Page 42 of Resilient Rhythms
As soon as he appears in the kitchen entrance, I rush him. He wraps his arms around me and I half collapse, letting him absorb my body weight, my exhaustion, my unraveling fear.
“You’re safe, beauty,” Mav murmurs as he tightens his hold on me.
I breathe him in, regulating my heartbeat. “I never saw him.”
“Doesn’t mean he didn’t see you,” Mav notes ominously.
I pull back to look at him. His jaw is tight, his eyes are blazing, and I know he’s furious.
“Sorry,” he bites out, wincing. “I just hate that this shit hasn’t been solved.”
“I know.”
“But we’re going to get him, Mckenna. I promise.”
Nodding, I bury my face back into his shirt. He holds me until the police arrive. Dad’s traveling for work and out of town but called three times already to check in.
After I speak with the police, incessant knocking sounds at the door.
Fear skates up my spine and I pale, staring at Mav.
But when Mav checks who it is, he sighs and pulls the door open. Drew bursts inside.
“Kenny!” he exclaims, relief streaking across his expression when he sees me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Honest,” I say, wanting to reassure him. I gave him the day off since I was planning to study at home and then have dinner with Maverick. “The grocery store run was an impulse.” My eyes dart to Mav. “I wanted to make chicken and mushroom wellington for dinner. I wanted todosomething. Feel like we were going on a real date and…it was stupid.”
Drew shakes his head. “It’s a normal reaction to want to get out. I just wish you had called me. I would have come with you.”
“I know.” I gesture to the front door two police officers walked out of a few minutes earlier. “The police are going to see if they can pull security footage from the supermarket and gas station next door.”
Drew nods.
“They’re treating it as an ongoing harassment investigation,” Mav supplies.
Drew nods again, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I’m sorry, Mckenna.”
“It’s not your fault,” I say. “It’s mine.”
Mav wraps an arm around me and I melt into his side.
“I’ll be here tonight, Drew. We’ll see you in the morning,” Mav says, his tone controlled even though his words are clipped.
But I know he’s not angry with Drew. Or me. He’s angry about this situation, he’s frustrated that we’re still walking on eggshells in our daily lives, he’s furious that Bran’s been MIA and no one, not the police, not the security Mav hired, not even Bran’s father, can find him.
After Drew leaves, Mav turns on some music, and we cook dinner together in the kitchen.
Slowly, I regain my equilibrium. But Mav remains tense and closed off for the remainder of the evening. He’s lost in his thoughts, his eyes clouded with shadows I dislike.
After dinner, Mav and I sip our mint tea.
“I want to stay here tonight,” he announces, his eyes studying my expression.
“Okay,” I say slowly.
“I’ll crash on the couch so?—”
“No.” I shake my head. “Stay with me, Mav. Be with me.”
