Sanctuary (Blood Bound Book 9)

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2Chad pulled into the driveway of Trevor’s apartment and parked beside Evey. He turned off the car and sat back for a moment thinking about everything that had happened in the last couple weeks. Between him and his sister, he didn’t know who was the most screwed up now… well okay, he’d let Envy win that one. Still, his hadn't been a cake walk either.

Just the thought that he’d been killed and brought back to life by Kriss and Dean was nothing less than harrowing. It gave him the chills knowing he was supposed to be buried in a cemetery somewhere… over… done. In short, it scared the crap out of him. To make matters worse, neither Fallen seemed to know what the consequences of their actions would be on future events.

He’d gone back to PIT headquarters to get his duffel bag and luckily caught Ren alone in his office. He’d taken the opportunity to again ask Ren if there was anything he should be aware of. Unfortunately, the all-knowing Ren didn’t know anything more than Kriss and Dean and it grated a little bit on Chad’s nerves.

At this rate, he would probably spend the next few weeks walking on eggshells to make sure nothing else happened… but in his line of work, that was never a guarantee. Chad had finally just shrugged it off and decided he was just as human now as he’d ever been and to hell with the unknown. The decision had actually taken a load off his shoulders.

“Hello Chad,” Evey’s soft voice called over to him.

Chad looked out the passenger window and smiled, “Hey Evey.” He got out of the car and walked over to her driver’s side door. When her window rolled down, he leaned against it pretending he was actually talking to a person, although his gaze was focused on the lit up dash. “How are you doing?”

“When you look this lovely, it’s hard not to feel good,” Evey answered making Chad’s smile widen.

“I can’t argue with that logic,” Chad said running his hand across her roof.

“Trevor left the key to the front door in my dash,” she opened the passenger door. “It’s all yours.”

Chad stepped back when the door came ajar then slid in the front seat to open the glove compartment. “How’s Trevor doing?”

Evey sighed, “I’m afraid Trevor isn’t here… he said something about letting off some steam by kicking some bad guy butt.”

Chad frowned, that sounded like Trevor but why didn’t he take Evey?

“Why aren’t you with him?” he asked putting a voice to his curiosity.

“He said he needed to be alone for a while,” Evey answered. “He’s upset because he’s afraid the conflict between him and Devon will upset Envy and cause her to lose the baby.”

Chad shook his head, “I don’t think it’ll come to that. Both of them are hard headed but they’d never intentionally hurt Envy.”

“He loves her,” Evey said sounding almost sad.

Chad nodded, “Yeah, I know.”

“So instead of thinking about Devon, he’s gone to take his pain out on something else?” Evey wanted clarification of the mystery of human nature. The more she learned the more curious she became.

“Why didn’t you follow him?” Chad asked avoiding her question. He had a feeling he knew which team Evey was on when it came to the two men.

“My scanners can only track him when he’s in human form. Trevor knows that and wanted to give me the slip. Before he left, he transformed into an owl and flew away,” Evey explained.

Chad retrieved the apartment key out of the glove compartment and went back to his car to get his duffel bag. Leaning back against his car, he gazed at Evey liking the car more and more every time he came in contact with her. “I guess there isn’t too much we can do about it then, is there?”

Evey sighed, “I guess not.”

Chad stood there a moment and took in the slightly dusty appearance of Evey’s body and smiled. “How would you like a nice bath and waxing?”

Evey started humming and Chad nodded, “One Sexton bath coming up… as soon as I change.”

“Chad,” Evey called as he approached the door.

Chad looked over his shoulder, “Yes?”

“Don’t wear a shirt,” Evey purred.

“Ah, you want the Sexton Sexy Special do you?” Chad appeared to think about it then winked at the beautiful car, “I think that can be arranged.”

Evey continued purring.

*****

Envy walked into Kriss’ penthouse apartment and immediately sank into the familiar comfort of the sofa. She already missed Devon… missed Chad… and every time she even started to think about Trevor she wanted to cry. The only reason she wasn’t crying was because of the baby… it had a calming effect on her. Mix it all together and honestly, she was starting to feel a bit numb.

Dean gave Kriss an odd look but Kriss shook his head, silently telling Dean that he’d explain everything later.

“This is a first rate mess,” Envy said softly and grabbed one of the throw pillows to hug.

Kriss sighed, “It’s not your fault that any of this happened Envy. Devon’s just gonna have to get it through his thick skull that he can’t attack the father of your baby at random.”

Envy lowered her chin to the pillow and hugged it a bit tighter, “He… he promised he wouldn’t attack Trevor.”

“When?” Kriss asked, curious as to why a promise like that had even been made.

“After we got back from that vacation with you and Tabby… they fought in Chad’s front yard. After that, I made him promise not to start anything with Trevor because I didn’t want to see either one of them hurt.” She bit her bottom lip feeling heaviness in her chest. They hadn't hurt each other but she was pretty sure she’d hurt both of them enough to make up for that.

Dean frowned, “Maybe you should remind your kitty cat of that promise.”

“Dean,” Kriss said warningly.

“What?” Dean demanded softly. “If Santos loves the girl then he should prove it by keeping his word.”

Envy exhaled loudly, “Dean does have a point Kriss.”

“Point or not, I don’t think this is the proper time to be saying it,” Kriss griped.

“If not now, then when? I have to start thinking about the little guy,” Envy said quietly. “I don’t think the club would be a good place to raise a child. I mean, it worked for Devon and his family… but I don’t want to bring my little boy up in a night club.”

“Of course not,” Kriss agreed “But what do you want to do, move back in with Chad?”

Envy whipped her head back and forth, “Oh hell no. Chad has enough to deal with. Last thing he needs is to take on my problems. Besides… he’s already living with the baby’s daddy. No, I think until everything settles down, I’m just going to pretend I’m a single parent.”

“Another apartment perhaps?” Dean offered before Kriss was stupid enough to suggest she stay with them… permanently.

Envy shrugged, “It’s an idea, but I always hoped I’d have a home when I finally decided to have children.”

Kriss’ expression immediately perked up, “HOUSE HUNTING!”

His outburst startled Envy making her snap her head up and blink owlishly at him. “House hunting?”

“Sure,” Kriss said. “You don’t want to be at the club when the baby is born, right? Finding a house and filling it with furniture and baby stuff would be perfect for getting your mind off things.”

“But where am I going to get the money for a new house?” Envy asked. “I make good money working at Moon Dance… but not that much.”

Kriss smiled reassuringly and gently took her hand, “Honey… that’s the last thing you have to worry about. I’ll help you get the house of your dreams if that’s what you want… and don’t you dare give me a hard time about it. That’s my godchild in there.”

To Envy’s amusement, he again pointed down at her lower tummy. She gave in to the smile but shook her head, “I can’t do that to you Kriss… and you don’t have that much money… do you? I mean… I’m a bartender and you’re a part time stripper.”

“The only reason I bother stripping is because it’s fun. I’ve got a savings account, stocks, bonds, and a few other things I’m not sure of the names,” Kriss said sounding almost ditzy. “I don’t really know anymore… but the man at the bank keeps referring to me as his favorite billionaire.”

“You are such a moron,” Envy said with a giggle and threw a pillow at him.

“Ow,” Kriss deadpanned when the pillow hit him in the face.

Dean hid his smirk knowing this was exactly what Kriss needed… someone to take care of, even if it was only for a short while. They were both bad for picking up charity cases it seemed.

He blocked out the playful bickering of his roommates and gazed down at the unforgiving city from the huge penthouse window. It was obvious Kriss was going to be busy for a while with Envy and in the end… Envy would have the security her and the baby needed. This was the perfect opportunity for him to once again stalk the Fallen hybrid that had been trapped with Misery.

Dean had found him completely by accident and since then had silently kept a discrete eye on him from a distance. After a few days of watching, Dean began leaving him small items such as fresh clothing, blankets, and an occasional edible from the nearby deli. The food wasn’t always eaten but then… human food was not a necessity. They could live with or without it. The clothing and blankets were taken each time though.

So far, the hybrid hadn’t exhibited any evil tendencies and avoided the other demons like the plague. It was a good sign of the hybrid’s mental state… but things had a tendency to change if such creatures were left alone for too long.

From what Dean had observed, the hybrid was more Fallen than demon and he’d bet his own billions of dollars that he could get the hybrid to trust him if given some more time. If that happened, then maybe he could save him from the strangeness of this world he’d suddenly been released into.

He closed his eyes remembering the man’s tears as he’d burst from the cave wall and fled into the night. That had been the clincher… demons do not cry.

“I’m going out for a while,” Dean said suddenly and headed for the door.

“Get some chocolate syrup while you’re out,” Kriss called out before Dean made it to the door.

Dean paused and glanced back at him, “Chocolate syrup, why in the world do you want that?”

“Chocolate milk,” Kriss and Envy said simultaneously.

Dean shook his head and left the penthouse, closing the door on amused giggling.

After the door closed Envy looked up at Kriss, “I didn’t bring any clothes with me and I’m starting to get sleepy. It’s been a long day… and night. Do you have anything I can change into?”

Kriss nodded, “In the second bedroom.” He pointed at a closed door then winked at Envy, “that’s where I sleep when I’m pissed off at Dean. The dresser in there has some of my larger shirts and a few pairs of boxers… help yourself.”

“Do you guys fight often?” Envy said worriedly, not wanting to take Kriss’ refuge away from him.

“Only when he’s being a d**k,” Kriss smirked then jerked his thumb toward another closed door. “That’s his spare room if I run him off.”

Envy couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re a nut… you know that?”

“My life’s ambition,” Kriss sighed playfully then started for the kitchen. He needed to make a new grocery list before his and Envy’s cravings started kicking in. He stopped in mid stride and turned toward the front door. Scratch the list… he wanted pickles right now. “I’m going to clean out the grocery store… don’t wait up.”

Envy waited until he was gone before slowly getting off the sofa to go check out her room. Closing the door behind her, she opened the dresser and giggled at some of the shirts he had in there. Some were cute with little baby animals on them, some had funny phrases, and others were just solid colors. Choosing a plain black shirt and a pair of Sponge Bob boxers, she placed them on the bed and lifted her shirt over her head.