Page 49 of Don’t Break My Heart (Secrets of Ravens Hollow #3)

I pull up out the front of Reef’s house hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

I know Romeo said they are all staying at the safe house at the docks, but every day when I drive past, he has been here with his gran.

Onyx left the same time as me and I’m sure is sitting behind me in his car.

Even though I know he’s following me around now, he hasn’t overstepped the mark and demanded he drive me.

I have been allowed a small snippet of my freedom, even if he did make fun of me for scratching up the side door.

I watch as Reef walks into the living room, he kisses the old woman on the forehead as he hands her a cup of something hot.

She smiles up at him, and he takes the seat opposite her.

I want to try and fix things like Romeo suggested, but I have no clue where to start.

I wasn’t expecting him to just block me out.

That’s normally my way of dealing with them.

But getting the cold shoulder from Reef has sort of shaken me. I don’t know what to do.

Another car pulls up, a little red one that moves right into the driveway and parks.

A young woman gets out; she’s in jeans and a T-shirt and has a grocery bag with her.

As she walks up to the house, her ponytail swings from side to side, like she’s happy.

I know the type all bubbly and giggly and shit.

I sit up a little taller. Who the fuck is she ?

She walks to the front door and knocks, grinning from ear to ear as she waits.

Reef moves through the house, opening the door for her, matching her happiness.

She chats away to him, the two of them looking like they know each other well.

It’s when she places a hand on his arm that I start moving without being able to control my limbs.

My hand grips the door handle, opening it without another thought.

Who the fuck does this chick think she is, touching my man.

I get out of the car in a rush then slam the door.

I see my reflection in the car door and wince.

I look crazy as fuck. What the hell is wrong with me?

Instead of storming over to him like I was about to, I take a breath and turn around, leaning into the door.

Keep your cool, Sloane, and for God’s sake try and act less psycho.

My eyes rise, meeting his gaze, and I notice a slight squint as his eyes narrow in on me.

Fuck. He says something to the woman, and she moves into the house with her bag of groceries.

Then he’s striding toward me. My heart kicks up a beat, and I don’t know what to do with my hands. Or any other part of my body for that matter. Oh God, what is wrong with me?

He stops just a few feet from me. “Your stalking escalating?”

I purse my lips. “Who’s the girl?”

His lips twitch at the side, unable to hide his smile. “Are you jealous, Sloane?”

I cross my arms over my chest protectively. “No,” I huff. “What is there to be jealous over? She looks about as much fun as a cold, rainy day.”

His eyes dance with amusement. “She’s my gran’s carer, no one for you to worry about.”

“Oh.” My shoulders relax. I didn’t even realize I was tensing every fucking muscle in my body.

I feel my cheeks glow with embarrassment.

I didn’t think I was the possessive type, but seeing him talk to another girl really had me on edge.

I stare at him, not sure what to say next, and he watches me back looking just as lost for words.

He places his hands in his pockets casually.

My eyes roam all the way down his body. Man, he looks hot today in a pair of blue jeans and a T-shirt, his sandy-blond hair hanging longer over to one side in that way that makes me want to run my fingers through it.

“I had a call yesterday from Commissioner Sedgwick. I have a feeling you had something to do with it.”

I bite into my lip, nervously chewing the dried skin. “Why would you think that?”

“Just a hunch.” He shrugs, his eyes lighting up. “She offered me my job back, said no further investigation will be pursued. I would have thought it was out of her hands, but maybe not when you know the right kind of people.”

I tilt my head, watching him, wondering if I did the right thing or not. He doesn’t look as happy about it as I thought he would. “Are you going to take it?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“You should. From what I saw, you are a good detective, and this town needs someone with your passion and dedication to the job.”

He takes a step closer to me, his eyes running down the length of me then back up to my face in a way that sends butterflies all the way through my body. “Is that right?”

“You’re a good person, Reef, your life should never have been turned upside down for me.”

In one quick move his hands are on me, and I’m pinned to my car, one of his hands tangled in my hair, the other at my waist. He sucks in a harsh breath like he’s trying to control himself.

Then his eyes meet mine and I see the hurt and pain I caused him, but there is something else there as well.

Desire? Love? I don’t fucking know, but with his hold on me, it makes my body light up all over.

“I would have gone to the end of the earth for you, wildcat. Given it all up, because a job is nothing compared to you.”

I suck in a shaky breath, trying to get my racing heart under control. “I never wanted you to give anything up for me.”

“It doesn’t matter, I would do it again in a heartbeat just to make sure you’re safe.” His lips hover just in front of mine, and man, do I want him to just put me out of my misery and kiss me, but he doesn’t.

“Thank you,” I whisper, knowing there are never going to be any words that can tell him how much I appreciate what he has given up for me.

He moves to pull away, but I don’t give him the chance and crash my lips with his, kissing him because I can’t go another day without this man’s lips on mine.

I don’t know how to fix things between us, all I know is how I feel about him and that I can’t be without him anymore.

He deepens the kiss, his hand in my hair tugging me even closer to him. Gripping me firmly, plunging his tongue inside my mouth possessively. And fuck, it’s everything I need.

When we eventually pull back, I’m panting and breathless, staring up at him in a daze.

I run a hand down the side of his freshly shaven jaw.

“I hate that you think I was being selfish, but maybe you’re right.

I wasn’t thinking about any of you and the sacrifices you had made for me.

Sometimes I get focused on what I want and I forget how my actions affect the people around me. I’m sorry.”

“What you wanted to do was noble, Sloane, but if we’d let you stay in Italy you wouldn’t have had the chance to make the change you wanted to.

We had no power there and were out of options to keep you safe.

I know the way we got you out of there was fucked up, but even you have to see how stubborn you are. We did it for you.”

“I know, I can see that now. But Reef, next time you come to me, let me have my meltdown and then force me to see reason. I might be stubborn, but I’m not stupid, and when you all keep me in the dark, you make it more dangerous. I need you all to treat me like your equal.”

“I’m sorry, Sloane, everything in Italy got out of hand so quickly. It was like every day was worse than the last. I have never felt so out of control in my life, and I know Onyx felt the same.”

“And Orlando gave you all a way out and you took it? I get it, I guess.”

“Sloane, it was my plan, not Orlando’s. I found a loophole in the contract.

If you and Orlando weren’t married anymore, you would automatically forfeit your right to the inheritance.

He wasn’t sure, but we all knew it was the only way Valentine would leave you alone.

We had to make sure you had nothing he wanted. ”

I knew he was getting desperate to come home, I could see it in his eyes. He was skittish, but I never could have imagined he was the one behind their betrayal. “So, you let him drug me and tie me to that chair?”

His eyes lock with mine, a seriousness flashing in them. “No, that part was all Orlando. How fucking crazy do you think I am?”

“Thought so.” I stare back at him. I know I should be pissed all over again, knowing this was his brilliant idea. But I’m not. It was a smart idea. They just went the wrong way about it. “Your plan didn’t work, that fucker Valentine is still sending men to kill me. Didn’t Onyx tell you?”

“We took care of that guy,” he mutters, his eyes dropping away from mine like he can’t stand to look at me when he thinks of what he did .

I take a step back from him, feeling guilty all over again. What the hell, have we turned Reef into a cold-hearted killer like Onyx? “We? As in you and Onyx together. Of course you did.”

“Sloane, this isn’t over, and I’m glad you have Onyx watching over you again. You need to be careful. At least until Valentine is dealt with.”

“I’m being careful.” I tap the gun at my side and grin back at him.

He takes my hand in his. “Do you have time to come inside? I have someone I want you to meet,” he says, surprising the shit out of me.

“Really?”

“I would have done it sooner, if you weren’t off sulking.” He grins playfully, and just like that, we’re back to normal. Thank God.

“I wasn’t sulking, you were,” I snip back with a stupid smile on my face, because Reef wants me to meet his gran.

Romeo wasn’t wrong when he said the bar is the busiest it’s ever been. Every table is full tonight, and we have three extra staff on just to cover it. I have been working behind the bar helping out Myriah while Sally had some dinner. It’s been nice to find my feet again.

I finish pouring a drink and turn around to find Reef sitting at the bar behind me, the cheekiest grin on his face. “What can I get for you, honey?” I ask him, returning his grin as my eyes run over him. He looks gorgeous tonight in his crisp white shirt, his eyes dancing with mischief.

“A Bud Light, thanks.” His grin widens all the way to his dimples. It does something to my insides, like turns me into a puddle on the floor in front of him. Sexy motherfucker .

“Coming right up,” I say, all flirty, remembering the first night I met him. Just like this.

I crack open the frosty beer and slide it smoothly across the bar top to him, watching as he takes the first swig. His eyes don’t leave mine for a second, and I get the same feeling I did that first night. Like I have known this man before, like he’s someone important and I have to know more.

“Are you new in town? I haven’t seen you in my bar before,” I ask, just like I did that night.

“You’re looking at the new head detective of Ravens Hollow PD. And I have been told to personally keep an eye on you. I heard you’re trouble.”

I can’t hide my smirk. He got his job back, thank fuck. Part of me thought I might have done the wrong thing going behind his back and trying to get it back for him. “Good for you. I will do my best to behave.” I bite into my bottom lip, trying to be all seductive and cute.

He bursts out laughing, and it’s the best sound I have ever heard. This is my playful Reef, the man I fell for. “Come back to my place, we need to celebrate.” He collects my hand and kisses the back of my fingers like Romeo would.

“That escalated quickly.” I smirk, raising a curious brow.

His tongue darts out and licks over his bottom lip as if he’s tasting me. It sends a direct pool of moisture to my panties. “I see something I like, so what’s the point in beating around the bush.”

I can’t help but laugh now. What the fuck are we doing here? “That depends, can I bring my bodyguard?” I ask, glancing Onyx’s way. He’s just out of ear shot, and I’m sure he’s wondering what on earth the two of us are doing as well. But this is fun, so I wave to him and offer a smile.

His brow furrows, but he waves back .

“Sure, if you’re okay with my big bad mafia boyfriend being there as well?”

“Sounds kinky.” I laugh again, covering my mouth because this is just getting embarrassing, but I’m having so much fun I can’t stop.

“Oh, it will be.” He wiggles his brows as he throws back the rest of his drink. “Can you leave now? Romeo has made us dinner, and he said I wasn’t to come home without you.”

Myriah comes past with a tray ready to be refilled with drinks. “You two need to get a room, I can feel the sexual chemistry from across the floor.”

She’s not wrong, my body is lit up and ready to jump Reef right here in the club. “Are you okay if I take off? Sally is still around if you need help.”

“Go. I got this, girl.” She smirks back at me and leans in closer. “You lucky bitch.”

I laugh at her then move back around the bar. Reef wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Just got to tell the big guy,” I tell him.