Chapter 16 - Demons

The old monster purred a delightful roar once Dane turned the key into the ignition. Cranky engines and crisp, blackened hands reminded him of old times. Back when he used to spend hours studying and taking after his father.

Dane's expert hands were gifted by his father who when growing up, made it a point to teach his son all of the basics of fishing, hunting, cars, and you name it. That man was gifted with all the heart and knowledge that could fill a body.

Unwrapped and forgotten because he was too righteous for his own good. Ventured too deep into the point of no return. But that was injustice done to him. Injustice that fueled Dane's resolve to keep moving forward.

He wiped my hands onto the towel and flicked off the sweat at his forehead. A whole hour had gone by dabbling with the monster's guts until the treacherous engine decided to play its dutiful role.

"You look just like your father standing there working under the hood," Bailey whispered, barely audible as a horse galloped beside the old monster.

Bailey stood against the tavern's door frame with arms crossed, eyes sad. Eyes so sad that Dane wondered if they would ever look at him the same again. Probably not. When she looked at him she would only be reminded of the painful memories.

"That's to be expected. I am my father's son."

"Ha," she laughed, narrowing her eyes at him. "You also have your mothers sharp tongue, though she gets that from your grandfather."

"Why do you keep talking about the past?"

"Should we talk about the future then? How long will you be staying?"

"No longer than tonight."

Dane wasn't supposed to show himself until the next month. Not until he gathered enough of what he needed to make his grand appearance. Thanks to the tempting little fugitive that ruined his plans.

Ruined him for good. She's different than all the women he had grace his bed. Real, and goods too precious even for his own sake. He couldn't stop thinking about her.

Couldn't stop thinking about driving back this instant, pushing her back onto the furry sheets, and taking her as his all over again until they were both breathless from otherworldly passion.

"Stay," she pleaded. "Dane, you're welcome to stay with me for as long as you want. Prisana too."

The thought was wonderful. The both of them, delving deep into more sweet escapes. More beautiful lies that he could be capable of giving her.

"I'll consider it."

"Who is she to you? You can't fool your Nana. I know she's anything but your fiancé."

Who was Prisana to him? She was someone who came unwanted, knocking straight into his walls without warning. Without caring that he wanted to see her again. Without knowing that he wanted to hear her story.

All because the beast inside refused to give away any of his real emotions.

"She's no one to me," he finally said. "Not the fiancé I claim to love. Merely a stranger. I only met her two days ago."

"You say that and yet here you are, still here."

Dane motioned toward the old monster. Bailey smiled and for the first time in a while, he saw those irises dissipate to contentment. Suddenly it was the same Nana that would look at him with compassion.

The same Nana who read storybooks to him at night and tucked him in until demons disappeared. He felt like that boy again who vied for his grandmother's love and attention but only now it was different. The demons found him and they were here to stay in the long run.

"Sometimes you don't have to know someone very long to be in love. It can be months. Days. Instantaneously. Before you even know it."

"Love is painful. I think I'm better off without."

"Love is worth the pain."

"Not Prisana. She doesn't deserve the pain I'll give her."

Not that bastards. Not his. No one's.

"Listen, I don't know what happened and how you two happened to meet but she's a sweet girl. I can see she cares about you even if it's only a little. Don't hurt her Dane," Bailey warned, to no avail.

Too late, Dane wanted to tell her. Last night he broke her. He ruined her for good. She asked him to. Even if she didn't he would still have broke and ruined her all the same until she begged him to.

That was the kind of beast he was. Bailey didn't press him for further answers. Dane wouldn't give her any further answers.

Only promises that he would be back. All she could do now was to hang on to that promise. A promise he would do anything to fulfill even if that meant sacrificing his soul to the devil himself to escape the demons.