Adrian removes his cigarette, tossing it to the gravel. He stamps it out with one of his expensive dress shoes before straightening his blood-red tie. Smoothing his hand through his sandy-colored hair, he jerks his chin over my shoulder.
“You gonna let me in?” he asks.
I don’t know if I should. Haven’s awake, but this isAdrian. How can I say no? Especially after he arranged for Dr. Lucas to come over earlier, plus his promise that he’ll keep the King too busy to realize Haven’s home again…
I toss the mango slices in front of me, leaving them for whatever wild animal lurking in the woods behind my house wants to scarf them down. Then, with a nod, I wave for Adrian to follow me inside.
He cocks his head.
I know exactly what he’s asking. I point over mine. “I put her in my bedroom,” I explain. “I was just going to get her something else to eat.”
“This won’t be long,” Adrian promises.
That’s good to hear.
“Let’s go to the living room,” I tell him. If Haven’s still in the hall, I don’t want her to hear a new voice and get scared all over again. “We can talk there.”
Adrian nods, following me as I turn right, heading toward the big living room. That’s where I keep my oversized TV, my stuffed couch, and all the antique furniture left from all the times my mother used to have guests over. I figured Haven might like it so I barely changed it once my parents moved out, and if she doesn’t? I’ll let her redecorate to her heart’s desire once she accepts that thisisher home.
As soon as we step inside, Adrian says, “How are things going? How was the doctor?”
There’s no way in hell that Dr. Lucas didn’t give Adrian at least a small update on her visit here today. “She was good. She confirmed a couple of things I knew. Haven needed fluids and she got some. She probably dropped fifteen pounds while they had her so I have to help her eat. Two metatarsals were recently broken on her left foot… plus she’s fucking bruised enough that physical abuse is a definite.” I swallow roughly. “Same with sexual abuse to some degree. Haven… they fucked her up, buddy. They fucked her up real bad.”
From his expression, I know that none of that is news to Adrian.
“Dr. Lucas recommends that she be hospitalized,” he says, and that’s not news tome. That doesn’t mean I don’t try to argue—and he cuts my furious tirade off with a pointed look. “I know. Trust me, Con, Iknow. Dr. Lucas says she believes that Haven’s physical injuries will heal in time. It’s her mental state she’s worried about.”
“How does she know about her mental state? Haven was sedated when the doc looked her over.”
Adrian gives me a look that says:exactly.
Okay. He has a point.
“She’ll be fine,” I tell him. “It’s been two days. She was gone forsix weeks. She just needs time. She needs someone who understands. Someone who loves her. I’ll take care of her, Adrian. I told you that when you dropped me off. I’m telling you that now. And if anyone tries to take her from me, I’ll?—”
I stop short. Did I… did I just hear footsteps on the stairs? I was so consumed with stopping Adrian from trying to talk me into letting Haven go—because I one hundred percent believe that’s what he’s up to—that I almost missed it.
But I didn’t.
Iheardit.
Adrian didn’t. “You’ll what, Connor?”
I wave my hand, gesturing for him to shut the hell up. Then, tilting my head, I focus.
Ilisten.
Adrian brushes the sleeve of my shirt, trying to get my attention. “Hey. You doing okay?”
“I think I heard something.”
“Something? Or someone?”
I don’t know. I thought?—
Creak.
Fuck!
