Page 34 of Haven Bound
“Hey…” Chelsea’s soft voice breaks the silence as her fingertips trace over one of the scars that decorates my abdomen.
I hum in response, not yet ready for this moment between us to end.
“You never did tell me why you came home,” she says softly, sitting up on her forearm. Her hand rests on my chest while her green eyes search mine.
Fuck. I knew this was coming.
The final part of my confession that I was hoping I could hang on to just a little bit longer. Maybe it was wrong of me to let anything happen between us without her knowing every piece of the story, but all rational thought went out the window the second her lips pressed against mine.
I sit up, causing her to pull her hand away from my chest as I swing my legs off the side of the bed. I bend down to gather my boxer briefs and pants which are now wrinkled after being tossed to the ground.
How do I tell her that I came home to kill somebody she knows? Granted, my target isn’t somebody who is presently part of her life, but he was at one point. However, I highly doubt that she would be sad to find out that he will be taken care of.
If I ever stop procrastinating and just fucking do it.
“I came back for an assignment,” I sigh, jaw clenching as I stand to get dressed. The hotel room is quiet while we both gather our clothing and put ourselves back together.
I’m not ready for this to end.
Thiscan’tend.
I refuse to lose her. I just got her back.
“Okay… who, um…” We’re facing one another now, both fully dressed. Her arms fold across her chest as she stares at the ground like she’s searching for the right words before she looks up at me. “Who is your assignment?” She giggles at her question and reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks tinting pink. “Sorry, I wasn’t sure how to phrase that…”
A slight smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I release the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “It’s alright. My assignment is—” I’m cut off by the sound of a phone ringing. Walking over to the nightstand where I’d left it, I see my father’s name displayed across the screen. I hit ‘ignore’ and slip the phone into my pocket. I’ll call him back. This conversation with Chelsea is too important to wait.
“Sorry about that,” I say, crossing the room to take one of her hands in mine as I use the other to tip her chin up so she’s forced to meet my gaze. “I’ve been dragging my feet with this assignment because it’s—” Again the loud ringing of my phone fills the space between us, and I pull it out of my pocket with a frustrated growl.
“Can I call you back?” I ask, keeping my focus entirely on Chelsea as I await my father’s response.
“Son, why hasn’t Daniel Witters been taken care of yet? We just received another report from Mercer’s connection at Rivercrest PD.” The color red threatens to overtake my vision, and I drop Chelsea’s hand and turn toward the hotel window that overlooks the beach below.
“What kind of report?” I suddenly have this sinking feeling that I’ve waited too long to make a move. My hesitation may have caused someone else traumatizing pain.
“Sounds like it was filed anonymously. Whoever it was claimed that Dan was seen sitting outside of her home several days in a row. No other suspicious behavior was noted, but given his record, he needs to be removednow.No more hesitation, Austin. Get it done.” There’s aclick,and then the line goes silent.
There’s no room for argument or discussion.
My time is up.
Chelsea crosses the room and reaches for my hand, her fingers lacing with mine. “Austin?” Her voice is soft and unsure.
Heaving a sigh, I slip my phone back into my pocket and drop my head back as I close my eyes and do my best to gather any strength I have remaining. Her hand squeezes mine as her unanswered question hangs in the air between us.
“It’s your stepfather,” I finally say, turning back around to face her. She pulls her hand away from mine, a heavy weight settling in the pit of my stomach as I brace myself for her to walk away.
“What do you mean?” Her voice trembles, and I know this is it. She’s going to tell me that she didn’t mean it when she said I wasthe best persononce she realizes I’m going to kill someone she knows. Even if thatsomeoneis responsible for so much of the pain and trauma she lives with every single day.
“Daniel Witters is my assignment.” I force myself to hold her gaze as I say, “I came home to kill your stepfather.”
26
Chelsea
I’ve been thinking aboutall of the reasons why Austin could be back in Haven Beach since the day he walked into Buttersweet Bakery. Not once did I imagine that his reason would be to kill the man who was, at one point, supposed to be like a father figure to me.
Daniel Witters is my assignment. I came home to kill your stepfather.
