.

  “And, I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’re sticking to provocation.” Trent said firmly.

  “Why are you even going back there?” I interrupted, as I swiveled in my chair and stared at the back of Trent’s head, expectantly. MPS is heading back to Fort de l'Île Sainte-Hélène for another investigation tonight, which is kind of odd... In the time I’ve been with Trent, MPS has never investigated any location more than once.

  Trent spun around in his matching black leather chair and blinked back at me, perplexed.

  “You want to join, P.K.? We’d love to have you tag along again.” J.J. grinned devilishly.

  I rolled my eyes at J.J. “Nah, I think I’m good. Even if I wanted to, these pictures aren’t going to edit themselves.” I tried my best to hide my delight in having work to finish and a bulletproof excuse to not go on another investigation. “But, why are you going back when the place was a complete bust?”

  “A complete bust?!” J.J. wadded up a piece of yellow note paper from the notepad in his hands and threw it directly at my forehead. “We’re going back because of the unparalleled activity we recorded last time.”

  I frowned as the paper ball bounced off my head and landed on top of my work area. “So, you guys actually found some evidence when you did your review?” I picked up the crumpled ball and threw it back at J.J.

  J.J. was staring at the back of Trent’s head, instead of paying attention to the flying projectile, so it hit him square in the jaw. “You didn’t tell her?” He asked pointedly.

  “Well, I never really asked.” I interjected, trying to defend my boyfriend’s actions of not telling me. “What were the findings? Anything good?”

  “No, Paige. It wasn’t anything good.” Trent stated plainly.

  Okay... Trent seems pissed. Why is Trent pissed?

  “I can’t believe you didn’t fucking tell her!” J.J. raised his voice, clearly disappointed in his best friend.

  Trent whipped around in his chair so fast I’m surprised he didn’t get whip lash. He gave J.J. a look I couldn’t see, and judging from J.J.’s expression, I wouldn’t have wanted to anyway.

  J.J. shook his head at his best friend and looked at me quickly, before turning his attention back to Trent. “You need to tell her, before I do.” He stated simply.

  I heard Trent exhale loudly, as he rose from his chair and walked over to my side of our double desk. He sat on the edge of the desktop and stared at his hands absent-mindedly.

  “Did you catch the laugh I heard?” I questioned.

  Trent shook his head quickly. “No, we got something else.” Trent paused and glanced at me. “Do you remember during the EVP session, when I was asking questions about why they were still there? All those questions about unfinished business?”

  I nodded my head, but didn’t speak, wanting Trent to continue.

  “Do remember me asking for them to say the name of the person they would like to speak to?”

  I nodded again, as my leg started to bounce nervously.

  “Well, we got an answer. The voice...” Trent shook his head and scowled slightly. “The voice said Trent.”

  A sharp intake of breath displayed my shock. “That’s insane! I can’t believe you caught that! So, you didn’t want me to freak over your name being said? Is that why you didn’t mention it?”

  “Not exactly, Paige. When I asked for the message they wanted to give...” Trent closed his eyes for a moment and swallowed. “The voice said, and I quote, ‘I want her’.” He quickly stood and walked back to his side of the desk, before sinking into his chair.

  “Wait... I? I, who?” A chill ran through my body and straight down to my bones. I surged upward from my seat. Bodhi was on high alert, standing and walking out from under the desk and over to my side. “Who is I?”

  Trent stared up at me with pity radiating from his green eyes. “I honestly don’t know, babe. The voice was... It didn’t sound right. It sounded evil.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded. “Evil.” I repeated quietly.

  “Yeah, but I really don’t think “her” is you. I mean, if it was you, I’m sure you would’ve had some experiences by now.” J.J. said hurriedly, trying to reassure me. The only thing he was successfully doing was freaking me out even more.

  Trent grimaced at J.J.’s comment, clearly knowing all the strange occurrences that I’ve encountered over the last few months. I took a step back and placed a hand over my heart, my chest beginning to heave. I looked from Trent to J.J., who was eyeing me warily, and back to Trent.

  “You mean,” I gulped, “like, hearing footsteps upstairs when I’m the only one home? Like, always feeling as if someone’s watching me? Like, Bodhi barking or staring at something I simply can’t see? Like, my phone ringing, but as soon as I go to pick it up, it stops and there’s no damn record of a missed call? Like, me blowing out lightbulbs left and right no matter which room I walk into? Or what about the fact I see a shadow figure at night when I’m alone? Those kinds of experiences?” I spoke quickly and my volume rose with every word.

  J.J.’s jaw dropped. Clearly, Trent hadn’t told J.J. about any of the eerie things I’ve been experiencing since moving in. I see why these two are such good friends; they both share the tendency of omitting important things from conversations.

  I shook my head, angry at Trent for keeping this from me. “You know, for once, I’m going to have to agree with J.J. on something.” I glared at Trent. “You should’ve fucking told me.” I spun on my heel and stormed out of the office, with Bodhi in tow.

  I stomped up the stairs and into our bedroom, slamming the door behind me, before throwing myself onto our king size platform bed. With my knees bent and my legs hanging off the side of the bed, I stared up at the black and crystal chandelier hanging directly overhead.

  Bodhi let out a whimper and I turned my head to look at him. He was sitting beside the bed, his head resting on the mattress.

  “Why, Bodhi? Why didn’t he tell me? Am I “the girl”? Is that why I’ve been feeling like someone is always right behind me, watching my every move? Besides you, of course.” I spoke to him as I reached out and rubbed my hand back and forth over the top of his head.

  I kicked my shoes off my feet and sighed, closing my eyes when I heard them hit the floor with a light thump. The knob to the bedroom turned and I listened, waiting for Trent to come barreling in, ready for a fight. Heavy boots struck the floor in carefully measured steps, and I pushed myself up on my elbows to face my boyfriend.

  “I’m not happy with you. You might just want to turn around and go right back out.” I spoke honestly.

  Trent smiled mischievously as he came to a stop in front of my knees. “You really shouldn’t lie. You know you’re happy with me.” He reached down to pet Bodhi with one hand.

  I tilted my head at him, while my eyebrow quirked up in response to his comments. “Well, in this moment, I’m pissed at you.”

&nb
sp; Trent’s smile didn’t falter. “I can tell. You cursed. Twice.” He wiggled two fingers in front of me.

  “I did not.” I huffed.

  Trent nodded his head and his smile slowly faded into a smirk. “You did.” He raised his eyebrow. “You even said fuck.”

  I feigned shock at the use of profanity and he chuckled in return.

  “It was kind of hot.” Trent lazily puckered his lips, the lids of his eyes lowering slightly. “I like it when you talk dirty.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his muscular arms and chest on full display under his tight, black cotton t-shirt. My pulse kicked up in response.

  I pressed my hands into the mattress, as I straightened my arms and sat up more. “Quit trying to distract me, Knox. You can’t use sex to avoid an argument.”

  Trent narrowed his eyes at me, although he was clearly amused at my use of his last name. He unfolded his arms, taking a step toward me and using his legs to push my knees apart. “Why not? You do it all the time.”

  I let out a laugh before quickly stifling it. “Trent, I just want to know why you kept it from me.” I said in all seriousness.

  “I didn’t tell you because I knew you would have questions that I wouldn’t have answers for. I’m hoping to connect some dots with tonight’s investigation. I want to know why those strange things have been occurring. I’m trying to get to the bottom of it, but I didn’t want you worrying over it. That’s the truth, Paige.” He reached out with his hand and brushed my hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear.

  “You promise?” I searched Trent’s gorgeous face.

  “Cross my heart.” Trent made an X over his chest, with a couple of swipes of his finger.

  “Oh, I didn’t know you had one of those.” I teased.

  Trent dramatically dropped his jaw at my insult before leaning in close to me. “Actually, I don’t.” He smiled softly. “You have it.”

  My heart stuttered at his candid comment. I have his heart.

  “I’m sorry.” I said quickly.

  “I am too.”

  “I love you, Trent.”