Page 61 of Dark Bonds

I pulled the blanket higher and waited for him to come back. I watched as he walked in and settled on the couch beside me.

“My fucking phone never restarted after the latest update. I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t realize it was off. Now, tell me what happened.”

I told him everything that had happened over the last twelve hours, including my knockout punch. He was proud of that but felt bad that I’d gone through so much of it on my own.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt the need to physically harm someone more than I did earlier. Jason, you should have seen Raven,” I sobbed, a new wave of tears erupting.

“Leah, it sounds to me like you saved your best friend. I think you probably saved Seb and Chase too because I have no doubt they would have ended him for what he did. I don’t have any plans today, so why don’t you spend the day here? You can get some sleep and then we can spend the rest of the day doing anything you like.”

“Really?”

“Yes really. Let’s go to bed.”

He led me to his bedroom and helped me out of my clothes. He grabbed a t-shirt from his dresser and pulled it over my head. Settling me under the covers, he climbed in behind me. It didn’t take me long at all to fall asleep, the horrors of the night fading.

* * *

The days and weeks rolled into each other and life just kind of went on. What had happened that night at Andrew’s was never too far from my mind. Raven didn’t come around the club for weeks, not that I could blame her. She wouldn’t even leave to work or come to my house. She had gone home with Chase and Seb and just never left. I visited her as often as she could handle it and I feared she would never be the same.

After several weeks, Sasha and I had run out of patience. It was fine if she didn’t want to go to the club. Given her experience, it made perfect sense. What wasn’t okay was the fact she was completely withdrawing from life. We talked to Seb and Chase who were just as concerned as we were. Tonight, we planned to ambush her with takeout and a couple of bottles of wine. I held the food while Sasha rang the bell. Footsteps sounded inside and the door opened.

“Hey, Chase,” I smiled.

“Hey, I’m glad you guys are here. Raven is in the living room. Seb and I are heading over to Jason’s for the evening.”

“Have fun,” Sasha said. “Get out, this is girls’ night.”

We all chuckled and headed to the living room. Raven was curled up on the couch, her head in Seb’s lap. She looked like shit.

“I didn’t know you guys were coming over tonight,” she said quietly. “I’m not really up to…”

“Can it, Raven. Leah and I aren’t leaving. Make yourself useful and get some wine glasses while we dish up dinner.”

Very few people ever said no to her, so Raven stood and headed to the kitchen to get some glasses out. Sasha and I got dinner served up and the guys each pecked one of Raven’s cheeks.

“Have fun, little bird. Chase and I will be home later.”

“Hey, didn’t Sasha tell you to get out?” I laughed.

“Yeah, yeah. We’re going.”

Raven hugged each of them and then headed back to the living room, settling back on the couch and pulling the blanket over herself. Sasha and I looked at each other with concern. We brought the food and wine in, each taking a chair.

“How are you doing, Raven?” I asked kindly.

“I’m fine,” she answered quickly.

“Cut the bullshit, girl. You’re not fooling anyone with it. Do you think we can’t tell that you’re not sleeping well and that you’ve lost a shit-ton of weight?”

“I…”

“No, enough is enough. I’m really sorry you went through what you did. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for you, but you can’t just forget life exists! You need to eat, to get back to the office, to start seeing your friends.”

“Sash, I appreciate you guys being here…”

“Raven,” I cut in, “don’t bother trying to throw us out because we’re not going anywhere. You can’t let Andrew have this kind of control over you. He’s never getting near you again. We love you. We all love you.”

“I know you do. It’s just so hard,” she sobbed. “I feel like I’m never going to be me again!”

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