Page 30 of His Retribution

Pain like I've yet to experience lances through my brain and I sway on my feet. I force myself to stay upright though, keep myself grounded, and the second that pain subsides a swarm of butterflies take flight in my belly.

Such an unusual name.

But I like it.

And his touch is like raw electricity, like magic against my skin.

I like that a lot too.

"Havok." I nod, the name so right, so perfect on my tongue, and when I look up into his glowing eyes I see so much warmth it's almost blinding.

He wipes his thumb on his shirt, the tattered material now smudged with grease that was obviously on my head. My face heats, hives break out all over, but I still can't seem to look away.

We stare at each other for a few beats before he nods again then starts to leave, my heart aching at the thought.

I want him to stay.

How can I get him to stay?

Oh please, please stay.

Havok takes a few steps as Samson comes trotting from between the trees. He sees us and starts running, practically flying to us and as soon as he's close he jumps up on Havok, tail wagging so hard his whole body is shaking.

"Samson!" I scold. "No jump! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I don't know what's gotten into him. Samson!"

Then my goofy dog darts over to me, jumps, licks my face, then rushes back to Havok and does the same, even goes as far as to rest his huge paws on the enormous man's shoulders.

"Samson!"

"It's ok." Havok chuckles as he rubs my dog's sides. "We're old friends, he and I." Almost as if he thinks better of it, he corrects. "Your boy found me in the woods earlier but we were not properly introduced."

Then he does something that leaves me speechless.

Havok raises his hands and motions for Samson to sit—the same exact way I do—and my dog, who normally doesn't like anyone, especially men, plants his butt on the ground with a smile on his face.

"That's a good boy." Havok strokes his fur and smiles softly. "Take care of your mama, now. Be a good boy for her."

My heart flips in my chest, this situation so eerily familiar, so oddly normal.

Havok gives Samson one last pat on the head, glances over his shoulder at me with a nod, then starts to leave again.

No.

Please.

Please, don't go.

"Do you know anything about cars?" I quickly blurt. My fingers itch to reach for him, to keep him here. "I mean, I know quite a bit but… but I won't be able to do everything on my own and..."

Havok stops and turns a little, then nods.

"If… if you aren't busy I could use a little help. I mean, well, you've already helped me enough so I understand if you don't want to but I'm probably going to need to check the alternator, maybe the starter, and who knows what else and if you aren't busy..." Oh my gosh, I can't stop talking. I'm definitely grasping at straws to keep him here. For all I know he's a reclusive mountain man who was looking for his next unsuspecting victim and is going back to his cabin to get something to kill me with.

Which is absurd.

I don't know how, but I know for a fact that this man won't hurt me, would never even think about it, and quite honestly, he makes me feel safer than I have in a long time.

Havok looks to the sky, sunlight already starting to creep into the night. "I cannot."