AllFreeNovel Stories worth discovering

Carver’s Crusade

Page 58

by K.L. Barstow

That earns the faintest huff of laughter from her, but it disappears fast.

She turns toward me, fingers twisting together nervously. “Can I stay with you instead?”

Something in my chest tightens.

“You sure?”

Raven nods slowly. “I just…” Her voice softens. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

“Yeah, sweetheart.” I close the door behind us. “You can stay with me.”

Her shoulders loosen a fraction at the answer.

My room isn’t complicated. Big king-sized bed against the far wall. Dark dresser beneath the mounted television. Two nightstands cluttered with random shit—loose bills, spare knife, charger cables, old books I never finish reading. It’s functional more than impressive, but Raven’s gaze moves around it like she’s trying to absorb the safety of the space.

“You want me to draw you a bath?” I ask. “Might help you relax.”

Raven hesitates before nodding. “That actually sounds really nice.”

“You got it.”

I head into the bathroom and turn the water on hot. Steam immediately starts curling upward as the tub fills. I adjust the temperature before glancing back toward the bedroom.

“Get comfortable,” I tell her. “I’ll be right back.”

She gives me a tired nod.

I step into the hallway, pulling the door mostly shut behind me, and nearly run straight into Caitlin carrying folded towels.

“Well,” she says with a knowing look, “you two look like you’ve had a hell of a night.”

“You could say that.”

Concern replaces the teasing in her expression. “How’s Raven doing?”

I drag a hand down my beard. “Not great. I’m drawing her a bath and grabbing her a glass of wine.”

Caitlin’s eyes soften immediately. “Actually, hold on. I’ve got something that might help.”

Before I can ask what she means, she disappears into her and Scar’s room.

I head downstairs toward the bar, grab a bottle of red from behind the counter, and a glass. The clubhouse is quieter than usual tonight, but I still catch snippets of conversation about Tony Martin as I pass through.

Everybody’s waiting for tomorrow’s Church. The tenor of the room can only be described as pissed off.

Good.

When I head back upstairs, Caitlin is leaning against the wall outside my room, holding a small purple sphere.

She lifts it with a grin. “Lavender bath bomb. Trust me.”

I take it from her. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“I know.” Her smile softens. “Take care of her, Carver.”

Something about the way she says it lands hard in my chest.

“Planning on it.”