Page 26 of Keeping Ava

“Is it safe to do so?” I counter his question, liking the idea of going outside with him more than I should. My heart wants to grasp the opportunity to do something normal…with him.

He nods again. “You’re always safe with me.”

“I trust you.”

“Thank you.” Turning his face, his warm eyes settle on mine. “They’ll also be two squad cars nearby until Jason is caught. They’re only a radio call away.”

“Okay.” Taking in a deep breath, I let it out slowly. “And do you promise to be completely honest with me?”

“Yes.”

No hesitation. No doubt.

“Then yes. I’d really like that.”

* * *

I’m speechless. Horrified. Overwhelmed by everything Elijah has said.

Mind going around in a hundred directions as I try to make sense of his words.

More girls. More lives taken, and each one is my fault.

Christ, will this nightmare ever end?

My eyes close as tears gather at the corner of my eyes. I’m trying hard to control my emotions. To not show how helpless I feel, but as a lone drop falls down my cheek, he wraps an arm around my shoulders and tucks me against his side.

“Whatever you are thinking...stop,” he murmurs into my hair, placing the tiniest of kisses there. It’s comforting, and if I’m being honest with myself, I want to burrow deeper into his warmth and never come out. “None of this is your fault, Ava. Do you hear me?”

“But—”

“None of it.”

The vehemence in his tone pulls me from my temporary safe haven, and I look at him through watery eyes and trembling lip. “There’s more to our past than what’s in your notes, Elijah. I should’ve known...should’ve seen the signs when we were kids and told someone about his—”

“Tell me.” There’s not a single hint of reproach in his stare, nor does he pull away from me. Instead, his arm lowers to encircle my waist as he looks out over the water, letting me take my time.

“Everything began...shit!” The sound of a seagull suddenly flying close pulls my attention away from the man sitting beside me on this pier. It gives me a respite to gather my thoughts. To confess something that only three other people know.

This isn’t the first time Jason tried to harm me.

Two more birds follow, and I duck a bit as one glides close.

“They won’t hurt you,” he says from beside me, but I can’t turn away from them. They are so many. Most are perched along the tide pools below us, yapping and cleaning their feathers before taking flight once more, some to feed, others to harass the people walking among them.

For the most part they don’t come near us, though, giving preference to a group of what looks to be tourists feeding them bread down below.

This scene seems so normal and is slightly amusing considering the reasons we’re here. The topic of our conversation.

What I need to tell him.

It’s also interrupted by the sudden loud ringing of Eli’s phone. At once, I shift my eyes over and take note of the way his jaw ticks. Of the grim line of his lips.

He’s pissed, and yet remains cool while muttering a low fuck.

“Everything okay?” I ask, taking account of the sudden annoyance crossing his features.

“Yeah,” is all he says while pulling the phone from his pocket, reading the message, and then returning it to its place. Those eyes of his are warm, though, as they meet mine, and the sudden apprehension that settled into my bones at once dissipates. “It’s my mom, Ava. I owe her a call and she’s just nagging...I promise.”

---