Page 175 of Under an Endless Moon

Lights glowing from the windows and music thrumming from the walls.

People were scattered all over the front lawn and porch, and it was almost impossible to maneuver their way through the crush as they stepped through the front door.

Raven could feel Haddie’s excitement. The exhilaration that buzzed through her as they stepped into the bedlam of the party.

Haddie squeezed her hand as she tossed her a grin. “I’m about to get sloppy drunk tonight.”

Raven rolled her eyes though she couldn’t help but smile. Her best friend was a wild one. Eager to race into every experience.

Raven wished she could be more like her.

Bold and daring.

But it’d taken Haddie three hours to even convince Raven tocome tonight and then another two to coerce her into putting on the slinky, short dress.

She felt out of sorts and out of place. Exposed and unprotected.

But she yearned to step out. Find herself. Embrace who she was hungry to become.

That felt almost impossible since her fears had been more intense lately. The nightmares coming more often and leaving her terrified where she’d wake thrashing in the night.

It was painful without Otto there to come to her. To comfort her and remind her that she was strong and brave.

A fighter.

Her spirit flailed as she thought of him. Behind bars. She missed him. God, she missed him so much that she ached.

Haddie dragged her directly to the kitchen. Booze covered the countertop, and Haddie grabbed them both red cups and poured them each a drink. She handed Raven one and tapped the plastic cup against hers. “To all the fun the night will bring.”

“That sounds dangerous,” Raven said as she tapped her cup back, though she smiled as she brought the rim to her lips and took a sip of the vodka Haddie had mixed with cranberry juice.

Haddie giggled over her cup. “You’re always so worried. Time to let go, Raven. Tonight is going to be a blast. I mean, how couldn’t it be when you’re with me?”

A rush of excitement rolled through Raven, and she tipped her cup back, making the choice to let herself get carried away on the vibe.

And she was having a blast. Dancing with Haddie in the living room with some of the girls that Haddie knew from her neighborhood. They were actually really cool and welcoming to her, so Raven let go of some of her insecurities and instead chased down the thrill.

Hours passed like that. Laughing and dancing and having the best time.

Until Raven’s stomach bottomed out when she saw who came striding through the front door.

Gideon and Dusty and the rest of their crew.

Dread crawled down Raven’s spine. She didn’t have all thedetails, but she was pretty sure from the rumblings she’d heard between River and the rest of the guys that these assholes were responsible for Otto being sent away.

She knew it way down deep the second Gideon’s gaze landed on Haddie and something wicked passed through his features.

She knew it. She knew it.

But Haddie didn’t seem to have a clue. That or she didn’t care.

Because she only pressed her back against him when he slinked up behind her and wound his arm around her stomach, and she begged Raven to keep it a secret when she left with him that night.

Five Months Later

Nerves rattled through her when she heard the clatter at the front door and a commotion of voices in the living room.

“You’re back.”

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