Page 123 of Injustice and Absolution

I have to try to tell Haven that I’m in trouble. But I need to be very careful. If Drew or Ethan find out, I’ll be putting her in harm’s way. I can’t have that fallout on my conscience, on top of everything else currently weighing it down.

For the first fifteen minutes, Drew stands in the doorway, silent but threatening. Quietly, I will him to go. To find something else to get ready or pay attention to for a few minutes so I may get the chance to speak to Haven.

Five minutes later, my wish comes true.

Drew pulls a phone I’ve never seen him use before from his pocket then curses. Ethan speaks from somewhere in the hallway, out of view from the mirror’s reflection, and I hear Drew mumble something about a location change.

The second he steps out of the reflection, my stomach flip-flops.

Do I chance it? Do I pull Haven into this nightmare, endangering her life as well as mine?

I can’t not.

“Haven.” Her name comes out in a sharp whisper.

Luckily, she’s in front of me, getting ready to dust a layer of blush on my cheeks. She stops working and looks at me, question in her stare.

“Don’t stop but listen carefully.” My eyes dart to the empty doorway as I begin to tremble. “I’m in trouble. Drew isn’t who you think he is.”

I stop talking long enough to make sure Drew’s attention is still occupied. Then I look her dead in the eyes, my expression as serious as a heart attack.

“This isn’t a date. Someone paid to sleep with me, and he’s delivering me to him tonight. He’s been trafficking me, pimping me out through the club.”

As concern swims in her eyes, I hear someone clear their throat behind us. When I look in the mirror again, I see Ethan has taken Drew’s place.

“Everything okay?” his eyebrow lifts.

As I struggle to say anything, Haven answers, “Yes, I was just trying to decide which shade of eye shadow to use.”

Good cover… Hopefully.

But Ethan leaves it at that, and Haven gets back to work, moving a little slower than she was previously. We shoot one another knowing glances occasionally.

Mine in warning.

Hers in support.

I don’t know if she’ll be able to help, or how. But just the fact that someone else knows sets me a little more at ease. Perhaps she’ll go to the police after she leaves here and report what I told her?

“Wrap it up, Haven.” Drew is back in the doorway, and my eyes shoot to his. I watch Ethan lean in and whisper something to him, and my anxiety spikes. His eyes narrow, and he nods, not taking his eyes from me.

“Just about done,” she answers as she coats my eyelashes in mascara.

When she’s finished, she looks to Drew for approval.

“Very nice,” he commends her. “Let’s go, Delilah.”

I stand on shaky legs, and Haven wraps me in one of her arms.

“Take these,” she whispers before saying, “have so much fun,” a little louder so Drew and Ethan can hear her.

I feel something cold and hard hit the palm of my right hand, so I close my fist around it, concealing whatever it is as best as I can.

If Drew finds out she’s helping me, there’s no doubt in my mind her life will be in danger.

I silently thank her as I pull away.

And hope I didn’t make a huge mistake.

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