Page 51 of Moon Claimed
Hell fucking no.“I appreciate that. But I’d like to be alone.”
His hold tightened. “I’dlike to pull apart whatever you’re holding inside, but I’m going to be an adult about this.”
Drawing away, I peered up. “Uh, thanks?”
“You should thank me. Adulting is something I prefer to avoid. Just please promise there’s nothing to worry about.”
I eyed the cabin. “The only thing to worry about is the state of this place. You have perfect timing.”
He groaned. “I fell into that one. Before I forget. The accommodation team want to start letting the riverside apartment again. They found your saxophone inside. I put it just outside.”
My mouth dried. “Okay.”
“I’ll grab it. I know you have an unhealthy relationship with it.”
“No, no. It’ll get dusty with this mess. I’ll grab it later.”
Fucking thing can stay out there and rust.
Wade started with the broom and dustpan as I grabbed a rag and surface spray. I listened to his singing, rolling my shoulders that perpetually ached.
I was so sore that feeling terror was almost impossible. Almost. I’d seen Sascha shift to four-legged form. The sickening squelching, cracks, and pops. The movies depicted nice versions of these creatures shifting in a shimmering haze. They weren’t anywhere close to reality.
My entire body would break apart as it changed to anotherspecies. My chest tightened and I inhaled thinly, turning from Wade as the throbbing at the base of my incisors ramped up.
In the last two days, I’d found my gums and knuckles always hurt when my eyes started darkening. It was a good warning sign for me to regain control.
My phone pinged, and I checked the email. “Yes.”
“Porn?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not everything is porn.”
“Respectfully, I disagree.”
“The house deposit was paid into my account.”Huh,and the payment from the manor account to cover the outstanding debt balance.
Rhona must have done it. I wasn’t going to do that until settlement.
I slipped the phone away.
“You can’t tell me selling your house isn’t worthy of a few drinks tonight,” Wade said.
“My aunty-mum left me a nearly half-a-million-dollar debt. My ex-boyfriend tried to sabotage the sale by smashing windows. I just want the debt and house gone and to never think about it ever again. Until that happens completely, I can’t celebrate.”
Wade’s smile slid away.
“I just… don’t want to talk about any of this. I want to clean this cabin and be alone.”
“That’s fine for a while,” he said eventually. “After what you and Rhona have been through, it’s even expected. As long as you know that can’t last. You’re head steward, Andie.”
I whirled. “Do you think I’ve forgotten that?”
“I know Ragna fucked up, but you loved her.Loveher. Selling the house won’t… well, I don’t think that will make the pain better, baby girl.”
“I don’t need a reality check. I need people to understand the words coming out of my mouth. I want to be alone.”
After a beat, he nodded. “I can do that.”