A loop of ivy snags my foot, and I faceplant in a bed of soggy moss.
Fuck!
Pain slices through my leg, my Brunellos torn by the rock that nearly eviscerated my fucking kneecap.
I scramble up, limping off one way, hesitating, turning the other way.
“Haven!” Her name tears out of my throat in a hoarse roar. “You can’t hide from me!”
I hold my heaving breath for a moment, straining to hear which direction Haven went.
But all I can hear is rain.
My fist slams into the nearest tree, and I equal parts relish and hate the sharp ache spearing up my arm. I’m seconds away from giving up and trying to find my way back to Greek Row when I hear a faint tinkle, like a fairy granting someone a wish.
Jesus, I’m losing my mind.
But I limp off in that direction anyway, because that’s better than just standing here. And thank God I listened to my gut, because I find Haven’s shoes a few minutes later.
I’m smirking as I pick them up and study them.
Does she know I’m on her trail?
My smirk melts away.
Or is she trying to throw me off track?
That’s when a glint of light catches my eye. At first, I think it’s just a reflection from somewhere outside the trees, like a distant street light or something.
Until I hobble closer.
The trees thin out, then stop.
It’s like I’ve stepped into a modern-day retelling of Hansel and Gretel.
The light I saw is a solar-powered spotlight aimed at the ground surrounding someone’s property.
That little fairy-tinkle? A dainty wind chime.
I keep to the edges of the pool of light, trying to blend with the shadows as I map out the area. Then, clenching my jaw, I risk leaving the trees.
The chances Havendidn’tend up here are slim.
I step closer, flexing my hands in and out of fists.
She doesn’t know what’s coming.
It’s time I reminded her exactly who she belongs to. Who she’salwaysbelonged to. Not Rooke. Not anyone else who’s touched her since she left Agony Hollow.
Haven Lee isn’t just running from me.
She’s running from the truth.
She’s mine.
Always has been.
Alwaysfucking will be.
