Page 18 of Safe Haven
HAVEN
I’m so tired that my head bobs while I try to eat the salad Corvin got me for lunch. He ordered me to take a nap in my office, afraid I’d fall into my Ranch dressing and drown.
Last night, all I saw when I closed my eyes was Danica. Now, after speaking to him on the phone for a short time, it’s Joel. We’re back at the Jersey shore again.
I know it’s a dream cause his Gran is alive and we’re happy.
I want to hang on to this feeling. The innocence of your first love. The thrill of the unknown and excitement to try new things. The absolute trust I had in that boy to give him my heart and almost my body, too.
The dream goes from sweet to tragic in an instant, and I gasp awake, sitting up on my couch and banging my head on the shelves above where I had been lying.
“Fuck,” I rub the sore spot and feel the bruise already forming.
“That was super graceful. Although it helps sell you as Mercy. We have a meeting.” Loki sits across from me.
She looks comfortable, like she’s been watching me sleep for a while. A fast food bag and drink sit on the corner of my desknext to her, and I can see the ring of condensation that has formed on the surface of my mahogany wood desk.
“Sorry, you don’t have coasters.” She sneers at me.
Wow, someone is bitchy.
“If you ate, you shouldn’t be so hangry.”
She doesn’t take my bait and just stares at me.
“Mercy killed that man.”
I nod.
“I figured as much. Do you know why?”
She shakes her head at me, but it looks like she’s staring off into the world for answers while she does it.
“There’s so much about her that I didn’t know.” Loki blinks as if those words make her come back to herself.
“Welcome to the club.” She smirks at me, and I realize my bad pun.
“That’s what I’m here about. You called Church. We gotta roll.” What the fuck is she talking about?
“I’m an atheist.” Loki stands and nods.
“And?” She walks over to my door and opens it, waiting for me to follow.
“And I’m not going to any church.”
She tilts her head and then chuckles.
“Christ, okay. Church is a club meeting. Old man/lady are our spouses or partners. Cuts are our vest, rockers are the patches. Cages are cars, and lastly but most importantly, the club is your family. Got it?” Shit, I feel like I should have been taking notes for the quiz I’m sure I’m about to get.
“Yeah, so where’s Church then?” She smiles and tosses a set of keys at me.
“Our clubhouse, of course. It’s time to wear that wig. Mercy’s bike is outside waiting for you. Tonight we’re gonna test your acting skills. You’re meeting Duchess, our club’s NationalPresident. If you’re good enough to fool her, then we will move forward with the plan.” I nod and grab the wig.
I’m still in my work clothes and frown.
“I should change. It’ll be tough to ride in this skirt.” Loki really looks at me now like she’s seeing me for the first time.
“Fuck, you look like a naughty school teacher.” I snort and grab my book bag, which holds my school clothes.
