Page 73 of Sage Haven
I hesitated. Then, quietly, “I think I might know where they live.”
Her jaw dropped, and her hands flew to her cheeks in disbelief. “You what?” she demanded. “How do you know where Reich lives?”
Her excitement was sharp, almost manic, but excited, nonetheless.
And despite everything, I found myself smiling.
Just a little.
“It’s not what you think,” I said quickly, holding up a hand in surrender.
Her face fell, and the sparkle dulled slightly.
“I walk the preserve across the road. About a quarter mile in, there’s an opening under the trees that leads to…” I trailed off.
The words caught in my throat like barbed wire.
Memories crashed into me. His hand closing around my throat. His voice in my ear.
There’s nothing here for you anymore.
I swallowed the ache down, forcing myself to finish, “It leads to their backyard. I didn’t know it was private property at the time. But now Reich probably thinks I’m some kind of thief or stalker.”
I forced a hollow laugh. “At least, that’s the only explanation I can come up with.”
Even as I said it, my mind drifted back to that night at the festival.
The way he touched me like I belonged to him.
The way he watched me like I was a threat or a prize.
I couldn’t tell the difference anymore.
The memory clawed at me, dragging a raw, aching sob to the surface.
I barely held it in.
But Sam saw it.
She reached for me without hesitation, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me close.
We held each other tightly, our silent grief tangled together in the quiet of my living room.
Her own eyes glistened, though she didn’t let them fall.
When we finally let go, the silence between us was thick.
Heavy with things neither of us could say.
We finished our coffees in that silence.
And then Sam exhaled sharply, “Do you think Castor’s cheating on me?”
I stared at her, at the pain she was trying so hard to hide.
“I don’t think so,” I said gently. “But obviously I can’t be sure.”
Her face crumpled, and I took her hand in mine, squeezing as I continued, “But If he is, he’s a goddamn fool and he doesn’t deserve you.”
