Page 15 of Commit

Chapter Five

Starling

Ididn’t want to be here. Call it nerves, call it a sixth sense, but I knew the second I stepped into that house, my life would change forever.

Abbot led me into the lion’s den with whispered apologies, and like an idiot, I let him. The door closed behind us with an ominous bang, making my heart race and my palms feel sweaty.

When Hudson makes an excuse to leave, Abbot looks at me. “Say what you will about Father dearest, but the man has impeccable taste,” he says with a fake British accent.

I offer him a small smile, but he can see right through it.

“Shit, Starling. I really am sorry about before, but there’s no way in hell I’m leaving you vulnerable. If you’re with me, I can keep you safe.”

“Do you really think I should be worried?” I ask, knowing I should run screaming for the hills. But I want him to tell me I’m stupid and overreacting.

“He’s as much of a stranger to me as he is to you. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him since he left us. He said himself that he’s dangerous, and I think we should listen to him.”

Why can’t I be that girl? The one who gets to go home and knows that no matter what happens in the big, bad world, home’s the one place where nothing can touch me.

Unfortunately for me, home was where my monsters lived. I knew this from the first time I understood the difference between good and evil, so why did I keep expecting a different outcome? New houses, new people, new choices, and yet none of them have ever truly made me feel safe. I should have expected it. But hope is a tricky thing. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Even though I sensed the darkness in Hudson on the day of the wake, I also felt safe in his arms, even if it was temporary.

I guess I haven’t had all the stupid beaten out of me just yet.

“Okay. But maybe don’t antagonize him. Once we have enough money saved, we can leave and find our own place. Let’s not screw that up by taking shots at the one person willing to take us in and keep us together.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple. “You’re right. I’ll do better, I promise. I have a lot of unresolved issues with him, but if I can’t keep my mouth shut, I’ll avoid him. It shouldn’t be too hard in a place like this.”

I smile up at Abbot just as Hudson reappears. “Sorry about that,” he apologizes before looking at us. He has an expression on his face that almost looks like anger, but it’s gone before I can question it. “Let me show you up to your room, and then I have to leave. I have some business to attend to in the city, so I won’t be back until late. I’ll leave my card on the counter for you to order some food.”

He walks past us and heads for the stairs before I can protest that we don’t need his card. Abbot shakes his head at me, so I sigh and keep my mouth shut. I guess I need to pick my battles. Abbot takes my hand, and we follow Hudson upstairs.

Hudson walks us to the end of the hallway and opens the door, revealing a room decorated in blue and gray with oak furniture and navy-blue bedding. The view from the window overlooks the driveway and the tall redwood trees that line it.

“I wasn’t sure what you might like, so I left it. We can get whatever you need for it—decorate it however you want.”

“It’s fine,” Abbot says tensely. It’s more than fine. It’s three times the size of his old room, but he’s not going to admit that.

“It’s great, thank you,” I tell Hudson softly.

He looks at me, his jaw tensing, and motions for me to follow. Abbot comes with me as we all move back down the hallway to the first door on the opposite side.

“This is the room I had prepped for you, Starling. I understand you want to stay with Abbot, and that’s fine, but you might as well take this room too.”

He pushes the door open, and I can’t help but gasp. It’s a pretty, feminine space decorated in soft pinks and muted greens with whitewashed vintage furniture, including a vanity with a mirror and a large queen-sized bed.

“If you need space away from us guys or just want somewhere to study or read. Hell, you could turn it into a dressing room for all I care.”

I don’t have enough clothes to fill the dresser, let alone a whole room.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“I had a friend’s wife come and do it for me. She filled it with things she thought you might like. There’s a bunch of stuff in the bathroom for you, too.”

“Wait, did you have this room decorated for me?”

He avoids my eyes but nods. “I wanted you to feel welcome.”

I don’t know what to say to that. Even Abbot looks shocked.