What Doesn't Destroy Us (The Devil's Dust #1)(71)

I wake up just as we arrive at the beach house; the loss of vibration waking me. I slowly start to open my eyes and feel Shadow brush a stray hair behind my ear. He grabs me by the thighs gently and picks me up off his lap. He sets me in the passenger seat slowly and lightly, not realizing I'm already awake.

He climbs out of his seat and quietly closes the door, then makes his way around the car. I stretch my legs into the floorboard and stretch my arms into the ceiling. My body aches from the cramp of sleeping on Shadow's lap the whole way.

“I see you're awake now. I tried to let you sleep,” Shadow says as he opens my door.

“Yeah, I woke up when we pulled up.”

Shadow looks out behind us. Hearing another car, I turn in my seat to see what he’s looking at. A white Bentley is slowly pulling up behind us. I climb out of the car and stand next to Shadow, wondering who it is. The windows are darkly tinted so there's no way to see in.

The passenger door of the car clicks open and a white cane presents itself on the asphalt. Two fancy, white shoes follow. Like a scene from a movie, all I can see is under the door.

“Hope you guys weren’t waiting too long?” a scratchy voice sounds as an older man steps around the car door. He has thin, white hair, dark eyes and pale skin. The total effect is topped off by a white suit.

“Not at all,” Shadow says, bringing his hand out to shake the older gentleman’s. “I’m-“

“You must be Adrian Kingsmen?” The gentleman asks, cutting Shadow off. Hearing Shadow's last name throws a dagger in my heart; I’m in love with a man whose last name I don’t even know. Geez, I’m pathetic.

Shadow smiles politely as he grasps the older gentleman’s hand firmly and shakes it, “Yes, I am, and you must be Harold White?”

“Indeed I am,” the man confirms before freeing his hand from Shadow's and leaning on his cane. Harold looks over at me and smiles, his face flabby and wrinkled from age.

“This must be your wife?” he asks, as he comes my way.

“I, um, I’m...” I hesitate. I’m not sure what I am to Shadow. I know I’m not his wife, but I don’t even think I’m his girlfriend at this point.

“This is Dani; she’s my girlfriend,” Shadow explains for me, his label making me smile.

“She’s quite stunning, isn’t she?” he asks, lifting my hand and pecking it gently.

My eyes never leave Shadow's. “Very.” He smiles as he admires me.

“Sorry, Uncle White, I didn’t realize what time it was.”

I turn to an unfamiliar male voice. There stands a man, no a boy, with brown hair that breezes down into his eyes; eyes of brown. They are pretty, but not nearly as vivid as Shadow's. This new guy is just a little taller than me and of a smaller build than Shadow. He is wearing a white, button-up shirt with khaki shorts.

“Ah, yes, my belligerent nephew; late as usual,” Harold sneers, his teeth gritting as he speaks.

Turning to Shadow, he continues, “This is Rudy. He will help with whatever it is you may need. He will cook for you, bring you drinks while on the beach, whatever you choose. Please use him from cleaning the toilets to fluffing your pillow.” Harold commands, his face twisted in disgust as he eyes Rudy.

“Rudy here is paying me back for his little escapade last month. Rudy thought it would be a great idea to get drunk and do drugs with his buddies. He crashed his mother’s car and left it at the scene. Getting him out of jail was not cheap as this is something we like to do often, isn’t it, Rudy?” He eyes Rudy up and down. “Yes, this one is used to getting things handed to him, but not anymore. He’ll be staying in the guest house, so no worries.” Everyone stands in silence; the energy becoming awkward. I head toward the car to grab some bags and my luggage.

“Yes, anyway, down to business, Mr. Kingsmen,” Harold chirps. “Rudy, help the missus with her things while Mr. Kingsmen and I take care of the last minute details.”

With my hands full and Rudy ahead of me, we walk down a pebbled trail. The area is definitely secluded and it's a long walk along the path to the gorgeous house. Its walls are the color of dark green sandstone and its roof is of dark brown shingles. There are green vines that grow up the sides of the house, entwining with each other. It seems cozy and small, but elegant at the same time.

Walking in, my mouth gapes open at the luxury. To the right of the doorway is a cute little kitchen with stainless steel appliances and an island in the middle. To the left of the doorway sits a small living area with an overstuffed tan couch that has green and white pillows thrown on it. Next to the sitting area is a bathroom that looks huge from where I’m standing.

But what catches my eye is the bed in the middle of the room. As soon as you walk in, a bed sits in the middle as a centerpiece. It's a big, sand-colored, metal four-poster bed. White sheers hang elegantly along all four sides. I drop my bags and luggage and make my way to it. The comforter is white and fluffy and when my fingers touch it, I feel feathers inside. There is a sea of white pillows of every size and shape thrown all over it. In front of the bed are two floor-to-ceiling double glass doors that lead out onto a patio and beyond that a beach and the ocean.

“Yeah, everyone loves the view.” I snap my gaze from the bed and the double doors to find Rudy; who is standing way too close. I smile sweetly and brush past him, making my way back up the trail to Shadow. I see him taking a black bag from the trunk of the car and walking toward Harold. Harold opens it up and pulls out a stack of cash. He then looks in the bag and nods before closing it. He shakes Shadow's hand and makes his way back to his Bentley. The question that has been plaguing my mind for days resurfaces; where does Shadow get all this money?