I am Leo (Book 3)

Unknown POV “So you want to hear a story?” she asks and the kids all nod excitedly “Well I don’t know…” she says pondering making the kids whine in protest. I chuckle sitting down next to her on the stump in front of the campfire. I take her hand and kiss her knuckles, her light blue eyes glinting with love, her features have aged, her blonde hair now streaked with grey highlights but she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen “Grandpa please tell grandma to tell us the story” Lily whines “The story, you mean the one where we met?” I ask and their faces light up “Yeah please, you promised when we were older, you’d tell us” Johnathan says in his semi-deep voice. I sigh and glance at her, waiting for her to give the go ahead “Are you sure they’re old enough my love?” she asks seeming a bit concerned. I look around the fire at our grandchildren; they sit there in anticipation waiting “They’re not kids anymore love, maybe it’s time” I say and she nods in agreement. They all cheer and huddle closer as I clear my throat “There are things, no beings in this world that we can’t explain. Some are good, some are bad, but you get some of those who are pure evil. When I met your grandmother, I was a hunter” I say as their faces light up “Like what did you kill papa?” Luke asks smiling “Well son, what we’re about to tell you happened al long time ago, it changed my life forever, but for the better” I say smiling at her as she lays her head on my shoulder “The things I killed were monsters, ghosts and demons” I say making them chuckle “Really papa, seriously what did you kill?” Ella asks with a smirk but it soon fades when they realize I’m serious “The creatures of fiction, or what the world think is fiction, are real. Ghosts and demons are very real and so are angels my dears” she says and their faces pale a bit “So it all started when I was a young man of 27, I got a case and as I was doing research on it, I met the love of my life” I say and I hear the girls sigh “Well once upon a time, a few years ago” she says and they look at us wide eyed   *47 years ago* I stood in front of the familiar house with my older brother Killian next to me. Our expressions matched our feelings, grief-stricken. I looked up at the grand two-story house in downheartedness with a small amount of hopefulness I glanced back at the front door, waiting to see my mother’s figure appear on the other side of the stained glass but nothing happened. I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat as my brother gently took my hand giving it a reassuring squeeze “You ready for this sis?” he asks in his soft brotherly voice making me look up into his sad eyes. His sandy blonde hair is messy, he has a stubble way past a five o’clock shadow covering his jaw and his light brown eyes are tired a little puffy and red from lack of sleep and possibly crying. He is about 6’2” with tan skin and still has his athletically built body, keeping it in shape. I on the other hand is 5’3”, ash blonde hair going down to my mid-back, slender with light blue eyes. “As I’ll ever be. The sooner we start, the sooner we can put this behind us” I say trying my best to sound cheerful. He gives me a rueful smile and we both take a deep breath before stepping inside “Let’s do this” he says as we close the door behind us. I flip on the light switch and study the empty space. The living room where we used to play games as a family still looks the same, the dining room where we shared countless meals still stands as they left it but it’s the silence that gets to me. There’s no one greeting us with smiles and hugs, no one giving us a hard time for not visiting enough. The smell of cleaning solvents and fresh paint hangs in the air, no home cooked meals, no smell of fresh baked cookies or fresh coffee, just clean. Everything is just clean. “It’s not home anymore” I say my voice breaking as I try and fight the tears threatening to fall. We walk in silence to the kitchen and my brother drops the stack of empty boxes on the floor. I walk over to the pantry, running my hand along the cold smooth surface of the marble counter top of the island. Mom and I used to sit here for hours chatting about everything. I glance at the stove and try to remember how many meals we cooked together, each meal prepared with love like only she could “I’m going to miss this so much” I whisper as silent tears run down my face. I open the cupboards and start unpacking it. I separate the usable goods from the rest for donation as Killian folds the boxes “They would’ve wanted this” I say softly packing the tinned food into the donation box. Killian has moved to the living room to start packing it up leaving me alone in the kitchen. I wipe at my tears as I move over to the other cupboards. I wrap the crockery piece by piece, my heart aching with each piece I wrap up and placing it in the different boxes. Eventually I lose track of the time but not of the heartache “I still can’t believe it. They’re gone, and so…so…” I say to the empty kitchen trailing off at the end but jump as my brother suddenly speaks up behind me “So violently” he says in a tired voice. I spin around looking into his mournful face; I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him tightly as he rests his chin on my head “Why Killian? Why them?!” I yell out in pain as my heart breaks again for the loss of our parents. The sadness, anger and frustration are evident in my tone. He rubs my back before hugging me “I don’t know Vi. I wish I knew” he says in an exhausted tone making me squeeze him tighter. We stand like that crying silently, finding some comfort in each other’s grief. A faint sound from upstairs makes me pull my head back, straining my ears and then I whisper to Killian “Did you hear that?” I ask in a quiet whisper barely hearing myself. He wipes at his tear stained face and nod slowly also trying to pin point the sound “Yeah” he whispers back stepping out of our embrace. It sounds like faint footsteps, almost as if someone is sneaking around on the top floor. “Stay here. Keep your phone close if we need the police” he says in a low voice before moving to the small stairway. I nod slowly and watch in fear as he disappears up the stairs, I take out my phone and punch in 911, waiting for him to come back “Please be nothing. Please be nothing” I whisper to myself as I wait for what feels like hours. The cold emptiness of the kitchen is filled with an ear piercing silence, my heart beats like a drum loudly in my ears. He finally comes back and I jump to my feet gesturing for him to talk “Nothing. I think our minds are playing tricks on us you know?” he says with a small smile. I sit back down and let out a sigh of relief “Yeah, maybe you’re right. We’re used to this place being much more…alive” I say locking my phone placing it back in my pocket. He turns and looks at the boxes scattered on the floor before giving me a tired smile “I think that’s enough for today don’t you? We can come back tomorrow, let’s get a bite to eat my treat” he says sounding a bit more relaxed. I smile and nod standing up, but I know the smile doesn’t reach my eyes. I love him to death, he’s hurting and he still wants to make me feel better. “Sure what are we having?” I ask trying my best to sound happier than I feel. He locks the door behind us then he turns to me pondering “Hmmm, how about Chinese?” he asks but I shake my head no then a thought pops up in my head “Oh I know! Let’s go to the old bus stop diner and have a proper cholesterol filled dinner?” I say sounding much perkier. His eyes light up and he smiles in agreement “Now that sounds like my kind of dinner” he says smiling as we get in the truck. The drive there is quiet but I feel better as we slide into the booth. We both order double cheeseburgers with fries “I haven’t been here in years” he says smiling looking around the diner. It still looks the same after all these years “I know right? We used to come here a lot remember?” I ask excitedly making him smile wider. I see the memories play across his face as he looks around the place “Yeah, this was dad’s solution to everything. When we were sad, angry or when we celebrated. Remember that one time he brought the whole team after we won the championship?!” he asks now smiling a bright, genuine smile. I laugh as I remember my dad’s face when he realized it was a very bad idea “He was overwhelmed by you guys. Mom and I laughed so hard at him trying to get you lot under control!” I screech with laughter making him laugh as well. We chat and laugh as we reminisce about the good old days and soon our food arrive, as I bite into the crispy fries I realize how famished I am. My brother needs no encouragement as he lays into his plate making me smile. Damn hoover “Whoa there buddy. You still eat like a teenager you know?” I joke making him turn a shade of pink “Sorry, I didn’t notice how hungry I was and this is delicious” he exclaims gesturing at the burger. I chuckle and dig into my own burger moaning softly at the first bite “Hmmm, this is delicious” I say smiling. We eat while chatting, but out of the corner of my eye I notice this guy that keeps on glancing right at me “Hey get the bill. I’m just going to the restroom” he says standing, he takes out a few bills throwing them on the table before he leaves. I nod and gesture to the waitress to bring the bill. I turn gathering my stuff when a deep but gentle voice speaks up next to me “Evening ma’am, sorry to disturb you” the unfamiliar voice says and I slowly glance up at the owner. His forest green eyes are soft but seem to hide pain, uncertainty and a lot of memories. I give him a wry smile barely hearing my own voice. He frowns a bit “Excuse me?” he says in his deep sultry voice. I blink and speak up again “It’s Miss, not ma’am” I state making him give me a lazy smile “Oh my apologies miss” he says his dark hair falling over his forehead as he chuckles glancing at his feet then back at me “It’s fine, what can I help you with Mr….?” I ask waiting for him to reply. He straightens up a bit clearing his throat “Oh yes sorry. My name is Dean Colt” he says holding out his hand. I take his hand eyeing him up and down. His hand is warm and strong as he shakes my hand “Pleased to meet your acquaintance Mr Colt. Violet Kendrick” I say smiling. He gives me a heart stopping smile gesturing to the seat opposite me “May I?” he asks and I nod “Oh please sit. So what brings you to town sir?” I ask as he sits down. His big frame filling out the seat “Please call me Dean. I’m here for work” he says still smiling. I scan his face, his dark brown hair is cut short on the sides although it’s much longer on top, his beard is neatly trimmed showing off his strong jaw. He has a perfect nose and his lips seem like they can kiss a girl until she sees stars “Oh really? And what is it that you do Dean?” I ask glancing at his broad strong shoulders flexing as he leans forward placing his elbows on the table. His eyes seem to pierce my soul and his voice is deep and very sexy “I’m a detective, kind of. And you?” he asks smirking making my heart flutter as his perfect white teeth glistens in the light “I’m an interior designer. What do you mean kind of?” I ask feeling a bit suspicious. He chuckles and leans back in the seat. Oh wow he is twice Killian’s size “The cases I investigate are not what you’d call traditional” he says putting traditional in air quotes. I raise an eyebrow and eye him sceptically as I lean back crossing my arms over my chest “So a non-traditional case has come up? Here in this town?” I ask, he nods yes but his eyes doesn’t leave mine “And you’re speaking to me and have been watching me the whole time because…?” I ask him my expression not giving away my curiosity “I need your help Violet” he says making me smirk “Do you now? With your ‘work’?” I ask sarcastically “Yes” he states smiling. I stand up grabbing my purse “Listen Dean, I’m not that type of woman okay? So if you’ll excuse me I need to get up early tomorrow. Thanks for the chat” I say turning away from him as I speak. He’s quick to his feet and catches my arm mid-turn making me freeze in place. I stare down at his hand clasping my bicep “Violet please wait I-“ I cut him off spinning around looking him dead in the eye, my face contorted in anger “Unhand me Dean. I will make a scene if you don’t” I hiss angrily through clenched teeth. He sighs running his hand through his hair “I’m sorry, but you got it all wrong. It’s not like that” he says defeated taking a step back. My face must be red with anger as I stare him down. Not that it’s working; he must be 6’6”, easily dwarfing me “Let go of me Dean” I command. His eyes soften and he drops his hand to his side. He exhales again loudly “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt or scare you. I just wanted to ask you some questions. But it’s fine” he says. I huff in anger as I turn on my heel and storm out of the diner. Reaching the truck I see my brother talking to someone on the phone. I get in the truck, slamming the door and stare at Dean through the window. He’s sitting at the table with his hands in his hair, it seems as if he’s talking to himself “Good. Wallow in your self-pity dumbass” I whisper in anger. My brother gets in eyeing me suspiciously “You okay there sis?” he asks a bit unsure. I nod my head and turn my attention to him “Peachy. Can we go to the lodge please? I need a long hot bath and sleep” I say with a sweet smile. He nods and starts the truck, but gives me a side glance “Sure. You sure you’re fine?” he asks again making me nod again “Yup. It’s been a long day” I say smiling as he pulls out of the parking lot. I don’t want to tell him about Dean because I know how he’s going to react, and after today the last thing I need is to break up a fight. I sit quietly looking out the windows as the street lights fade, the road winds into the mountains and soon the lodge comes into view. Finally this terrible day can end. I think as I get into bed a few hours later.