Behind His Walls Page 17

  She held my face and made me look into her eyes. “I want to hear all of it, Joseph. None of this will scare me away. You’ve shared a tremendous amount with me tonight, and I’m so grateful you’ve trusted me. I can tell there’s more. I can also tell this is the tip of the iceberg and what else you have to share with me has devastated you. I want you to be ready to tell me that and not because you’re tired. I don’t want you to regret anything in the morning.”

  I nodded and hugged her close. I was exhausted. She was probably dying to know the rest of the story, but she stopped and put my needs before her own. If we hadn’t already had our first kiss, it would’ve happened at that moment.

  I held Joseph all night. It only stood to reason the dreams would be back since he opened up and talked about his family. A psychologist learns early on to never assume anything about anyone, but there was too much difference in the Joseph I knew and the Joey Jasmine knew to think he didn’t have major issues in his past. However, I had never suspected his parents having that kind of relationship.

  He spoke highly of his mother on the rare occasions she came up. I never learned how she died. It was a big loss in his life and one that seemed to be unexpected since he couldn’t or wouldn’t discuss it.

  I took a deep breath and breathed in the scent of my coffee. We had beaten Elizabeth to the office, which surprised me. I yawned as I tried to take a drink and put the coffee back down.

  “Someone’s tired.” Elizabeth walked in.

  “Someone’s late.” I shook my head when she looked at her watch. “I meant later than usual.”

  “Sorry.” She smiled. “Something came up.” She blushed.

  I arched an eyebrow and looked at her. “Something, huh?” I took a sip of coffee. “I’m glad things seem to be working out.”

  She nodded and couldn’t stop smiling. “Things are working out very well.” She lifted her coffee mug to her lips, but didn’t drink. “If you were wondering, the supply closet does have enough room for two people.” She winked and walked away.

  I laughed and followed her. “You can’t just drop that bombshell and expect me to not want answers.”

  “Well, last night was great, but this morning was even better. We were clumsy and awkward for our first time last night, but when he came to check the place out this morning . . . well, let’s just say he really came.”

  I laughed and covered my mouth as Joseph walked into the lobby from his office. “What’s so funny?”

  “Just girl stuff.” Elizabeth had to answer since I couldn’t stop giggling.

  Joseph narrowed his eyes at us, but continued walking to the break room, shaking his head. “I’m not sure I want to know, but you ladies have fun.”

  I looked at Elizabeth and calmed my laughter. “I guess you were here at your usual time. I’m very happy for you, but please take precautions.”

  “Yes, Mom. I’m on the pill, and he uses condoms.”

  Laughter erupted again. “No, I meant don’t let Joseph catch you having sex.”

  “Oh.” She smiled. “I’ve already told Aaron we needed to control ourselves around the office.”

  “Good.” I sighed. “I need to get ready for my day. Not all of us had the bang to our morning that you did.”

  She looked at her watch. “You’ve still got a few more minutes.”

  I shook my head and walked to my office. Morning sex wasn’t something I was opposed to, but after the talk Joseph and I had the night before about his parents, I didn’t think he’d be too into it. I also didn’t think it was appropriate this close to appointments.

  I needed time to prepare for my clients and get my mindset right. They were in my office for my help and guidance. What they didn’t need was a psychologist still half in a daze after orgasms from her boyfriend. I smiled as I sat at my desk. I liked the sound of calling Joseph my boyfriend. I wondered when he would be ready to take it to the next level of labels.

  I opened my drawer to place my handbag inside it, but slammed it shut instead. I couldn’t help the scream. I could hear the snakes moving inside the drawer. I must have startled them when I slammed it. I was terrified of snakes. Elizabeth beat Joseph through the door, but he was on her heels trying to get to me.

  He pushed her out of the way when she stopped. “What’s the matter?”

  I was across the room, and all I could do was point a shaky finger at my desk. “Snakes.”

  Joseph stopped and turned to me. “Where?”

  Elizabeth backed up toward the door. “In here?”

  “In the desk drawer. Don’t open it!” I yelled when Joseph walked toward the desk.

  He grabbed my bag off the desk and walked Elizabeth and me out. He shut the door behind us and walked us to the lobby. “Elizabeth, have you looked in your desk?”

  “No, I haven’t yet.”

  “Okay, let’s let the police look through here.” He turned to me. “Are you okay to stay in the lobby and explain to the clients we’ll need to cancel? Our first appointments will be here any moment.”

  Elizabeth walked to her desk. I’ll try to call them first.”

  “Only use the phone and computer for what you have to. Don’t touch anything else.” Joseph looked at me and placed his hands on my arms. “I need to call Phil. Are you okay?”

  I nodded and watched as he went to the break room to make the call. I looked at the chairs and made sure nothing was underneath them before I sat down. I would’ve preferred to stand, but my legs weren’t going to hold me up much longer.

  In my heart I knew it meant Austin had been to the office, but I’d hoped it was a sick coincidence, and the rest of the building had similar pranks.

  I jumped up when Elizabeth screamed. “What’s wrong?”

  She placed her hand to her chest and was breathing hard. “It was just a spider. Scared the shit out of me, but I’m fine. I got in touch with one client, but Joseph’s client didn’t answer.”

  Joseph had walked back in as Elizabeth finished speaking. “I’ll wait for her by the elevators. Phil and Aaron will be here momentarily. They’re outside now.”

  Joseph and I spent the better part of the morning in the break room canceling our appointments. We wanted to reschedule, but we weren’t sure what we were doing with the office. Joseph had been on the phone with the property management to explain the situation and asked if they had other office space we could use, but they hadn’t gotten back to him yet.

  Phil and Aaron walked in with somber looks on their faces. I adjusted myself in my seat and prepared to hear whatever was on Phil’s mind. It didn’t look to be good news.

  “He’s escalating. You need to shut down the practice.”

  Joseph held my hand. He didn’t want it to close any more than I did. We needed to be available for our clients. “We can’t move to a different location?”

  “I don’t see how it would prevent him from striking there. You’ll have to post flyers for your relocation, which will give him the information along with your clients. I know it isn’t ideal or convenient, but it is for your safety, and that’s my top priority.”

  I squeezed Joseph’s hand. “Could we have a few minutes?”

  Phil and Aaron shared a look before turning back to us. Aaron spoke first. “Sure, but you need to know snakes weren’t the only things found in your office. He left a note under the snakes. He’s ready. He’s coming for you.”

  Phil stepped forward. “We need to place you in protective custody. I understand you were worried about your clients, but now he’s involving them by bringing this stuff to the office. You need to protect them by keeping your distance.”

  I nodded. “I don’t want this touching my clients’ lives at all.”

  Phil exhaled and relaxed his shoulders. It seemed he was prepared to put up a fight if I refused as I had refused the hotel offer.

  “I’m going wherever she goes. What do we do?”

  He still had ahold of my hand. I put my other hand on top of his. “Joseph, he isn’t
after you. Your clients can still be helped.”

  “Not from a man who’s worried about the woman in his life. I’ll be in no condition to help them. I need to be with you.”

  I was relieved he wanted to stay with me to protect me, but I felt guilty for taking him from his clients. They needed him, too.

  “We’ll plan to use your house. We’ve had twenty-four hour monitoring of it ever since Lindsey stayed that first night. It’s as secure as any other place we could find.”

  Joseph nodded.

  Phil slipped his hands into his pockets. “The only thing is, we’ll want to keep someone inside at all times.”

  Joseph sat up straight. “Why is that necessary?”

  “If he happens to break the perimeter, we’ll have someone there to help. He has nothing to lose. He’s going to take risks.”

  “We aren’t going to be able to leave the house, are we?” I was going to be held prisoner while the escaped killer roamed free.

  “I think it’s best if you stay put. It’s only a matter of time now before he makes his move. He’s bored with the chase, and since he’s perfected his torture of you on other victims, there will be no stopping him until he’s either caught or succeeded in his plan.”

  Joseph put his arm around me when chills went through my body. “I have one request before we voluntarily go on lockdown.”

  Phil tilted his head. “It depends what it is, but I’ll do my best to accommodate.”

  “There is no debate about this. We’ll go with or without you.”

  Phil crossed his arms. He didn’t like having to do what other people said, but Joseph couldn’t have cared less. He was going to get his way.

  I held the door open as Joseph carried the last of the groceries inside. It was so sweet of him to remember that my mother had asked us over for dinner. I was used to having dinner with her at least once a week, but it’d been several weeks since I was last able to.

  “I have plenty of food. I could’ve taken something out and fixed it for you.” My mother was happy to see us, but preferred to take care of people rather than people taking care of her.

  “It’s my pleasure, Teresa. You two sit and talk while I cook dinner for you.” Joseph smiled as he disappeared into the kitchen.

  “I know it’s a little early, Mom, but Joseph said the dinner will take a little while to cook. It should be closer to a normal dinnertime for us.”

  She motioned for me to follow her into the living room. “I know how long a good meal takes. Now, while he’s in there, talk to me about what’s going on with you two.”

  I blushed and turned to sit on the sofa. I could talk to my mom about anything and had, but this relationship with Joseph was nothing like I’d ever experienced before. The sex was crazy, but so was the beat in my heart for him.

  She sat next to me. “Oh, my. You’re completely in love with him.” She leaned forward and held my hands. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “I really am. I think he’s warming up to the idea of us being a couple.”

  “My dear, he’s just as crazy about you as you are about him. Sometimes it just takes guys a little longer to figure it out.”

  “Or to get their shit together,” I mumbled.

  “Joseph has his shit together. He’s just afraid to use it.”

  I looked at my mom and tilted my head. There was more confidence behind that statement than just a mother trying to make her child feel better.

  I took a sharp inhale as it registered, and I sat up straight. “What do you know?”

  She got up and messed with her photos she displayed on the mantel. “He seems to be a mature adult who knows what he wants out of life. He’s an excellent psychologist, and he knows how to treat you like a lady. That’s all I need to know.”

  I crossed my arms. “I’m not buying it. You know something. I haven’t a clue how you know it, but you do.”

  She came back over and put her hand on my knee. “It’s Joseph’s story to tell. He’ll tell you when he’s ready, and it will mean so much more to learn it from him.”

  I nodded. “You’re right. He’s starting to tell me things, but I don’t want him to rush it and regret it. He’s been so blocked off for so long that I’m afraid he’ll shut down the moment the words leave his lips.”

  “He may for a little while, but I don’t think he’ll be able to keep away from you for long.” She tapped my knee before sitting back and getting comfortable. “Now, what was that blush about?”

  I smiled and blushed again. If my mom was going to keep secrets from me, she’d have to respect my decision to not tell her everything, either.

  I had just washed my hands from preparing the chicken, and my phone rang. I was hoping it was Phil stating they had found Austin, but I knew it wouldn’t be.

  “Hello.”

  “You answered?” Grant was surprised. “I figured you’d be with a client.”

  “Then why did you call?”

  “Well, I was going to leave a message.”

  I smiled. “Okay, I’ll hang up and not answer when you call back.”

  “Don’t you dare hang up that phone. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you since you called the other night. I wanted to know how you were doing.”

  “Just a second.” I put the phone down and placed the chicken into the oven. I set the timer, picked up the phone, and stepped outside the back door for privacy. “I’m back.”

  “You’re not working today?”

  “I was, but there was an incident at the office.” I sighed. “That man made his way into the office last night and placed snakes in Lindsey’s desk.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “Yes, we’re at her mother’s. We’re in protective custody starting today.”

  “We?” I heard Grant shut his office door. He must have wanted privacy, as well. “You’re staying with her?”

  “Yes, I need to protect her.” I sat at the patio table and leaned forward on my elbows. “I kissed her, Grant. A big, wet, tongue-fucking kiss.”

  “Well, you didn’t explode, so that’s a good sign. I mean, I’m not talking to your ghost, am I?” His laughter at his own joke made me close my eyes. He often told me I was being ridiculous to still hold on to what my father taught me. When I didn’t laugh back, he stopped laughing. “What’s the trouble, Joseph? Didn’t she kiss you back?”

  “Yes, she did.” I closed my eyes and spoke low as if saying the words were going to end my life as I knew it. “I’m falling in love with her, and I don’t know what’s going to happen to me.”

  “Listen to me, Joe. Do you remember the last time you said those words to me? None of us knows what’s going to happen to us any day we wake up. Hell, we don’t even know if we’ll wake up. All I can tell you is life is too short to worry about what’s going to happen. She may rip your heart out and stomp on it. She may love you for the rest of your life. All I can promise you is that you will always have somewhere to go.”

  It had to be a dream. It had to be. I couldn’t be sitting in the hallway of the hospital, wondering what was going to happen to me. I should’ve been in bed, resting for the tests I had coming up. Senior year was the year I was going to decide my future, but it looked as if my future was being decided for me.

  I didn’t look at the man who sat next to me. I kept my head in my hands as I stared at the floor between my legs. I was sure to have bruises with my elbows hitting my bouncing knees, but I couldn’t keep still. I wanted to run. I wanted to change my name and go somewhere where no one knew how fucked up my life was. The people around me may not have known, but I would’ve. My father’s words and actions would stay with me forever, no matter where I went.

  The man stayed next to me for what seemed like an eternity and didn’t say a word. There were plenty of seats along the hospital hallway. He had to be security. After what had happened that night, they should be watchful of the son with the crazy parents.

  I sat up with my eyes closed and banged my head on the wall be
hind me. I didn’t have those crazy parents anymore. I had no one.

  An arm came around me and pulled me to him. “You’ve been hurt enough, Joe. Hurting yourself will do you no good.”

  The man with the familiar voice who always calmed me before was doing his best to calm me then, but hearing I had someone safe with me only made matters worse. I allowed myself to feel for the first time since they told me both of my parents were dead.

  I wrapped my arms around Grant and gripped his shirt so tight I swore I heard it rip. I couldn’t let the one person left in my life be taken away, too, but I knew it was a matter of time before they kicked me out of the hospital. My parents were dead. I had no reason to be there.

  He would go home to his wife and kids, and I’d be left to fend for myself. At eighteen and the only family I had dead, there was no help for me. After I was questioned, I was told I could leave, but I couldn’t return home yet until the investigation was over. I’d have to find somewhere else to go.

  I had nowhere else.

  “Come on.” He tried to stand, but I still clung to him, not wanting to be alone. “Let’s get you home.”

  I wiped my eyes and sat back in the chair. “I can’t go back there.”

  “You’re not.” He stood. “Come on. You’re coming home with me.”

  I looked at the hand that was held out in front of me and had a choice to make. I looked down the hallway where my dead parents were and back to the hand of the man who’d always helped me.

  Did I go home with him and see how the happy families of the world lived?

  Or did I start the life I would inevitably be forced to live when his wife got sick of the crazy kid hanging around?

  He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. He always seemed to know what I was thinking. “You’re not your father. You deserve a better life than what he showed you. Let me show you how it can be.”