Page 116 of Shattered By the Currents

“But better things are on the horizon, right?”

Maureen hesitated. “They will be.”

Raven’s smile faltered. What did that mean? That more bad stuff was coming before the good?

She glanced over at Connor in the corner. He stood with Ryan, and they spoke in hushed voices. Both men had their arms crossed and deep, angry creases between their brows.

Maureen leaned closer and said quietly, “I sense some love in that man’s future.”

Raven’s brows rose. “Connor’s? I certainly hope so.”

“No. Not Connor’s.” She patted Raven’s arms before moving away.

Ryan’s?

Raven glanced back to the men, or more specifically, Ryan. He’d always had that grumpy, mad-at-the-world thing about him. But since Connor had told her about Emily Prior, maybe he wasn’t just grumpy. Maybe he was a little heartbroken.

“Good turnout.”

She turned back to Briar. “Yeah, book club is always popular. I’m so glad they’ve recommenced.”

Briar touched her arm. “How have you been?”

“Good. No, actually that’s a lie. Stressed.”

“I can imagine. They still haven’t found?—”

“I wish.”

Briar nodded jerkily. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You already do it, by looking after my parents.”

“Oh, I love Gene and Craig, so that’s easy.”

When book club started, Raven moved to her office.

She’d just set her bag down when she glanced at her phone. It was weird…and stupid and ridiculous…but she’d had this urge the last few days to call Xander. In her mind, if he picked up, she could say all the things she hadn’t said yet. About him being a selfish asshole. About him not winning like he thought he had.

By him just running, she’d had no closure. This man, who she’d dated for most of her adult life, a man she’d thought she would marry, had framed her for heinous crimes she hadn’t committed. He’dkilledpeople.

And there was a very real possibility that he could just disappear and never pay for those crimes.

She swallowed and set down the phone. They’d find him.Thatwould be her closure.

Connor had been toodamn tense since the second they’d walked into the community center. There were too many entry points. Yes, Xander was probably across the country by now. It was where anyone with half a brain would be, but Xander was also likely angry. And that anger could have him going after Raven.

“You know, I can hear you thinking over there.”

He shifted his attention from the door to Raven as she looked up from her laptop. “Are you finished?”

“Do you know how many times you’ve asked me that?”

“Not enough, because we’re still here.”

His phone vibrated. It was his text thread with the guys.

Joel: So get this. As we’ve been busting our asses looking for Stevens, Ward had a two-hour lunch break at Bloom today with Gerome.