Order of the Omni: A Supernatural Romantic Suspense Novel (The Immortalies Book 1) Penny Knight (100 best novels of all time TXT) 📖

“What the hell are you doing here?” There’s no denying it, I’m shocked. Flabbergasted to say the least.

He looks hurt at my words.

Instantly, I feel bad. Then I remember I haven’t heard from him in five years and I recover quickly. Still, I’m completely confused.

I look at Topher.

His face gives it away. Something more is going on. His mouth is wide open, eyes wide, and he’s frozen in place. When he sees me looking at him, he sheepishly ducks.

“Why would you think I wouldn’t find you? What’s going on, are you ok? Three days ago, you were in intensive care.”

He looks from me to Topher, then notices Leo and Broderick also waiting. His eyes then land on my bag as he totals things up.

“Um...” I’m not sure how to answer his questions. How did he even know?

“Where are you going?” he nods to the bag.

“Jesus Brian, I don’t really understand why you think it’s any of your business. And why you’re here asking me these questions, anyway.” Brian, Brian Malloy. My first love, my only love. The one that dumped me out of the blue and for no reason is here. In a million years, I wouldn’t have thought this day could get any more fucked up.

He straightens. “I’m a detective, it’s my job to ask questions.”

I roll my eyes. I’ve heard that before.

He looks taken aback.

That’s because I’ve never spoken to him like this before. The last time I saw him, I still loved him. I have grown a lot since then. And that love has gone.

“I see you’re still angry,” he says.

“I’m not angry, Brian.”

“It sounds like you are.”

I shrug. “That’s what you’re hearing from it. I haven’t spoken to you in years. But you’re here thinking you have some right to ask me anything about my life. If you’re here as an ex-boyfriend, then you have no right. If you’re here as a cop, then the answer is no comment. Am I under arrest, officer, for anything? I know the rules, Brian. You taught me.”

“Elita.” He steps closer and I see the Brian from back then. The first and only man I opened my heart up to.

“You dumped me over a text message.” I take a step back, my voice soft and sad. I remember that pain.

“I am sorry. I was an idiot. I was wrong.”

I wasn’t expecting that.

“It’s something I have learned to live with. I fucked up,” he says.

I shake my head.

“I can’t do this right now. I have things to do, I don’t have time.”

Juggling the strap on my shoulder, I try to show I want out of this awkward and, frankly, dangerous conversation. I am nowhere near mentally prepared. I was prepared to confront my fucking mother, not the man who promised me he would be there for me no matter what.

Another utter disappointment.

I need out before I explode.

“Your apartment has been ransacked. Do you know that?”

I debate answering truthfully, not sure what he would rather hear at this point. I don’t need to. He answers for me.

“You already know, and you haven’t reported it. What’s happening?” He throws his hands up, his eyes darting between me and Leo. I don’t know why he would assume there is a connection there.

I shrug. “I haven’t had a chance.”

“What? Are you serious?” He shakes his head. “Then your work is blown up. And I am at your fucking bedside while the doctors aren’t sure if you were going to live or die. Then that Neanderthal,” he nods towards Leo.

I look to them.

Broderick is outright smiling. Topher has his hand hiding his mouth and smile. I narrow my eyes at him. He hides behind Broderick.

Broderick smiles wider.

Last, I look at Leo, and yep, I can see that he was raised to kill people with that look in his eyes.

“He unhooks you from your IV, throws you over his shoulder and fucks off with you.”

I turn back to Brian.

My mouth drops open.

Brian looks even more confused at my reaction.

I turn this time and my eyes shoot imaginary piercing lasers at Topher. He is in so much trouble for leaving a big chunk of information out of his tale of events.

He mouths he is sorry.

I breathe fire, or I feel like I do. He must see it, too, or more likely just knows me so well he hides back behind Broderick.

I swing my head back around to Brian.

“That is enough,” I say matter-of-factly.

I need to end this before it gets worse.

I’m about to explode, and I’m teetering on the edge. My control is slipping, and I am more unhinged now than ever in my life. I’m under a bit more stress than normal and will be giving myself a pass. Once I allow myself to feel the anger, I feel myself relax a little.

“Look, what I did was fucked up to you. But I have never stopped loving you.”

And goodbye to whatever fake control I was holding onto.

“Stop!” This time it’s my voice that is raised. “Do not say that again.” I narrow my eyes.

His shoulders slump. “Elita, I don’t trust him, not after what I saw. I’m worried. What have you gotten yourself into?” he pleads.

I’ve had enough.

“Oh, for goodness’ sake. Shut up!” I snap.

I not only see him freeze, but the movement from my peripheral has stopped, too. I am way over putting this guy’s needs over my own. I did it in the relationship and he took it for granted, so to hell with doing it now.

“You think I would trust you with anything to do with me again? You are out of your mind. I don’t hate you Brian, but I certainly have no respect for you and zero trust in you. I did all I could to support you and for whatever god damn reason you decided I was worth as little as a message to say you’re done with me. With some piss weak excuse that you were doing me