Page 1 of Digit's Deflection
PROLOGUE
Twelve Years Ago
Liora
I’m counting the minutes down as I listen to Dad’s drunken ranting in the living room. Seven o’clock can’t come soon enough. It’s almost time for me to meet Treven at the hut, but I won’t be able to get out of the house if he doesn’t pass out before I’ve got to go. Since he boarded all the windows and the back door shut, the only way to get out of the house now is through the front door.
With only four more days until graduation, I just need to hang in there.Onlyfour more days until I can leave with Treven to Chicago and a whole new life. As the shouts become mutterings, I hold my breath, waiting for the right moment to make my escape.
It’s five after seven when I feel the phone Treven gave me vibrate in the pocket of my jeans. Shit, I should have thought to let him know. With the frustration of waiting for this fucking man to pass out, I completely forgot to message him.
Treven: Hey Li. All ok?
Me: Waiting for the sperm donor to pass out. Sorry, should have let you know.
Treven: That’s ok. I understand. I’ll be waiting when you’re ready.
Me: It’s getting quieter. I don’t think it’ll be much longer. Hopefully.
Treven: See you soon then.
It always makes me smile when Treven adds heart emojis. He’s so not an emoji kind of guy, and it makes me feel special when he uses them with me.
Isn’t it typical – my father always manages to ruin everything for me, without even trying. From the time my mother bailed and left me with him, it’s been just the two of us. And it’s been hell ever since. He blames me for her leaving – “the love of his life” – and he’s made me pay for it every single day. I hope wherever the bitch is, she’s as miserable as I am.
Treven is the only thing that keeps me going. The promise of a better life far, far away from this hell hole. The vision of a life with Treven and without my father keeps me sane and working my ass off to get the best grades I possibly can, so I can get a good job to distract me from when Treven goes on missions.
We leave the day after graduation, and he’ll start training soon after. I. Cannot. Wait. The only question is, where will we live? Or more importantly, I guess, ishowwill we live? I have no idea, but I’m putting my trust in him, just as he told me to. If he says he’ll find a way, he will. He’s a man of his word.
My phone vibrates again.
Treven: Just checking you’re still ok.
Me: Yeah, all good. I should be leaving shortly. It sounds like he’s finally passed out.
Treven: I’ll be here. Love you.
Me: Love you more.
Taking my courage in both hands, I creep out of my room and down the hall, avoiding the bits of floor that make a sound. I pause by the gaping hole in the wall that Dad made one nightduring one of his dark rages, cursing Mother’s name to the bowels of hell. It looks ugly, but certainly makes for a convenient peephole.
He’s slouched over in his recliner, and I draw a sigh of relief that I can finally escape. I watch for a minute or two longer to make sure he’s not just sitting there quietly, waiting to catch me as I make my escape, but when he lets out a harsh snore, I know I’m good to go.
I haul ass down the road toward the abandoned forest ranger’s hut where Treven is waiting for me. Apparently, he has something special planned for us tonight, and I’m dying to know what it is. Anticipation builds as I get ever closer to my destination until, finally, I skid to a halt outside our tiny hideaway.
Completely out of breath, I take a moment before opening the door, only to lose it again. The sight that meets me leaves me speechless. Treven has created a candlelit paradise in the ramshackle little hut, on the edge of the forest that no one ever visits anymore. The flickering light of countless candles lends a moody vibe to the room. Vibrant pinks and reds of rose petals scattered around soften that, in turn.
And in the shadowy corner, reclining on the small mattress he found somewhere, I spy a shirtless, muscled Treven.
My mouth waters at the sight of him. The light shimmers on his skin, muscles flexing as he moves. He has a six-pack older men would kill for. Between helping his dad on their family farm and spending time in the gym, he’s built up plenty of muscle.
Blindly, I close the door, eyes trained on him. He gives me that smile that lights me up inside and makes me want to do things I have little understanding of. All I know is it makes my hormones holler and hoot.
“Lock the door and come over here,” he says, patting the empty space beside him. Suddenly unsure, I swallow hard but do as I’m told. As I settle, he runs a finger down my cheek. “Hey.”
“Hi,” I manage.
“I know we said we’d wait until after graduation to take our relationship up a notch, but I can’t wait.”
