Chapter 28 – Dark Shadow

Timo held the door open to the limo as he waited for them to enter. "I hope you had a good time," Timo said, though his expression remained flat.

"What's wrong?" Charlotte asked, stopping right before climbing in.

"Get in first; we can talk on the way home."

"Okay, if you say so," she sighed and got into the back of the limo.

Timo gripped Eric's shoulder. "I hope you protected her tonight and stayed by her side."

"Uh, for the most part," Eric swallowed hard.

"I'm unscathed, Timo; stop picking on him," Charlotte said and reached out to pull Eric in.

"Fine, but if I find you injured in any way mentally or physically, he's in for a rough training session," Timo slammed the door shut and got into the driver's seat. He gripped the steering wheel tightly as they drove off.

"So, what's wrong, Timo?" Charlotte asked.

"I had someone go to the hospital to alter the records, but there was someone else already there. From the description they gave me, it's the reporter who was lurking around your building, Melissa Wheeler. I suspect she's working for Dean."

"Are you saying it's too late? They know?"

"It is likely they got pictures of you visiting him on the security videos and a record of his injury. I surmise it's only a matter of time before everything is pieced together. I'm sorry; I failed to get rid of it all. Thinking back, I should've done it right away."

"N-now what?" Eric clenched his fists. "If it comes out that you hit me with your car and then took me in... it's not going to look good."

"Can we pay her off? Pay her more than Dean would," Charlotte suggested.

"I'm afraid he has a hold of her. She refused our money, and seemed afraid, so he'll know soon."

"Assuming they piece it together."

"He will look for video footage from nearby looking for the accident so he can prove it."

"And if he gets it?" Eric asked.

"He'll blackmail Charlotte with it, no doubt about it. He'll want her hand, or shares of her business; anything he can get his grubby little hands on."

She's going to be ruined because she ran into me? Eric sat in a daze, staring at the empty space in front of him, unblinking. "There has to be a way to fix it, right?"

"I don't know what we can do. Once again, this prick screws with your life. I'm sorry I didn't end this all back in the day with a better beating."

"If you did that, you likely would've been put in jail," Charlotte leaned her head on Eric's shoulder. "Even if everything comes out, we'll still stick together. A car accident may have brought us together, but that doesn't change how we feel about each other now, right?"

"Why do you like me?" Eric asked, surprising even himself.

"What? Why would you ask that? Is it what Dean said to you?" she gazed up at him, her brows furrowed.

"It's just... He's right about some things, and I know you like me, but I can't say why."

"Does it even matter?" Timo asked. "Sometimes you can't even pinpoint why you fall for someone, you just do. Some fall instantly, and others fall slowly. Everyone's different, and we'd both appreciate if you didn't do anything to make her second guess her feelings for you. Don't let Dean get into your head with his drivel. He'll say anything to get what he wants."

"Timo's right, and there are many reasons why I like you, but it's hard to put in words. Right now, I'd rather focus on getting Dean out of our life, or at least getting him to back off."

Eric nodded. "Okay..." I have a bad feeling about this.

Charlotte cuddled up to him, hoping he wouldn't keep over thinking things like she always did. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep.

A while later, they arrived home. Timo pulled their auction items out of the trunk, which they had sent to him while they were eating dinner.

"Char," Eric whispered to her. She must've been exhausted; maybe I shouldn't wake her. He carefully laid her head down before lifting her up, cradling her in his arms. Timo made sure he got out without her hitting the car door.

"Are you well enough to carry her to her room?" Timo asked.

"Yes." You'd think with our training, he'd trust I've healed.

"If you drop her or run her into anything on the way, I'll make sure—"

"You torture me with your training, I know."

"No, I'll beat the crap outta you," Timo closed the door and went to hold the door open. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"Nothing..." I was planning to be extra careful, anyway. But damn, Timo is terrifying. Eric shuddered as he walked past him.

Eric carried her upstairs and laid her down in her bed. He pulled off her shoes and carefully tucked her in bed. "Sleep well, Char," he kissed her forehead and left.

"I put the items you bid on in your room," Timo said as he came out of Eric's room.

"Thank you..." Eric flinched back under his gaze. "I set her safely into bed, so why are you glaring at me?"

"Because I'm at a loss, Eric. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help her, and I don't know what's going to happen next. Every scenario that's played in my head hasn't ended well. I want to protect her, but I don't know how to this time." Timo paced beside him in the hall. "How could I be so careless? I should've gotten rid of it long ago..."

Eric grabbed his shoulders, forcing Timo to face him. "This situation isn't your fault, Timo. You have been taking care of Charlotte, but you can't shield her from every situation. We can't give up—"

"I'd never give up. Who do you take me for?" Timo swatted his hands away. "I'm just panicking, that's all."

"Maybe you should go rest for the night, and try to think some more in the morning?"

"Don't you get it? We don't have time. We don't know how long until Dean knows the truth, and then who knows how long it'll be until he takes action. There's no way I can sleep right now."

"Well, pacing down the hall isn't going to help any."

"I know," Timo hissed at him and he stepped back with his hands held up.

"Seeing as I'm no help here—"

"No kidding."

"I'm going to go lie down, and hope I can sleep."

"Fine, whatever," Timo stormed off.

So much for staying on his good side.

Eric sighed as he pulled his tie loose. Instead of getting changed, he flopped face first into bed and closed his eyes.