Page 32 of Riff

“Yeah, I’m gonna stop you right there,” he said. “You’ve been through hell, darlin’. You can take as much time as you need to get back on your feet. Months, years, everyone will understand.”

“But—“

“What’s the main concern here?” he asked.

“I have no money,” I started.

“I have money. You can have as much of it as you want.”

“I can’t take your money.”

He completely ignored that.

“What else?”

“I don’t have a place to live.”

“You do.”

“I can’t live in the clubhouse forever.”

“You can stay as long as you want. But if you don’t feel comfortable there, I’ll get you an apartment.”

“You can’t just—“

“How about I decide what I can do to help you, okay?” he asked. “You don’t have anything to worry about when it comes to a roof and food and bills.”

“People don’t just pay for other people’s bills,” I insisted.

“Sure they do. I have no living expenses, Vienna,” he leveled with me. “I get a salary, but I live at the clubhouse or on the road, which is paid for by the club. I have plenty of money to spend however I want to. This is how I want to spend it.”

I believed he meant that. I truly did. The thing was… for how long? He was feeling protective because he’d saved me, because we’d bonded by surviving together in the woods.

But, eventually, his life would open up and expand again. Leaving me… where?

Sure, I might be able to take a week or two to decompress, but I would need to start making plans to rebuild my life.

The idea of that made my stomach churn painfully, though, my mind flashing with images of a job full of men with roving eyes and dubious intentions. Walking alone at night. Walking alone… period.

“You alright?” Riff asked, brows pinching.

“I’m tired,” I declared.

And, suddenly, I was. Down to the bone.

I pulled the blankets up over me, but the covers did nothing to chase away the chill. Because it seemed to be coming from somewhere deep inside.

“Okay,” Riff said, reaching over to flick off one of the lights. “Do you want me to wake you if Raff finds any food?” he asked.

“I’m okay,” I lied. Despite eating more in the past day or so, I felt emptier than ever. There was some cavern inside that seemed as if it might never be filled.

“Alright,” Riff said, sounding unconvinced, but he wasn’t going to press.

Vernon climbed up to cuddle near my face, nuzzling my face with his, and letting out little purrs, like he understood what I was feeling, like he wanted me to know I wasn’t alone.

I was asleep within moments.

CHAPTER NINE

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