“Yes. I look nothing like him.” I remember he couldn’t look me in the eyes for years. “I heard him talking one night. He wanted to sell all her paintings. I waited until he went out and hid her favorites. My mom bought a studio apartment, and didn’t tell anyone. Before she died, she took me there and gave me a key. Her friend kept it clean for her then, and the years after she passed. I knew he wouldn’t find them there. I couldn’t allow him to take her away more than she already was.”
“That was the first time he hit you,” Rylee whispers.
“Yes, but I wouldn’t tell him where they were. He had the house searched. I still have them.” I exhale sharply. “I need them.” I look at Bane. “Deciding to move here, I forgot. If myfather realizes I’m gone, he could get into my place. I moved some of her art into the safe in my apartment.”
“Does he have a key?” he asks.
“He doesn’t need one.” Shit. He would do it. If he finds out I’m moving, he’d do it out of anger. “It would take some work to get it out.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Bane says.
“You will?” I shouldn’t be shocked.
“We have your address. I’ll send someone we trust,” he says.
“Thank you.”
“Has he hit you recently?” Lawson asks.
“No. I stay away, and he usually forgets I exist.” I take a drink of water. “But I’m still in the area. He won’t like my decision to move.”
“What can he do?” Remy asks.
“At least when I’m close, he thinks he has some control,” I whisper, pushing my chair back. “Excuse me.” I don’t look at anyone as I walk away. My stomach is rolling.
Escaping into my bedroom, I press my hand to my chest, somehow hoping to calm my racing heart. I’ve never left the state. Close to him, yet far enough to live my life how I want. He doesn’t want me involved in his world, but needs to know he could reach out and interfere with mine. I stop in front of the painting of Brian. That situation proves he still has reach. He has a lot of friends who would do anything for him. Stealing shit from my house would be easy. I can’t lose what little I have left of my mom. Before Rylee, she was the one good thing I had. I try not to remember her because it hurts too much. Talking about her was nice, but it brought up the emotions of her departure.
I take deep breaths. Bane said he would get them. I have to believe he will.
“Haven,” Lawson says, knocking lightly. “Let me in.”
“It’s open,” I say, and turn to face him as he enters. “I’m sorry. I didn’t thank Remy for the meal.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He shuts the door softly. “I don’t thank him regularly, and he still loves me.” He moves to the end of the bed. “Rylee said she had a hot date and not to wait up. Bane and Hunter left. They'll make arrangements with someone to go to your apartment. If there is anything else you want, let them know, and they'll need the code to the safe. Remy is cleaning the kitchen. We’re going to stay tonight. It was Hunter’s turn, but he gave it up for me.”
“Why did he?” I ask, but I’m not complaining. “Not that I don’t want you to.” He waves his hand and sits on the mattress.
“Hunter is selfless. He’s doing what he’s always done, taking care of us, of me.” He grins, and I join him on the bed. “He knew I needed to speak to you.”
“About what?” I bend my knee and turn to face him.
“My demons,” he rumbles, and cups my calf. “He knew I could relate to your situation.”
“In what way?”
“You had a father who hit you. My adopted parents did the same to me,” he whispers, tilting his head away. His shaggy hair falls over his eyes.
“Lawson.” I put my hand over his.
“When I got big enough to fight back, they channeled my anger in another direction.” He looks at me. “Then I fought whoever they put in front of me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve only seen the good in the shifters here. Our world outside of this place isn’t as civilized.” I frown, and he rolls his shoulders. “I was forced to fight others of our kind.”
“Why?”
“If I didn’t. I would die.”
