Page 41 of In the Pursuit of Haven
Nothing had changed, had it? He still closely guarded his secrets against me, and I remembered that this Hunter jerk had threatened to reveal some indiscretion Jessie hadn’t told me yet. Could it possibly be as bad as what Jessie was doing now? It must be or he’d talk. The thought chilled me.
“Whatever they have over you,” I said, “it’s not worth it. Just spill everything. We’ll work through this together. Don’t do this. Listen to me,” I pleaded. “Please.”
“I can’t.”
I stiffened at his outright refusal, and he tilted his head at me, biting those expressive lips of his down; I knew how expressive—they’d only been on mine minutes earlier, showing me everything that was inside of him, and yet, his words betrayed every confidence I had in him.
“Roxy, please,” he said. “I’m doing the best I can here.”
Not good enough.I broke his hold on me, fumbling with the wheel to get us out of here.
“What if I told you this was for your protection?” he asked.
Protection? Is that how he justified shutting me out? “You’re putting this on me?”
“No, honey! That’s not it. Just trust me.” His hand found my hip.
I shrugged him off. “No, I’m not doing this!” I pressed down the gas, getting us out of these romantic waters before I lost my every brain cell.
Giving in to Jessie wasn’t going to keep him alive.
Was anything? I fumed while we shot for Baker’s Island. He let out a sound of frustration and leaned back against the seat. The ride home was a long cold one while I tried to hold in the rest of my tears. I averted my head just in case any of them decided to take over again.
He’d made it very clear that he had no intention of listening to me and I had no idea what I was going to do about it.
We docked next to his boat. I glanced over at him. “How did you…?”
“Abby.” He shrugged at hitching a ride with her. “I wanted to keep an eye on her too.”
And I betsheknew all about those ruffians. He sure let in his sister more than he did me. Wordlessly, I tied up Haven’s boat and jumped off the worn side into the rocks. I marched ahead of him through the overgrown pathway.
As soon as we pushed through the door of the keeper’s dwelling, Finn charged. This time I was eager for the yellow Labrador’s over-exuberant greetings, hugging him close to me. “Finn’s sleeping with me tonight,” I announced.
“Great,” he said with a sarcastic nod. His eyes shifted to the cat, and he dug out the allergy medicine from the kitchen. “So you want me to take the couch or the guest room you said you don’t have?” he called from behind the open fridge door.
“Do what you want, that’s what you do anyway…” my voice died when he came swaggering from the kitchen, already peeling off his shirt. I noticed a few bruises forming against his stomach and ribcage. One had the mark of whatever ring Hunter had been wearing. I was going to be sick. He threw off his shirt on his way to the couch.
I strangled over a sob and picked up an empty box and charged up the stairs into Haven’s room. Finn followed me as I worked open the lock. I slammed the door behind us.
How could I stay here another minute and watch Jessie spiraling down more dangerous roads? That meant we had to finish this job of packing fast. Furiously throwing what I could from the dresser into the box, I resisted the urge to pore over Haven’s every memento and piece of memorabilia. I’d have plenty of time to do that later… after I got away.
As soon as I was through with that chore, I went for Haven’s pictures hanging like a spider web over her walls. I tugged down my wedding invitation a little more roughly than I did the others. I rushed to Haven’s closet next.
Her papers went into the box, followed by the photo albums and yacht club notices, the society papers. My eyes went over the clothes—they were worn, but well-kept and smelled tantalizingly of her.
Would I be packing like this for Jessie soon?
The thought sent me crumpling to the ground in a sobbing heap. The dog whimpered and licked my face while I gave in to my grief and the worries eating at me. I muffled the sound against the carpet. No way did I want Jessie hearing and trying to comfort me with meaningless, “I’ve got it all taken care of” talk. He’d done enough. I caught my breath against the worn creamy fibers.
And this wasn’t going to get Haven’s room packed.
Straightening, I pushed back to my feet, working through my silent tears, though occasionally a burst of emotion wracked through me. A heavy box tipped from the top of the closet when I leaned too hard on the shelf. The books inside crashed to the ground.
Finn scrambled out of the way.
“You okay up there?” Jessie shouted from downstairs.
I steadied my voice. “I’m fine!”
