Chapter 25
Reyes
We leave Raven to visit with Lilly and Blakelyn while we go check the rest of the place out. Just to make sure everything is in line. We both figured she could use a little extra time alone with them. As we stroll through the main courtyard that surrounds all the houses, we pause and take it in. Kids' toys all around, the playground that looks well played on but new at the same time. The kids running around playing with not a single care. They look free. What they’ve done here is turn many people’s crappy situations into something they could make a home or turn into a family. They brought together women and children who had been through unspeakable things. She did that. She has done so much for people and still thinks she doesn’t deserve the world, but we will prove her wrong. I, for one, will hand her the world on a golden fucking platter.
“Hey, you think one day maybe she will find peace?” Damien asks, pulling me from my own head.
“One day, maybe when she slays her demons, which we will help her do. Then, I think that’s when she gets peace. For now, everything is unraveling for her all at once. She doesn’t know which way to look or go first,” I reply, and that’s when Sierra walks over towards us.
“Hey you guys. Raven here with y’all too?” She looks around, obviously trying to find her friend.
“Yeah, she’s over at Lilly’s house. Since she hasn’t been to check on things since her wreck, she wanted to come by, and well, we thought it would be easier for us to drive her.” Damien informs her.
“Okay, sweet. I need to check on her before she leaves,” she replies and starts to walk off.
“Wait, before you go,” I ask, stopping her in her tracks, and she pauses to look back at us. “How have things been here? Normal? Nothing she needs to worry about? We’re trying to help her out as much as we can.” I try to ask without seeming like I’m appearing too suspicious.
“Honestly, things have been really great. Better not jinx it though.” She chuckles, and me and Damien just nod in reply. That answer was better than we could’ve expected. Maybe Bret won’t mess around here, but even that doesn't sound convincing even in my head.
By the time we’ve made our way around the safe house compound and talked to the different security guards, I’m pretty sure that everyone here is safe. Not only did Raven make sure of that, but Zeke and Eddie did too.
“I hope one day we can set places like this up in different states to help people. So she can help set all those people free and maybe give them a chance like this at life.” I stop mid-stride and look over at Damien, who just starts grinning like a kid in a candy store.
“Safe houses all over would definitely mean a lot to her. It’s like the one thing we know she won’t ever stop doing,” he replies as we continue to walk.
Coming back towards the courtyard, I see Raven sitting on the swing talking to Sierra. We stand back a ways so we aren’t interrupting their conversation, and I just admire all there is about her. Her long black hair swaying with each gentle back-and-forth motion of the swing. She must sense me staring at her, because she turns to look at us and grins, nodding for us to come over.
“What did you boys get into?” she asks, looking between the both of us.
“Nothing, Angel. Just did a check-in and walked around a bit. We needed some sun,” Damien replies and gives her a push on the swing.
“Alright, guys, I’ll catch up later. I gotta go get ready for work. I’m sure I’ll see you around at some point.” Sierra chuckles, getting up from the swing.
“Don’t give the old man too much trouble.” I laugh, and she just winks, walking off.
“Yeah, I’m never asking about that.” Damien just shakes his head, causing me and Raven to start laughing.
“Whatever floats their boat, I guess,” she says and gets up from the swing. “Time to get to work, boys. The day is still young.” She kisses us both on the cheek and walks towards where we parked. She never stops, she doesn’t know what rest means.
Chapter 26
Damien
We pile into the cars and pull out of the safe house compound, Raven needs to go to the gym and we should really check in again at the garages. Pulling onto the interstate, my phone starts vibrating. Reaching down, I grab it and hit the screen to read the text.
Unknown-
Meet me in thirty minutes.
Unknown-
Sent pinned location.
Looking over at her, she’s still staring out the window. I close that thread and open the one up with Reyes.
Me-
I just got another text.
