Page 22 of The Lies We Believe

I’m sorry, that was rude.

I just want to help you.

Jesus, I was a mess, hounding him like that. “Fuck!” I groaned. Talking to Joelle had helped a bit. She knew what she was talking about, but it didn’t change the fact that this situation was frustrating. I hated feeling helpless, like I was letting him down.

I’m making coffee. Want one?

Three dots appeared and disappeared so many times I was on the edge of my seat until they disappeared completely. “Fuck it.” Jaw clenched, I headed into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. If he didn’t want to talk, then fine. I’d make him a drink and leave it by his door like I had all the others before going to work on old Mrs. Burrows’s car. It needed an oil change and a new battery fitted. Plus, I needed to check in with Montoya and find out when someone was going to check over my security system.

It wasn’t like I couldn’t do it myself, but Bower had wanted something more advanced than I could pick up from the localhardware store, so that meant Davis being involved, which set me on edge. The old timer didn’t like me because I challenged the “status quo.” More like it was a case of making him look bad, because I cared about my job and helping others.

The kettle boiled, and I filled up the carafe, added the beans, and depressed the plunger. It felt like the type of day that called for proper coffee. I needed something with a sharp kick if I was to focus on anything other than the boy in my guest room. While it was percolating, I sent Montoya a message, asking her if she had any updates on how things were progressing in the outside world.

River hadn’t touched the last lot of food I’d left him, so I made him a sandwich while I was at it. Although I didn’t know his preferences, I remembered him enjoying ham and cheese melts back at Mrs. Wilkinson’s, so quickly put one together and added it to the tray along with a bag of Doritos. When I reached his room, I rapped on his door softly.

“Riv? Here’s your coffee. I also, umm, made you a sandwich.” I licked my lips as I set the tray down in front of his door and listened. His room was silent, but he must have had the blinds open, because his shadow moved underneath the door. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and a squeak pushed past my lips when I saw a message from him.

River

Thank you, Bane.

Me

It’s nothing. Enjoy.

I wanted to fist pump the air, to jump up and down, to push the door open and wrap my arms around him and never let go. But I couldn’t.Respect his boundaries,I mentally scolded myself as I headed for the stairs. I only made it down the firstcouple when I heard the door creak open, and I caught sight of River. My breath caught in my throat, my heart freezing mid-beat as I took him in.

He looked paler than before—if that was even possible—his shoulders hunched and curled around himself. The dark smudges under his eyes had spread like a fresh purple-black bruise that was in stark relief to his skin. The hoodie he wore was down to his knees and swamped his frame. His choosing to wear my clothes made my stomach fall to my feet. His hands shook as he picked up the tray and grunted with the effort it took not to drop it. Fuck, how I wanted to run up there and help him. My teeth sunk into my lip hard enough to split the delicate skin, but my eyes remained riveted on him.

When the door snicked shut and the click of the lock engaged, I deflated, expelling a deep breath. I spun my phone in my hand on my way back to the kitchen, where I grabbed my coffee before heading to the garage to work on Mrs. Burrows’ car. My feet slipped into my worn work boots as I shouldered open the door. I had just enough time to put my mug down on the workbench when my phone rang, the quick succession of vibrations the only way I could differentiate between a text and a call.

“Hello?” I said, wedging the device between my ear and shoulder as I hunted for the tools I needed.

“Hey, Benson.” Montoya’s voice was chipper but had an edge of unease to it.

“What’s up?”

“Davis is bringing his lackey out tonight or tomorrow morning to look over your security system.”

“Alright, I’ll be here.”

Her sharp intake of breath was all I needed to know that something was up. “Ah, yeah, about that…” She cleared herthroat in that way she did when she steeled her spine and looked at you with the full force of her penetrating gaze.

“Tell me,” I demanded.

“Bower wants you to come in tomorrow.” The sound of a door closing cut off the normal buzz of the war room. “He wants an update and feels like you’re purposely being evasive.”

“Seriously?” I growled and scrubbed my hand down my face. “I had a week. That’s what he said, before he’d…” I shook my head and slumped against my workbench.

“I know. I know, but something has him spooked?—”

“What?”

Montoya sighed. “I’ve got no idea. I haven’t been in the office as much since I’ve been staking out your place.”

“Did he say when?”

“First thing. Tell him to make sure he’s here, and that he doesn’t weasel out of it. He has a job to do,” Montoya said, mimicking Bower’s low authoritative tone.

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