Page 48 of Carver’s Crusade

“Harassment. Assault. Intimidation.” Shield’s mouth flattens. “Every single report fell apart because witnesses contradicted the victims.”

My stomach twists.

“Tony always has a friend or two backing him up,” Shield says. “Unfortunately, it isn’t always the same friend. He seems to have an endless supply willing to cover for him.”

Carver mutters a curse under his breath.

I wrap my arms around myself tighter.

Shield steps closer, not enough to crowd me, but enough that I can see the anger simmering behind his controlled expression. “So no, Raven. I don’t believe Tony over you.”

The words hit harder than they should. For several seconds, I don’t speak. I can’t. When I realize that I’ve been holding my breath, I release it before gulping in air.

Carver watches me carefully from near the door, his face unreadable except for the tension in his jaw like he’s holding himself back from breaking apart my room.

Shield softens his voice slightly. “Tell me what happened.”

Fear curls low in my stomach. But Min’s words echo in my mind. She said I need to trust him, and more importantly, that I can trust him.

I wet my lips nervously. “Tony is the one who attacked me behind his gym.”

Shield nods once, waiting.

“I cut through the parking lot to see if Min was at the dojo.” My voice sounds thin to my own ears.

Carver’s expression darkens instantly, like he already hates where this story is going.

“I didn’t realize anyone was there until he grabbed me.” My fingers tighten against my sleeves. “I think he had just come out of the gym.”

A muscle jumps in Carver’s cheek.

Shield stays calm. Focused. “Then what?”

“He punched me before shoving me against his car and wrapping his fingers around my throat.” My pulse pounds harder as the memory claws its way back. My throat tightens painfully. “I fought him, but I lost consciousness.”

Silence crashes into the room.

Carver looks ready to kill someone.

His hands flex at his sides, tattoos shifting over tense muscle as he stares at the floor for one dangerous second before dragging his gaze back to me.

“Why did Tony target you?” Shield asks carefully.

Panic spikes instantly at his question. This is where I either tell him my greatest secret or lie to everyone. The thought of Carver realizing I’m a murderer stops me from giving it away.

I look away.

“I—I don’t know.”

The lie tastes terrible.

Shield studies me long enough that I wonder if he can see straight through me.

Before he can press further, I rush to fill the silence. “He approached me at the sandwich shop a few days ago.”

That gets both their attention immediately.

“He what?” Carver’s voice drops into something deadly quiet.