Hyde, an Urban Fantasy (23 page)

He whipped his head toward her, his voice cutting the air. “No, I don’t think we do, Jolie.”

She flinched, eyes huge. “Get in the cage. He’s here.”

He turned away and took a deep breath. “Sorry.”

She was right—his vision was different, darker. He’d never felt Hyde come on so quickly, so ferociously. Usually, by this point, Mitch wasn’t even awake. Was he seeing the world as Hyde did? Through Hyde’s eyes? He shook his head to try to focus. “Lock me up and keep Eden occupied for a little while. Until
he’s
ready.”

Mitch ripped off his suit, dropping it on the floor as he walked into the cage. His prison cell—complete with wall-to-wall steel bars and a metal bed that was bolted to the floor—welcomed the beast within him. God, he hated his life. He sat down on the hard mattress and secured his ankles into the thick metal cuffs at the bottom corners of the bed.

Jolie set the keys on the small table next to the armchair. She walked to the cage, hesitating at the door.

“It’s alright. I’m alright. But I don’t know for how much longer.” The pain had lessened, now just a growl versus a roar. “Maybe I’ll have a good night’s sleep here, and Hyde won’t even make an appearance. Everything will be back to . . . normal.”

She stepped in and gingerly took each of his hands, closing them into cuffs just above his head, leaving Hyde no way of hurting himself or anyone else. “You’re being too nice to her. It’s making you
better
during the times when you’re
you
. And making Hyde much worse. It needs to stop.”

He nodded, understanding why she waited until he was locked up before having this conversation with him.

“I don’t know why you’re even showing her. Or telling her, for that matter.” The volume of her voice increased and she used her hands to accentuate each point. “What if she goes to the police? Have you even thought of that?”

“She won’t.”

“Why not? How do you know that she won’t be Miss Goody-Two-Shoes and tell someone?”

“I don’t. Not for sure, anyway.”

“Mitchell, this is a really bad idea. You need to stay away from her. Whatever her issues are or”—she took a deep breath and put her hands on her hips—“whatever is going on between you two is not worth it. You need to get her out of your system. Just screw her and then send her away.”

Seeing Jolie lose her temper was a new thing for him. He’d given her plenty of chances to do so. But she’d never bit. “It’s not—”

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s not her! You have been in control of him for as long as I’ve known you. You’re a jerk. I know that. But then this chick starts coming around and you change. Christ, you’re even nicer to me. That’s how it works, isn’t it?”

He nodded. “I think so.” It was a theory he’d held onto for so long, but had always been afraid to test. Now Eden was forcing that test.

“So why are you keeping her around? Why can’t you just keep it me and—” She swallowed and looked at the door like she’d heard or seen something he hadn’t. “Are you absolutely sure you want her here?”

“Yes.”

“I want it to be on the record that I believe this is the stupidest thing you have ever done. And that’s saying a lot.”

“Duly noted.”

“So what should I tell her once she sees Hyde?”

Eden found Carter pacing on the front lawn, obscenities hitting the air with every few strides. Headlights momentarily blinded her in succession as cars filled with confused party guests took impolite turns backing out of the driveway, an occasional blaring horn disturbing the stillness of the night.

“Carter?”

His body tensed even further when he looked up at her.

She jogged down the steps. “It’s going to be okay. Jolie is staying too. I think he’s just sick and wants me to wait around until he feels well-enough to talk.” Okay, so she knew there had to be more to it than that, but not knowing for sure brought her denial into full bloom. Enough impossible had entered her life, she held on to the wee bit of reality she could.

“If he touches you . . .”

“This isn’t about touching me. This is about helping me, remember? He seems to know all about multiples and is the only help I have.” When Carter flinched, she squeezed his hand. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just . . . You are my rock, but you can’t always do everything for me. I need to figure this out for myself, and Mitch is helping me to do that. He’s not replacing you.”

“I know. I just don’t like him. He’s sneaky and . . . there’s something wrong with him.”

“There’s a lot wrong with him.” She smiled. “I promise I won’t fall asleep. And I’ll call you if anything weird happens. Okay?”

“I don’t want to leave you. Eden, listen. There’s this clinic. I think they can help you.”

“Okay. Maybe. Let me hear what Mitch has to say first. Then I’ll come home, and we can talk about it. I won’t stay the night. Maybe Jolie can drive me.”

He gripped her hands in his. “Okay. Make sure she stays close to you the whole time.”

“You got it. I’ll be stuck to her like Elmer’s.”

“Crazy.”

She arched an eyebrow and grumbled, “Thanks.”

He chuckled and gently lifted her chin. “I meant the glue—Crazy Glue. Elmer’s takes too long to dry.”

When his lips met hers, she blinked and then closed her eyes. He hadn’t kissed her in a long time, like, a long, long time. She knew this was his way of claiming her, and she let him. He deserved more than she could ever give him. She wished it wasn’t that way, but it was. One kiss was the least she could do.

But something about the kiss brought everything to bare—she was leading him on. She’d been using him, purposefully ignoring his desires. Because she was afraid that once she actually said the words, “I’m
never
going to feel the way you want me to. Never,” that he would leave her. And she’d be alone. What kind of person would do that? What kind of person had she been this whole time?

She let him kiss her, knowing that it was goodbye. She needed to push him away—not physically, but emotionally. But it would take a big push. And she knew exactly how to do it.

He pulled back and rubbed his lips together as if he was still tasting her. “Thank you.”

She nodded, saddened by the fact that while he was kissing her she was thinking of another. Not for her—for him. She thought about the beautiful woman whose hip she planned on spending the evening attached to. Maybe Jolie would be able to give him more than she could. They’d obviously been attracted to each other—Eden had seen it when they met. Maybe it was six years too late, but she would step aside and get him to focus on his own needs for a while. She smiled at him. She’d make him find his own happiness and be someone else’s rock. It was the twenty-fifth hour.

He gave her hand one last squeeze and headed down the driveway. “Be safe, Eden. And stay close to Jolie. She’ll protect you.”

“I will.”

It was encouraging that he seemed to click with Jolie so well. Yep, Jolie was the perfect choice for him. Once he’d turned the corner and she couldn’t see him anymore, Eden turned back to the door.

Jolie was standing there, watching her. Or watching them. And whatever she’d seen didn’t seem to have made her happy. The scowl on her face left Eden unsure if she’d have a friend tonight.

Eden made her way back to the house. “Did I do something wrong?”

Jolie walked away from her. “Come on.”

With a glance up the stairs, wondering why they weren’t going back to Mitch, Eden followed Jolie into the kitchen like a puppy without a home. The caterers had left their gear and extra food on the counters. Jolie must have been screaming. Eden ate a shrimp puff.

“Jolie?”

“It's nothing personal, Eden. I just don't know why he's telling you at all.”

“Since I have no idea what’s going on, maybe we should go check on him and ask.”

“In a minute. I want to get a drink first.” Jolie grabbed an open bottle of champagne and a tall glass from one of the cabinets. “You want some?”

Eden gaped as Jolie filled the glass to the rim. “Sure, but a little less than that—like only a
half
a gallon.”

Jolie shrugged, grabbed a small cup and filled it half-way. “Here. You’ll probably need more though.” She took a large gulp.

Eden took a sip. The bubbles hit her nose and she tossed her head, trying to shake them out.

“Not a big drinker, huh?” Jolie asked.

“Not really. Never tried champagne either.”

Jolie turned the bottle around and looked at the label. “Nice one to start with.” Then she tipped it over and let the remainder drip into her glass. “So . . . tell me about yourself.”

“Um . . .” Eden thought about what she could tell this woman, who obviously didn’t like her, something trivial but that sounded important. “I’m starting law school this fall.”

Jolie coughed on her bubbly. “Law school?” She laughed. “Really?”

“Yeah. Is that funny?”

Jolie’s smile faded. “No, not particularly. It’s just so . . .
ordinary
. Are you going to chase ambulances?”

She hadn’t even started school and lawyer jokes were old. “Nah, I don’t run fast enough.”

“So what kind of law are you going to do?”

She knew Jolie didn’t really care, so she kept it simple. “I haven’t decided.”

Jolie yawned. “What else?”

Eden didn’t know what to offer up that wouldn’t bore Jolie further. Then she remembered what she’d been considering a few minutes before. “Carter’s funny. He’s nice too.” She looked at the other woman expectantly.

“Yeah, he seems like he is. Have you been together long?”

“We’re not really together. Not in the traditional sense, at least.” She traced a finger around the rim of her glass. “We have a weird relationship.”

“Sounds familiar.”

Eden didn’t know what that meant, but continued. “We’re friends—best friends. We met during a tough time for both of us and have each other’s backs, you know what I mean?”

“Exactly.” Jolie finished her glass and went to the fridge in search of another bottle. “Damn, those people can drink.”

Eden glanced behind her and saw a cardboard box stamped with the same name that was on the bottle. She peeked inside and pulled out a full bottle, holding it up like a prize. “Ah-ha! We might need to ration it though, there’s only one more in the box.”

“Warm champagne—my favorite.”

When Jolie grinned, Eden joined her, happy she’d broken through a chunk of the ice that stood between them.

“I really shouldn’t let you drink too much. Mitchell wouldn’t be happy.” She covered the bottle with a cloth towel and popped it open, sending a spray of champagne foam into the towel and onto the floor. Looking at the mess at her feet, she whispered, “I won’t tell if you won’t,” and winked.

Eden followed her into the living room where Jolie topped off both their glasses, sat down and put her feet up on the coffee table.

“Make yourself at home. I do.”

Eden sat back into the leather couch, brushed off her bare feet and awkwardly put them on the table. “Do you spend a lot of time here?” she asked, wondering why she felt a competitive clench in her chest.

“I practically live here. I’m more like his wife than his assistant.” Jolie cocked an eyebrow and tilted her head. “Minus the sex, of course.”

Eden covered her sigh of relief with an, “Oh.”

“We're kind of like you and Carter are, I guess. Friends with
out
benefits. But Mitchell and I have very few secrets between us,” Jolie said.

Eden’s cheeks heated. What did Jolie know about the secrets she kept from Carter?

They drank in silence, Eden taking tiny sips and Jolie emptying her own glass at least two more times.