Page 21 of Safe Haven
He searches my face and then curses softly before stepping back and putting the gun back in its holster.
“You’re the cousin, Haven.” I nod once quickly.
A sob escapes this man, and he kicks the tree next to Mercy’s bike. He turns his back on us and places his hands on his hips with his face up to the night sky.
“When?” I’m not sure who he’s asking, but Loki answers.
“Two nights ago.” He curses and wipes his face before turning around to me.
“She called me for help, but I was in Washington State. I told her to wait. She never fucking listened.” He turns to me and offers his hand.
“Ricardo Gable, Danica was my old lady.” I shake his hand.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” He smiles softly at me in thanks, then clears his throat and faces Loki.
“You Prez now?” She shakes her head and points at me with her thumb.
“The job ain’t done. We needed her to impersonate Mercy. Duchess was not fooled but okayed the plan. Said it’s our mess to fix.” He looks me up and down.
“Seriously?” I’m so fucking sick of people underestimating me.
“Yeah, seriously. If Mercy could figure this out, then I shouldn’t have a fucking problem. I’m a fucking doctor after all.” He backs up with his hands out.
“With the Italian Jersey temper, too, I see. Alright, you’re gonna need a mentor and guide. I’m here, so use me. I can help you sell this. In the meantime, when is the funeral?” He had a point.
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“About that.”
Chapter Eleven
HAVEN
I’m standing outside my office at the funeral home, listening to Apex cry and grieve my cousin alone. The crashes and breaking noises have not stopped.
“He’s fucking up the office.” Corvin stands next to me with a frown while he taps his foot.
“He lost his wife and didn’t get to say goodbye. I can fix and replace the office.” I cringe when I hear glass break.
“That was the fucking window!” Corvin stomps over to the door and rips it open.
“ENOUGH!” He grabs Apex and puts him in a headlock.
They fumble through the doorway into the preparation area and knock into the table where Danica’s urn is sitting. It falls over and rolls ready to crash to the floor, but Loki snags it mid-air as Apex takes Corvin to the ground.
Wrong move.
Ten seconds later, Corvin has him in an armbar submission as they both huff.
“I wrestled all through high school and college fuckface. I love bringing men like you down to their knees, but I’m not gonna let you ruin a business that we have killed ourselves tobuild. Now, either you calm the fuck down, or I’ll break this arm. Make a move, big boy.” Corvin pulls harder to prove his point, and Apex growls.
“Fuck, fine!” Corvin lets him go with a shove.
“You’re fucking cleaning that and paying for repairs.” He walks past me and high-fives Loki.
“I wanna be him when I grow up,” I smirk as I watch Apex sitting on my floor, staring daggers at the urn.
“You loved her.”
