Page 26 of Safe Haven
“Um, yes, but in my experience, that’s always been bullshit.” He chuckles and stands back up straight.
“Fair enough. Danica and I found this place years ago. The old couple that owned it were going to close the doors ‘cause they couldn’t keep up. So we bought it and renovated it. We leave the day-to-day business running to their family and split the profits fifty-fifty,” he trails off as he talks and then sighs.
“We did.”
I nod in understanding.
“It’s hard to switch to the past tense. Give it time.” I turn away so he can gather himself.
“She had a living will, you know. She didn’t look like it and never would have dreamed of acting like it either, but she had money. It’s all yours now.” I spin around so fast that I make myself dizzy.
“What? Me! No, that can’t be. We weren’t even talking. Why would she do that?” I flop down on the couch and grab my head in my hands.
The migraine I’ve been fighting comes barreling in full force.
“She always knew she’d die young.” I turn to glare at him, but he looks like he’s lost in a memory.
“It’s what she said. Anyway, I don’t know your side of the story, so I won’t defend her actions. I know the woman I loved,and she would never dream of hurting you. You are…were, the only family she talked about. I didn’t want her money, so she left it to you. I don’t give a fuck what you do with it, but this place is now partly yours. I’m gonna go get us some grub. Anything you don’t like or can’t eat?” That was information overload, and I shook my head to clear it, but he took it as my answer.
I’m not hungry anyway, so whatever he gets, Diesel can eat.
I turn to my dog, who’s lying out in front of the fire like the king of the castle. I grab my bookbag and start looking through the pockets for some medicine, and bump my hand into a metal device I don’t recognize by touch. I pull it out and groan.
A taser and wrapped around it like some fucked up bow, three condoms with a post-it note that reads ‘Just in case’ in Corvin’s sharp script writing.
Thanks, best friend.
Chapter Fourteen
HAVEN
By the time Apex gets back, I’d manage to do the basics. I’d taken a shower before laying down on the bed in the dark room with the only light coming from the fireplace. I took my meds and grabbed some ice using the towels to make myself an ice bag for my head.
“What the fuck? You alright?” I groan at the sound of his voice.
“Shhhh, hurts.” My senses go haywire when I get migraines.
Sound, sight, smell, and hearing are all magnified times ten, so I can tell he has curry in the bags he carefully sets down on the counter, and still it sounds like bombs going off to me.
FUCK!
I pull the pillows closer to my ears as his heavy footfalls make everything worse.
“Did you take something?” God, please stop talking!
“Yes,” I try to move away from his voice, but strong hands pin me down on the bed.
“Want me to kiss it better?” Is he really trying to be funny right now?
I wish I had the taser.
“Anything as long as you shut the fuck up!” I hold my head so my brain doesn’t fall out of my ears.
He pulls my sleep shorts off with my panties with one swift tug.
“WOOO, what the fuck, dude!” I grab at the blanket to cover myself, but it’s pinned under both of us.
“RELAX! I’m not gonna hurt you. Orgasms will help.” I try to crawl away, but he hangs on to one of my ankles.
