Page 151 of My Revenant
Dex updated me on the Strays. Raven was in charge now, and after Reaper and Toby had gone “missing” there was very little conflict between everyone else. Henrik and Archer were still yet to be found. Bryce had left too. The Strays also had some new members. But after Dex told me he’d left them, I had little interest in the rest. He was all mine now, and that’s all that mattered.
Roy had moved away after selling the auto shop. We planned to visit him eventually, though that was more for Dex’s sake than mine. I’d be happy if the only face I ever saw again was his—well, and Becca’s. If she didn’t murder me the moment I was within reach.
Every time I’d thought about contacting Becca, my stomach would twist with nerves until I felt physically nauseous.It wasn’t the kind of conversation to be had over the phone. Dex had asked me over and over when I wanted to see her, but I hadn’t been able to give him an answer apart from “soon.”
We pulled to a stop in front of an unfamiliar apartment building.
“What are we doing here?” I asked Dex.
He pulled our laced fingers to his face to kiss along my knuckles.
“Need to do something. Come on.”
Then he got out of the truck before I had a chance to protest.
With a groan, I unbuckled and got out as well, then followed him up the concrete steps. It was an older building, but it seemed well maintained.
“Who lives here?” I asked, my hand reaching for the back of his jacket.
He didn’t answer, just knocked on the apartment’s red door.
A few moments later, it opened to reveal Raven.
She smiled and held her fist out for Dex to bump, shaking it at him when he didn’t. Then she turned to me. “Well, look who it is.” Before I had the chance to respond, she turned back into the apartment. “It’s for you, babe!”
My stomach twisted, because I had a feeling I knew who she was talking to, and I still didn’t feel ready.
Her hair was purple now, and much longer. Familiar amber eyes looked annoyed until they caught on me and widened. Becca.
She walked toward me with purpose, and I stood frozen like a deer in headlights.
Thwack.
Pain seared over the side of my cheek as she slapped me, but before I could even process that, she yanked me into the tightest embrace I’d ever felt.
She was so warm.
She hugged me like she’d missed me.
“You fucking dick!” Her voice caught with emotion. “I thought you were fucking dead! I cried for you, you bastard!”
Once her embrace had felt like it was putting the broken, jagged things inside me back together, but this time I knew I’d be okay when she let me go. Those pieces would stay together, because it wasn’t the end, and there would be more hugs just like this one. “Welcome home.”
My eyes burned, and I let them. I didn’t fight the tears, and neither did she, and we just stood in the doorway hugging and crying until Raven cleared her throat behind us. “Maybe… come inside?”
Bee didn’t give me a choice in the matter; her hand found my wrist and dragged me in after her. I heard Dex chuckle as he followed us.
Then we were sitting on the sofa, both her hands held mine.
“What happened, JJ? I tried to contact you, and I couldn’t. My calls and texts weren’t going through. I made Rae take me to Dex’s place to find you.” My throat tightened in discomfort, but she continued. “And it was fucking burned to the ground, so I went to your dad’s, and he hadn’t heard from you either. He was fucking useless by the way. I hate the bastard, just so you know.”
I couldn’t help the huff of breath as too many emotions tried to escape me at once. “I… I can’t tell you everyth—”
“Don’t give me that shit! You can tell me. You can tell me anything. Whatever happened, I’m on your side. I’m always on your side, and I have your back.”
I looked to Dex, who smiled softly and gave me a nod.
So I did. I told her everything. I told her what I’d done and why I ran. I cried more, and so did she. Then she pulled me into another crushing hug.
