Page 83 of Dirty Secrets
Logan: No rush. Isla’s still here. Is Rae okay? She called you?
Zavier: She’s just mad and a little hurt by what he said. I spotted her heading towards the old school on some cameras, so I came to find her.
Logan: Thanks, man. I’ll try to get Isla out of here.
Raven’s fingers threaded through mine, her nose wrinkled as she glanced at my phone.
“Reid?”
“Logan. I just wanted him to know you’re okay. Grab your gun.”
She did as she was told, tucking it into the back of her pants again before her hand returned to mine.
Once on the ground level again, we walked towards where I’d parked Logan’s car, and she hesitated before deciding on the passenger seat. I would’ve let her drive if she’d wanted, it didn’t bother me.
The drive to Ashburn Valley was uneventful, and I smiled as we stepped inside and Penn bounced towards us, almost knocking me over with a hug.
For a little thing, she had some strength.
“Zav! Cruz said you were at the compound today. What are you guys doing here? Lunch?” she beamed, turning to face Raven. “Hey. Sit wherever you want.”
Raven chuckled, used to Penn’s excitement, and Penn happily followed alongside us to our usual table.
Harley wandered out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel. “Lopez.”
“Cashing in my favor. Raven’s hungry,” I replied, and he raised an eyebrow.
“Your favor is a free meal?”
“If you feed us and let us have a shake too, we’re even,” I confirmed, amusement flashing in his eyes.
“Alright. What do you want?”
I glanced at Raven and she grinned. “Burger with fries and a chocolate shake.”
“Same for me,” I chuckled, knowing she should eat something better for the first meal of the day, but knowing any food I fed her was better than nothing.
Harley walked off to make our food, telling Penn to get back to work, and Raven hooked her legs with mine under the table with a sigh.
“I’m glad Penn’s doing so well, but she makes me tired,” she joked, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“We’ll eat so we can go home and nap. Sound good?”
“So good.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
REID
“Stop worrying about her. You’re better off with her gone anyway,” Mom huffed as I paced the kitchen. Raven had been gone for hours, and the guilt from my harsh words had now turned into concern.
She could handle herself, I knew that, but bad things happened around here, and she was vulnerable alone.
“It’s Raven’s house, Mom,” I mumbled, making her snort.
“I thought you said you pay for everything? Sounds like it’s yours. Kick her out, trust me.”
Logan shot me an annoyed look, and I was probably lucky he hadn’t swung at me yet. I was one hundred percent an asshole for what I’d said to Raven, but she just frustrated me when she spoke to Mom like that.