Page 13 of Safe Haven
HAVEN
All this time, I thought my cousin hated me.
That she resented the fact that I looked just like her. That I was smarter and the baby of the family. She always acted like I was her greatest adversary.
It took her dying to admit the truth.
That she envied me. That the perfect upbringing I got was the opposite of hers. While my parents doted on me, loved me, and cared for me, her parents fought, neglected, and even abused her.
It was when I read how her own father raped her when she started developing and got pregnant that I lost it.
She suffered so much in silence.
It’s no wonder she lashed out. She admitted to letting her piece of shit father die. He had a heart attack right before I left for college. I remember thinking how cruel Danica was for smiling at his funeral. It was the last time I saw her before she landed on my doorstep.
It all makes sense now.
I’m happy you got your revenge, cuz.
“Loki, you didn’t get her killed. She had her own demons she was fighting. I wish I had understood her better while she was alive.” I walk over to her body and fix her hair around her face.
“I’ll finish this. I promise.” I kiss her forehead as the furnace beeps.
“It’s time,” Corvin says in a subdued voice.
“Do you want to say anything. We can give you a moment.” I check in with Loki, but she shakes her head.
“I don’t want to sound cruel, but this is already time wasted to save those women.” I nod and look to Corvin.
“I got you, sis.” We move her body onto the slab of the container, and Corvin pushes her in, closing the loading door.
“Do you want me to do it?”
I shake my head at my best friend.
“No, it needs to be me.” I go to the control panel, set the system, and then hit start.
It takes just a matter of seconds, and the machine whirs to life, incinerating my cousin to ash. I can’t tell anyone she’s gone. This is the only memorial she’ll have. A spike of anger fills me, and I turn to Loki.
“What do I need to do?” She looks me up and down.
“You need to become her. No one can suspect you aren’t Mercy. You have to become the President of the Royal Harlots. Fuck can you even ride a motorcycle?” At that, I grin.
“Oh, that I do very well.”
Corvin laughs under his breath.
“What? There’s an inside joke here.” Loki points from me to Corvin.
“It’s the only action she gets between those thighs. Haven here is still a virgin.” I cringe at that word.
“Am not. I just haven’t found a dick I want to ride more than my Ducati.” He chuckles at my tired argument.
“Ah fuck. That’s gonna be a problem.” Loki pulls at her hair.
“What do you mean? Do I need to fuck someone to sell this?” Her lip curls, and I choke on air.
“REALLY?” She takes her long red hair and wraps it up on the top of her head, and rolls up her sleeves.
