Page 25 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)
Chapter Twenty-Five
JAMES
I hold Raven as close to my chest as I can get her without smothering her. Knowing that she’s safe, my body relaxes slightly, but the silent rage still simmers beneath the surface at the fact that someone would try and hurt her.
Driving through the streets to get to her, I was filled with dread. Had she been assaulted? Raped ? I can honestly say I’ve never been so scared as I was when I got the call.
That leads to its own question—why do I care so much? I’ve always cared about her as an uncle does for his niece, but when did that start changing to a man caring about his woman? She’s not even mine.
But you want her to be , a voice whispers in the back of my head. I shut it down immediately, concentrating my energy on the woman in my arms.
Raven draws away, rubbing at her face and wiping her nose on her T-shirt. Her face is red and puffy, and her green eyes brighter than I’ve ever seen them. I gently rub away her tears with my thumb before cupping her cheek in my hand. She leans into my touch, and my heart swells.
“Let’s get you out of here,” I say gently, pushing up off the floor, Raven still in my arms. No way am I letting her go yet.
“The police are on their way,” a voice, whom I’m assuming to be Simon, says.
I turn around and glance at him before putting my hand out. “Thank you. I don’t know how I can ever repay you, but if there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
Taking my hand in his, he gives a firm shake before saying, “No thanks necessary, I’m just glad I was in the right place at the right time.”
Nodding my head, I hug Raven closer and begin walking to my car. “We don’t need the police,” I call over my shoulder. “I’ll deal with it from here.”
Simon goes to protest, but I ignore him. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll get to the bottom of it without involving the cops.
I haven’t had the best of luck with them in the past. Not only was I overlooked as a kid with multiple broken bones and bruises, but they were so deep in my father’s pocket, I wouldn’t trust them not to be corrupt fuckers who wouldn’t give a shit.
Nah, I’ll do this how I’ve always done everything—by myself.
Guiding Raven into the passenger seat, I gently close the door and walk around to the driver’s side.
She’s gazing out of the window, tears tracking down her pale face as I settle in and start the engine.
The radio plays quietly in the background, but neither of us speaks.
I want to reach out and comfort her, but I don’t want to cause her any more distress.
After the argument we had and then this, she must be ready to run for the hills, and I wouldn’t blame her.
We arrive at my house in less than fifteen minutes, the electric gates opening automatically as I drive up.
I park in the garage and usher Raven inside, sitting her on the sofa before pouring us both a glass of whiskey.
I hand the glass to her, and she silently takes it from me, staring off into the distance.
I stand watching her, waiting. When she doesn’t make a move, I gently say, “Drink, pretty girl.”
Raven does as I ask and takes a sip before downing it in one. I would usually raise an eyebrow at her throwing back a hundred-year-old glass of Glenfiddich, but I think tonight’s called for it.
Walking back to the bar, I pour another, smaller glass and hand it to her. This time, thankfully, she just holds it in her hands, looking down at it.
Not wanting to crowd her, I sit opposite her, my own glass of whiskey in my hand as I ask, “What happened, Raven. I’m going out of my mind here.”
“M-me to-too.” She peers up at me from beneath her lashes, her green eyes filled with tears as her breath quickens. “I-I—” She stops, the sobs coming harder as she tries to force the words out. I rush over to her, pulling her into my chest. “H-he—Did?—”
“Ssh, pretty girl. It’s okay. Take a moment. Breathe. Can you do that for me?”
She jerks her head, but I don’t know if she understood me. Releasing her, I get on my knees and gently grip her face. “Breathe, baby, breathe.” Raven looks up at me as she tries to catch her breath. “In through your nose, out through your mouth.”
Taking a shaky breath in, she breathes out slowly, following my direction. She does this a few more times, her breathing becoming slower and less shaky with each exhale. “Good, pretty girl. You’re doing so well,” I praise, pushing the hair off her face. “That’s it.”
She looks at me with scared eyes, and I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. She should never have had to go through what she did.
I should’ve been there to protect her.
“I-I h-honestly ha-have n-no clue w-what h-happened,” she hiccups. I move the hands that were on her face down to her thighs, rubbing soft circles against her skin. “I feel l-like I hit my h-head and all of it w-was a d-dream, like I m-made it up or s-something.”
“It wasn’t a dream, pretty girl, but you're safe here.”
“I’m safe. There’s no threat,” she mumbles under her breath.
I don’t know what it means, but it seems to be bringing her some sort of comfort, so the tension in her shoulders eases somewhat.
“You’re safe, there’s no threat,” I reiterate.
Pushing herself back onto the sofa, she pulls her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them and leaning her chin on her knee, drink still in hand. Raven goes quiet again, and I give her the space she needs to work through this.
I stay in my position on the floor, my thighs cramping and my knees hurting, but I refuse to move. I won't let her deal with this alone.
Finally, she looks at me. “Did someone really threaten my life? Hold a knife to my neck and—” She pauses, her voice breaking as she continues. “And say ‘Daddy dearest has been a bad boy and now you get to pay for his sins?’”
My tone is low and dark as I growl, “The fuck did you just say?” Noticing Raven’s eyes filling with tears again, I take a deep breath and calm my anger.
Softening my tone, I say, “You’re gonna need to start from the top, pretty girl, because it sounds an awful lot like you’re telling me someone tried to fucking kill you. ”
My jaw clenches as every muscle in my body tightens. What the fuck is going on? And what does Drew have to do with this?
“I was taking the trash out to the dumpster and someone jumped me,” she says slowly. “He had a knife to my throat?— ”
I lunge for her, grabbing her chin in my hand as I inspect her neck. Sure enough, there’s a nick and dried blood where the knife had gotten her. My blood boils at the sight, and I vow right there and then I’ll kill the motherfucker who did this to her.
Raven looks at me and swallows. “I’m scared, James. What did he mean by my dad being a bad boy? What has he done?”
Tears stream down her face as I let her chin go and wrap her in my arms, whispering, “I don’t know, pretty girl. But I sure as shit plan on finding out.”
Raven fell asleep about an hour ago. I didn’t have the heart to move her, but I’ve got calls to make. Standing up with her in my arms, I walk to my bedroom and place her down on the bed, gently moving a stray hair out of her face. She doesn’t wake up, just snuggles her face into the pillow.
Retreating to the hallway, I close the door behind me before pulling my phone out of my pocket. Finding the contact I’m after, I hit call.
“Hello,” a voice greets me after the second ring.
“Wanna tell me how and why someone tried to fucking kill Raven tonight?” I growl, keeping my voice low as I walk down the stairs.
“James? Wh-what do you mean? Is Raven alright?” the jackass asks. I can hear a chair creaking in the background as I try to rein in my temper.
“No, she’s not alright, dickhead,” I reply as I head to my office, closing the door behind me. “Someone had a fucking knife to her throat. What the hell have you done?” I shout .
“I’ll handle it,” he snaps defensively.
“Like fuck you will, asshole. Stay the fuck away from her.”
“That’s my daughter?—”
“I don’t give a shit,” I roar, hands clenched around the phone.
“—You don’t get to tell me how to protect her.”
“Really?” I scoff. “Tell that to the girl you already failed to protect.” With that, I disconnect the call and throw my phone at the wall.