Among the Echoes (Wrecked and Ruined #2.5)(42)

He holds me for hours as I drift in and out of sleep, but from what I can tell, he never even closes his eyes. His fingers constantly glide over my back and up my sides.

"I need to go. Dave will worry."

Slate lets out a laugh. "You’re not going anywhere. We aren’t doing this you-running-home shit anymore. You sleep in my bed, or I sleep in yours after we make love. And even when we don’t. I’ve never even slept with you, but I refuse to sleep without you again."

"You’re bossy." I stretch up and kiss the underside of his chin.

"No, I’m just not going to sit back and watch you distance yourself from me again. I missed you—something else I’m not willing to do again."

"Slate, I—"

"Sleep, beautiful," he says with a sexy grin.

"I need my pants," I shyly whisper.

"No pants."

I immediately clam up. I’m no choirgirl. I know middle-of-the-night sex happens, and I’m not positive how I would react if he woke me up like that. He must notice my anxiety because he immediately rolls me over and folds his hard body behind me.

He whispers in my ear, "I won’t touch you, but I want to feel you." A tender sentiment that makes me melt against him.

"I trust you," I whisper back.

"No you don’t, and we'll talk about that tomorrow. But at least you believe me tonight. Now go to sleep, Riley." He kisses my head and buries his face in my hair.

If he only realized how much I’m trusting him by being here at all.





My blood is f*cking boiling. Holding Riley is the only thing keeping me from destroying the entire apartment complex right now.

"I always thought I would freak out when I was with a man again."

I knew she had been abused in some way or shape, but this? I was not prepared for this little revelation tonight. I need to talk to Dave. Then I need to find her ex-boyfriend and ruin him.

She’s been sound asleep for two hours, and I’ve finally been able to inch my way out from under her. I grab some sweats and my phone off the nightstand. I take one last glance over my shoulder before leaving, but she doesn’t budge as I silently sneak from the room.

"What’s up?" I hear Jimmy’s sleepy voice answer the phone.

"Riley Peterson. I know I called you off her last time, but I need everything this time. I’m looking for her ex-boyfriend. Spare no expense. Fucking find him."

"Should I also start stashing away bail money now?" he asks humorously.

"It wouldn’t be a bad idea."

"Slate," he warns.

"I’ll text you as much information as I can tomorrow and a picture of her so they can ask around. I don’t care what you have to do. Just get me his location," I snap.

"Shit." He sighs. "Yeah, I’ll get on it in the morning."

"Thanks," I reply, scrubbing a hand through my hair, but he has already disconnected the line.

I toss my phone onto the table and head out the door. One man holds the answers. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him keep them from me.

I leave the front door open just in case Riley wakes up.

I quietly knock on Dave’s door, but he doesn’t answer. It’s the middle of the night, but tough shit. He’s waking up. I knock a little louder, and finally, his eyes peek through the window. He swings open the door and shoves a gun down the back of his pants.

"Where is she?" he asks with concern etched across his face.

"Do you always answer the door with a gun?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Where the f*ck is she? Or you might never get to knock on another door again," he snaps taking a step closer.

"Sleeping."

He instantly relaxes and small smile tips the corner of his mouth. "Good night, huh?"

"Fuck you. What’s her ex-boyfriends name?"

His eyebrows pop up in surprise before falling flat again. "I took care of him."

"If he is still breathing, you did not take f*cking care of him. Now tell me his God damn name!" I roar.

"Jesus Christ, Slate. Calm the f*ck down. First of all, you are going to do more harm than good if you try to become some celebrity vigilante. Just focus on her. She doesn’t need you out there trying to make this guy pay. She needs you to help her rebuild."

"Don’t f*ck around with me, Dave. I’ll never be able to sleep again knowing he is out there. Not after what he did to her."

"Then don’t sleep, but you can rest easy knowing she can."

"I swear to God, you people talk in code. What the f*ck does that mean?"

"That woman never sleeps. Yet it appears, with you, it’s not an issue."

"She have nightmares?" I ask, trying to seek out the logical explanation for her sleep issues.

"No. But I’m not ever going to tell you her business. You want answers? You ask Riley."

"Or you could just tell me so I don’t have to make her relive that bullshit."

He stares at me, obviously weighing a decision. But the sudden scream that comes from inside my apartment halts the conversation.

"Slate!" Riley cries, forcing us both into action.

Side by side, Dave and I sprint the few steps down the hall towards her. Just before we get to the door, he pushes me to the side, narrowly making it inside before I do.