Page 64 of Broken Promises

“You think she’s safe with Lavaro?”

“I trust him to keep her safe just as much as I trust you. You know he’s working with Dante to take Stefano down, so give him a chance to prove himself,” I answered, making her scoff.

“Or he’s playing us all and he’s full of shit.”

Maddox groaned loudly, glaring over his shoulder at her. “Beck, give it a rest. You know for a fact Mom doesn’t back down unless she’s sure she can. If she says Lavaro isn’t a threat, then he’s not.”

“You’re all blinded by his bullshit. He’s lying. I don’t know what about, but something doesn’t feel right as if he’s not telling us everything,” she answered sharply.

“I don’t like him near Raven,” Logan said with a wince, eyeing me. “I know he’s our friend, dude, but he was cagey before bailing. Now he’s back like nothing happened.”

Logan had no idea that Ander had slept with Raven, and I didn’t like the idea of discussing it with him. He was hurting, and I didn’t want to make it worse.

I’d kind of hoped Raven would talk to him about it herself.

My phone rang, and I frowned as Reid’s name popped up on the screen. I pressed answer and lifted it to my ear, not even greeting him before he spoke. “Where are you?”

“At Beckett’s, why? What’s wrong?” I asked slowly, Beckett’s eyes shifting to mine in question.

“Raven and Lavaro left Riley’s a little while ago. Rae was really upset. Clint took out a second mortgage and the payments are behind. She thought I was still paying it,” he replied tightly, and I blew out a breath.

“Do you know where they were going?”

“To check on the house. Clint tripped a fuse or something and thought the electricity was shut off. If I go after them, I’ll just make it worse. Can you?—”

“Yeah, man. I’ll go and find them.”

“You know he’s fucking her, right?” he asked lightly, and I wasn’t going to lie to him.

“Yeah, I know.”

“You’re okay with that? Isn’t she with you?”

“He treats her right, so I’m fine sharing her,” I said quietly, well aware that Logan heard me because he sat up straight and gave me his full attention.

“You think he treats her right? Dude, he bent her over his fucking car,” Reid bit out, but he didn’t sound angry, just tired.

“If given the chance, you’d bend her over your car too,” I grunted. “I’ll go and find them. Thanks for calling.”

“Look after her,” he said firmly before hanging up, and Beckett sighed.

“I assume you’re leaving?”

“Yeah. Raven was just at Riley’s. Her dad took out a second mortgage on the house and payments are behind,” I stated as I stood, Logan standing from the couch without a word. “Can you drop me off?”

He nodded and pulled his keys from his pocket, saying goodbye as we headed outside. It was still daylight, but the cooling air was the first sign that evening was almost here.

Once we were in the car, Logan turned to me. “Who’s the guy you were talking about on the phone?”

“Lavaro.”

“No, I meant the guy Raven’s seeing. I heard you say you were sharing her with someone.”

I glanced at him, repeating myself slowly. “Lavaro.”

“She fucking hates him,” he said with surprise, looking like I’d slapped him in the face when I answered.

“She wants to hate him, but she can’t. He’s been really good to her, Logan. The new shoes on her feet are thanks to him, or she’d still be wearing those ratty ones that were holding on by a thread. He keeps her safe, cooks for her, and he gave up his bed for us while he took the couch.”

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