His Gothic Valentine

“That’s usually the way of it.”

“The way of what?”

“What happens when you meet the man you're supposed to be with,” she says, matter of factly.

“Well, I don’t know about that. We just met last night, Gran.”

“Time doesn’t matter when it comes to love. Nothing does really.”

“You’re right. I know you are.”

“I have some experience with this. I met your grandfather in 1984 at an Ozzy Osborne concert.”

“Yes. The Bark At The Moon Tour, January 14th, 1984, at the Spectrum in Philadelphia,” I recite. I have heard this story a thousand times.

“Right. And we got married three days later. Then there’s your mother.”

“September 18th, 2001, Cradle of Filth concert in Belgium.”

“What are the odds that two kids from Pennsylvania would meet at that concert?”

“It was improbable. Especially with what happened here a few days earlier, but they were both already in Europe for a summer abroad.” Again, I’ve heard that story a thousand times too.

“And they got married two weeks later when they got home.”

“Exactly. We’re all still going strong.”

“You’re right.”

“I know,” she says, chuckling. “Are you hungry?” she asks.

“I could eat. What did you have in mind?”

“Grilled cheese and tomato soup. Something light because I know you’ll be in the cage tonight," Gran says, smiling at me.

“Sounds great. I’m starving.”

After I lock the door, we go up to my apartment because Tony will have a shit fit if we mess up his kitchen. Chefs are pretty territorial.

After we eat, Gran heads downstairs, and I take a hot shower, then get ready for work. Once my makeup is done, I pull on my leather pants and tall boots. Tonight, I’m wearing a black corset that does everything for my boobs. At the last minute, I pull a long strand of pearls on and deem myself ready.

Tonight is going to be a good night. I can’t wait to see Everett. It’s crazy how much he’s come to mean to me in a day. Literally a day, but whatever… I’m going with it.

Chapter Five

EVERETT

I’ve missed Rainn all damn day, and it’s made me cranky. After my shift, I stopped by my house, took a quick shower, and grabbed my portable safe as well as some clothes. I am off tomorrow, and I want to spend Valentine's Day with my little gothic beauty. With the safe, I can lock my gun up tight and not worry about it. I can’t believe I forgot about it, that’s like the number one rule in policing, but then again, she has that effect on me. Love makes you do crazy things. I especially love that it comes out of nowhere and knocks you on your ass.

I left my squad car at the station and brought my personal vehicle. A dark blue 2020 Ford F-150. It’s one of two extravagant purchases I’ve made in years. I don’t make much on a civil servant’s salary, but I’ve saved up, and Rainn and I will have a good life together.

On my lunch break earlier, I went to a jewelry store in Reading and found the perfect engagement ring for her. The second extravagant purchase, but it’ll be worth it if she says yes. It’s a black and white gold diamond ring that looks like a corset. The moment I saw it, I knew it was for her. I bought it, and now it’s burning a hole in the pocket of my jeans. Hopefully, she doesn’t think I am insane, but I am a firm believer that when you know, you know. At least that’s what my dad said, and it stuck with me.

I park in the lot across from the club, where everyone in town seems to park. I leave my things in the car for now and head across the deserted street. I can hear the music thumping from outside. The bouncer from last night, Eddie, lets me in after we introduce ourselves.

Inside, a song I actually know is playing. The sultry sound of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” is playing, and people are dancing close. It’s not only the original artist. The DJ has mixed in another version, one with more guitars, but it’s just as sexual as the original version, maybe more so. The lights in the club are alternately flashing dark colors, sending a glow over the entire space. The dancing is obscenely close, but I can’t fault them. It’s the damn song, the lights, all of it. There is a sensual, sexy vibe coming off of all the clubgoers; it permeates the air. I scan the room, looking for Rainn. She’s not behind the bar like I thought she’d be. She’s not delivering drinks either. As I turn my head, I spot her—my jaw drops. My girl is inside a giant birdcage, dancing. I am mesmerized by the swaying of her hips and the pure, unadulterated look of pleasure on her face. It very much reminds me of her face the many, many times I took her last night. Men are surrounding the cage, but to be fair, so are women, and she is fully dressed, but still. Seeing her in that cage is more than I can handle. Anger and jealousy, as I have never known, fills me, pushing me into action. Going over to the cage, I rip it open, rattling it. She turns to face me.