Page 71 of Safe Haven

I left Trevor’s house thinking tonight was a total fucking loss. I didn’t get to kill him. I didn’t find Audrey’s dog. But listening to the soft sound of Audrey breathing and Becca’s occasional snores, a smile works across my face.

Audrey’s been alone for so long. Kept everyone at arm’s length because she didn’t want to endanger them. But tonight, she got to hang out with a friend. Someone she doesn’t have to worry about tainting. Someone who understands exactly what she’s going through. Someone I suspect might be just as good of a friend to Audrey as Audrey would be to her.

She might not kill for her, but I know firsthand Becca will assault a man with a full bottle of laundry detergent without batting an eye.

TWENTY-TWO

AUDREY

“That second bottle of wine might have been a mistake.” Becca’s voice is rough and ragged beside me. “We might be idiots.”

I feel a little bad because Idon’tfeel bad this morning. Becca was struggling last night, so I ordered a couple bottles of wine from room service to go with our dinner. I wasn’t sure what Becca liked, so I got a red and a white for her to choose from.

She pickedboth, which is probably why she looks like death warmed over right now.

“Maybe some breakfast will help?” I’m not sure how to make her feel better. She’s super tiny and consumed the bulk of the wine all by herself, so I can imagine she is feeling pretty freaking terrible right now.

But last night she was in a great mood and able to forget about everything for a little while, so maybe it was worth it.

“Eww.” One hand clamps across her mouth. “I don’t even want to think about food right now.” She slowly works her way upright. “I just want to take a shower and go back to bed.”

“That’s probably a good idea. Showers always make me feel better.” That’s a lie. There’s been plenty in my life a shower couldn’t come close to easing. But in this instance it might actually help a little.

Becca gets to her feet, wobbling a little before finding her balance. She looks down at the pajamas she’s wearing. “Do you want these back?”

“Keep them.” I feel bad she doesn’t have any extra clothes and I do. I can’t even lend her any of mine because I’m at least five inches taller than she is, so not a single bit of it will fit her. “I’ll talk to Maddox today. See if he knows when they’ll be able to go to your house and get some of your stuff.”

Becca’s now walking with her eyes closed, making her way toward the door of my room. “I literally do not give a shit about my clothes right now.” She reaches the door, pulling it open before patting the sides of her hips. With a groan, she turns back to collect her key card off the table, then attempts her exit again. “I’ll talk to you later.” She stops, turning back my way before going out. Managing some semblance of a smile, she gives me a little wave. “Thank you. I really needed last night.”

I smile back, because while it might not have been under the best circumstances, and seems to have resulted in a monster hangover for Becca, last night was really fun. And I haven’t had fun with a friend in a really long time. “Anytime.”

Becca grimaces. “Notanytime. Maybe never again.” Her nostrils flare as her eyes close. “Next time we’ll just gorge on chocolate or something.”

“Deal.” I watch her go, expecting the door to shut behind her.

Instead, it swings right back open as Maddox passes Becca, giving her a concerned look as she disappears down the hall. He turns to me, angling a brow. “Did you girls have fun last night?”

“Yes.” I smooth down my hair. “But I’m not sure Becca’s enjoying the fallout.”

Maddox looks me over as he comes my way carrying two coffees and a bag of delicious smelling food. “What about you? You look pretty good considering there’s two empty bottles of wine.”

My eyes zero in on the caffeine. “That was mostly Becca.” Sliding off the bed, I move toward him, intent on filling my belly with food and my veins with sweet and creamy invigorating goodness. “What about you?” I pull one of the drinks free of the carrier and lift my eyes to his. “How was your night?”

I’m not sure I want to know. It’s obvious he wasn’t able to find Coco, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t able to accomplish the rest of what he went out to do.

And I feel... Surprisingly indifferent about it.

After Maddox left, I expected worry to creep in. Maybe sadness. Some sort of negative emotion at knowing my ex-husband could be dead at any moment. That’s why I initially went to find Becca. I assumed she would be having just as strange of an evening as I was, and hoped we could help distract each other.

But it turned out only one of us was really having a rough night, and it wasn’t me. If anything, I was feeling hopeful. Excited that maybe I would get to see Coco soon.

That my life could finally move forward.

“My night was not what I expected it to be.” Maddox sets down the drink carrier and opens the bag, fishing out one of the hamand cheese pastries I love so much and passing it over. “Trevor’s house was ransacked, and there was no sign of Coco anywhere inside.”

I’m disappointed, but not surprised. “He might have given her away. Passed Coco off to someone else just to spite me.” That would actually be preferable to him keeping her. Imagining Coco with Trevor turns my stomach.

If she’s part of a loving home where she gets pets and cuddles and treats? That I can live with.

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