Page 31 of White Raven (Nevermore Duet #2)

Athan tapped his chest with a finger and took a step forward.

“I know I come off as the shy, quiet type, but that all goes out the fucking window when somebody threatens to take, or harm something that belongs to me .” He took both sides of Sarah’s face, feeling that near-instant calm as soon as he touched her.

He lowered his face to hers, and whatever anger had started boiling in her seemed like it was also vanishing.

Now it was just fire—and not the kind he wanted an audience for.

“You. Are. Mine .” Every inch of his skin blazed, and the hairs on his neck stood on end as he slanted his mouth over hers and barely brushed his lips over it.

“You’re not obligated to do anything for anybody, Sarah.

How do you heal, if you’re still giving everything you have to everyone else? ”

Her voice was strained, and raspy…breathy and soft against his mouth. “Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do for others? Foster talked about balance. I killed someone. What kind of balance is it if I don’t give back life?”

Rhaena’s groan of agreement was the only reminder she was even still there as he trailed the pad of his thumb across Sarah’s lower lip. “And you still think you’re a monster,” he whispered.

“For what it’s worth…he never actually said he’d come after you. He was upset. But I put you in that position, Sarah. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Rhae. You’ve helped us more than anyone.”

Athan dared a kiss to that mouth, pulling every single ounce of his self-restraint when he let her go, and turned away, heading for the small closet next to the bathroom door. Rhaena leaned herself against the chipped countertop.

“I brought the note back for you to hold onto. I figured you wouldn’t want the dead bird. It’s being stored just in case there’s any reason to go back to it. But if that note could be any help at all when you get to Seattle, then take it with you. If Foley acts on his shit, I’ll warn you.”

“Thank you,” Sarah smiled, glancing at Athan as he pulled a black t-shirt over his head. Rhaena looked his way when he started shoving his arms into his leather jacket. “Where are you going?”

“You’re going with me. Get some warmer clothes on. I’m making it a point to take you on the second half of our date tonight. We’re not leaving Boston until I do.”

“Do you have any idea where he’s trying to take me?” she asked Rhaena, who immediately shrugged and shook her head.

“You’re asking the wrong person. As long as I’ve known this fucker, you’re the only person he’s ever taken on dates.” She smiled, nodding once in his direction, and then pulled Sarah in for a quick hug before heading for the door.

“Rhaena,” Athan called just as she opened it.

“Don’t apologize, Kane. I would’ve done the same. I’m expecting somebody to record you on that plane if I don’t get to see you before then. Check in and have a safe trip, okay?”

It was a strange place they were in now.

It would be an entire lie to say he didn’t love Rhaena Northwood.

And he’d never told her that. It felt really fucking weird for now to be the first time she heard it.

Dead air hung between them across the apartment, and an understanding look flashed across her fierce eyes, a flattered curve on her mouth.

Rhaena’s cheeks flushed, and she nodded as she lowered her face and closed the door.

His partner.

His best friend.

They were gonna see each other again.

She clunked down the stairs in those god-forsaken heels and Sarah gave him a look that said if he didn’t go after her, he’d be in the doghouse. It took all his manly pride, but he did exactly that, catching her just before she stepped off the curb.

“Rhaena!” he called, stopping about a foot away as she turned around.

Her eyes looked glassy, and that collected, firm detective demeanor shattered when he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her in tight.

Her hands grasped the back of his shoulders, and she squeezed back, resting a cheek against the zippers on his jacket. “I’m sorry I’m such an asshole.”

All she could manage was a snotty chuckle, and he smiled against the top of her head. “It’s one of the many things I love about you, partner.”

“See you when we get back.”

“I want all the hairy details. You know I get pissy when my leads run dry,” Rhaena smiled tearfully, wiping her nose when they pulled apart. “Take care of our girl.”

“10-4.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets and watched her climb into her truck, sliding on those round yellow sunglasses and wiping beneath her eyes. Some part of him felt emptier with every inch she drove away. He knew deep down that this wasn’t goodbye…

But why did it feel like it?

It shouldn’t have come as such a shock; how easy it was to cover up any remaining stains from what she’d been through with some concealer and a little bit of effort.

Whatever bruises remained on the inside …

well…those might not ever be covered, but at least it felt a little like they were healing too.

Wren couldn’t help but smile a little at herself as she dragged the deep burgundy lipstick across her bottom lip and blotted her pout.

Amazing what a little makeup could do to lift your mood.

They say that when you look good, you feel good.

She couldn’t exactly say she felt great, but at least a little better.

The zip up the side of her knee-high laced up boot brought another smile, as did the clinking of the decorative buckle against the pointed studs when she walked to the door. Denver leaned over the edge of the kitchen counter, his fuzzy paws clinging on for dear life as he watched her in earnest.

“You can’t go, fatty,” Wren smirked, digging out her keys.

“Stay outta the snacks. I’ll beat you with a fish.

” It didn’t deter him. She rushed out before he could hop down and locked up behind her.

The elevator dinged as she turned toward it, and Rhaena stepped out, looking every bit distressed. She’d been crying.

“You heading out?” she asked, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

“Yeah, Athan asked me to meet them at some antique store. What’s wrong? You look upset.”

“I’m good, I just don’t like goodbyes.” Rhaena shrugged, and Wren wasn’t sure what to say. The emotional side of Rhaena Northwood was uncharted territory.

“You know they’ll be back, right? Sarah won’t stay long in Seattle. There’s too much left behind there. That’s part of her past that she’ll never snuggle up to again.”

“No, I get that. And I know—you know what? I have no idea why I’m telling you all this shit. Just ignore me. I’m about to start my period.”

Wren snorted and dropped her keys into her bag.

“Don’t tell Detective Darkside. He’ll cringe.

” That got a laugh out of her, but her face immediately crumpled, and she threw her fingers over her mouth trying to hide her obvious emotions.

“Dude,” Wren soothed, reaching up to her shoulder.

“What’s got you so weepy? I’m not good with this kinda shit. ”

“Look, Wren…I’m happy, okay?” Rhaena sniffled. “I love Brandon. You know that. The shit between me and Kane…it was never like…you know.”

“It was sex. I get it.”

She nodded, leaning against the wall by Wren’s door.

“It was, but…he’s important to me. He’s my partner, and for the longest time we were all each other had.

I’m so happy for him, Wren. I’m happy for Sarah too.

But like…I don’t know why I feel this huge…

gap?” She wiped her eyes and sniffed hard.

Wren settled herself against the wall beside her.

“He found his person. I found mine. But then everything just happened so fast. He moved out. He put a ring on her finger—which I never ever considered. He took all this time off, and now he’s about to fly across the country to track down some freak we know nothing about.

I know he loves her more than anything, and I’m happy that he does, Wren.

It’s all I could ever want for him, but…

that love changed him in so many ways, and I feel selfish for even saying this, because who the fuck am I?

But…I miss him. I miss him just being around.

I feel like this trip is a milestone, and one day he’ll go. ”

She understood it. And even though Sarah was her best friend, it didn’t seem selfish at all.

It was a human reaction, and one that anybody would be right to feel after so much changed so quickly.

“I get what you’re saying. And you know who you are to him.

Athan loves you, even if he’d never actually say it.

It took him a lot to even say those words to Sarah and he’s fucking rabid when it comes to her. ”

“I know he does. He ran out when I left and hugged me. He doesn’t do that.

I guess I just really hate change. I’ve got abandonment issues, and maybe it’s because Foley is pressing this whole ‘let's find all the wolves’ thing, but…it’s hitting me like a truck right now.

” It seemed like every once in a while, God would throw her a rope when she was in awkward situations, because in the split second it took for Wren to come up with something to say, Rhaena’s eyes lit up like her detective brain had just figured something out.

“Hit like a truck…” she whispered under her breath, slowly trailing her eyes to the wall adjacent to them.

“What’s up?”

“I—I’m sorry, I just thought about something. Can we catch up later?”

“Yeah, is everything okay?” Wren asked warily, while Rhaena stepped past her and started unlocking her door.

“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks…you know, for listening to me bitch for a minute.”

“You got it, babe. Athan might have moved out, but you’ve got the best neighbor in Boston, now.” She winked, and Rhaena smiled. Wren tossed two fingers from her forehead and turned to walk towards the elevator.