Page 25 of Deal with the Devil

I’m not about to let her hide from me. Fuck that.

I catch her chin between finger and thumb, tipping her head back. “Don’t hide from me.”

She squeezes her eyes closed, like she just can’t handle looking into mine. Her lips wobble. “I hate that you saw that.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed about. You bear no fault for what happened to you.” My throat is tight. I feel murderous, but for her I’ll be gentle. “None.”

Big red rimmed brown eyes flutter open and her lips tremble as she gives me a shaky smile. Fuck, this woman. “Thanks for everything, Kane. You’ve been—such a life saver.”

I wipe at a tear with my thumb. “I’m gonna throwthe suitcase in the back and let the movers take care of the rest, yeah?”

She starts to agree then says, “Wait. I need my candy.”

“We can get you new candy.”

She shakes her head. “Those Santa’s are a bitch to find outside of Christmas. I stock up in December and my stash has to last all year. I can’t leave them behind.” She straightens in the seat, still puffy from her tears but looking stronger now. “Oh, and my laptop. I don’t know how I forgot about that. It’s on the kitchen table.”

Looking at her, I know she isn’t about to give up. “I’ll run up,” I tell her. “Lock the truck.”

“I can come?—”

“No.” It’s the first time I’ve ever been firm with her. She takes it well, sitting back in the seat and nodding. “I’ll be back soon.” I lean in and press a kiss to her forehead, and then I’m walking back to that place I know will house her nightmares for a long, long time.

twelve

Nevaeh

It’s amazing how fast two and a half weeks can pass. What’s more amazing is how little I feel a desire to return to the real world, when this world I’ve slipped into has been so incredibly comfortable to lose myself in.

“Where are you, baby?” Mama asks over the line.

“I’m—in a safe place.”

Mama harrumphs. “Butwhereis this safe place? I dropped by your apartment thinking we could do lunch and you weren’t there. Then I dropped by the next day and again no answer, so I used my key and guess what I found?”

I wince, because how hadn’t I thought Mamawould come calling eventually? Like I’d told Kane, I’m close with my parents. “Not me.”

“Not you and nothing,” Mama’s pitch rises. “The place is empty.” She hisses down the line. “I felt like I was breaking in by entering that place, Nevaeh. Should I even have a key?”

I wince. “Probably not.”

“Where are you living?”

“I’m living—”God, why can’t I say it?“Mama, I have a lot to tell you. A lot has happened.”

“I still haven’t heard about why you broke the engagement with Antonio.” Mama huffs. “Now you tell me there’s a lot you must tell me. Are you in trouble?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Then where are you, Nevaeh, and why is Kate crying to me about you refusing her calls? Why are you not living in your apartment, and why did you move without telling me?”

I close my eyes and pull in a deep breath. She’s going to freak, but I can’t keep this from her any longer. It’s not right. She deserves the truth—or as much of it as I can tell her. “Mama, make a tea and sit down, okay?”

“Lord, it’s that bad.” I think she says a small prayer before she informs me. “I already have tea.”

“Are you sitting?”

Yep,definite prayer. “I am.”

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