Dissipate

I stayed hidden in the nook for a few minutes until I heard my beloved’s familiar voice. “Kenzie, sweetheart, why are you back here?” The touch on my arm had me nearly jumping out of my skin. “Kenzie, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Shaken, I looked at Aiden. “I saw Matthew. He was here.”

“What? Matthew from The Society?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

Aiden went to speak, but I cut him off. “I’ll tell you in the car. Can you check to make sure that any people dressed in black slacks, white shirts are gone?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right back.”

I took a few steadying breaths and tried to calm myself from the adrenaline rush. Aiden was gone a few minutes before he returned. “No one’s here, but I brought this hooded jacket to cover your head.”

“Good thinking.”

Taking it, I put it on and covered as much of my face as possible. Tucking me into his side, Aiden escorted me to the car. As soon as we pulled out of the parking lot, I told Aiden everything that had happened.

Matthew was the missing link we needed. At least now there was a fighting chance to bring them down.

THREE WEEKS HAD passed. There had been nothing from Matthew which frayed my nerves. There was a chance I’d never speak to him again, but I hoped he was able to find something that allowed us to save the innocent victims. We still continued to search for information on The Society to no avail. Whoever this network of people were . . . they had covered their trails impeccably.

Finals were done and Christmas break was here. In five days we were going to Aiden’s parents’ house to see them for Christmas. I loved this holiday with all the trees and cheer that emanated from the people. It was the exact opposite of Black Friday. I looked forward to going back to Kansas.

Even though Matthew had promised, my nerves were shot like they used to be when I’d first arrived in Fayetteville. What if they tortured him? What if he slipped about me being alive? There were a million different scenarios where The Society could find out I was here, and worse yet, I was trying to expose them.

Around every corner, I checked for someone from The Society. No one came. I was tired of being on guard and kept wishing over and over again, a solution would present itself.

At one point, I’d suggested me going to the cops, but Aiden had shot that down quickly. The cops already knew everything I would tell them. Nothing had happened before and from what Matthew had said, our earlier visit seemed to spur The Keeper into destroying any evidence. I hated feeling helpless and like I was failing everyone within the walls of The Society

Today, I’d been at the newspaper office by myself. Aiden had been in a meeting with Tasha and the other journalists as they wrapped things up before the paper closed for the year. Having finished up all the research needed, I headed home. My hours were going to increase at the coffee shop through the break to make up for the lost income, but I’d still get to have some much needed time off. Finals were hard.

Walking into my apartment, I heaved a sigh of relief. The week was over. My phone vibrated.

Aiden: I’m out of the meeting.

Me: Can’t wait to see you!

Aiden: Me either. I’ll be there as soon as the house meeting ends. Trent’s making his announcement.

Stacy’s parents had threatened to cut her off financially if anyone found out at the U of A she was pregnant. Her parents served on a couple of boards. For the duration on her pregnancy, before she started showing, she was going to a community college in New Mexico where the adoption agency was located. Trent was going with her. They’d be back in the fall. Tonight Trent was announcing he’d be gone for the spring semester.

Me: Sounds good. I’m going to find my green . . .

I laughed as I left that dangling out there, knowing Aiden would be thinking about our first night together.

Aiden: I’m coming right over.

Me: You have a meeting!

Aiden: I don’t give a shit.

Me: Go to your meeting. I’ll be waiting. People want to go home for Christmas. Don’t make them wait.

Aiden: I’ll be there as soon as it’s over.

Me: I’ll be waiting . . .

Bouncing up the stairs, I met Brooklyn as she came down with a suitcase.