Page 26 of Shattered By the Currents

Raven stumbled back, her legs hitting the bed. “Xander.”

Fear ran over her body, slipping beneath her skin and racing through her blood.

He stepped into the room, taking up all the space. Once upon a time, his height and breadth had been a comfort. Now, every inch of him screamed danger.

He glanced at her arms, still dripping wet. She didn’t need to look down to know red still stained her skin. Then he looked at her bag on the bed.

His eyes were hard. Calculating. And completely unreadable. “Going somewhere?”

So much of her wanted to be brave. To stand tall. To be fierce. But she didn’t feel brave or tall or fierce. It felt like a loaded gun was pointed at her head. And maybe hedidhave a weapon. Tonight, she was realizing that anything was possible.

“Yes. I’m leaving.” Too small. Her voice was too small.

He ran a finger over the dresser as he stepped forward. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“I am.” Her voice hardened now, her shoulders a bit straighter. “Sampson’s?—”

“Dead. I know.”

He said it so easily, like her best friend’s body wasn’t the most earth-shattering thing she’d ever seen. “I’m going to the police. And you can’t stop me.”

With bravery she didn’t know she had, she left her bag on the bed and walked around him. He grabbed her arm and shoved her against the wall.

Pain exploded in her skull, making her cry out.

He stepped in close, crowding her, suffocating. “You didn’t hear me, Raven. You’re not going anywhere.” Then he threw her to the floor.

Raven cried out as she hit the floor, her temple colliding with something sharp and hard.

Ow!

She touched her forehead, and when she pulled her hand back, blood coated her fingers.

Great. Carefully, she pushed to her feet, a distinct shake in her knees. A tremble that almost had her sinking back down.

In the cabinet behind the desk, she found the first aid kit.

Goose bumps dotted her arms, the chill in her office making her fingers feel numb.

You’d think after a week of sleeping here, she’d be used to the morning cold. But there didn’t seem to be any getting used to this.

There was central heat in the center, of course. But turning it on ran the risk of raising the energy bill…andthatrisked people like Ferris asking questions. Questions she didn’t want to answer. Shecouldn’tanswer. Because if he found out she was sleeping in her office, there was every chance he’d kick her out and fire her, and then she’d be homelessandjobless.

A knock on the front door of the center had Raven dropping the bandage and spinning toward the closed office door.

No one was supposed to be here until ten a.m. bingo. It was barely eight.

Could it be Ferris? No, he never checked up on her. Not unless Lottie dragged him in. Could it be both of them? Did they know what she was doing?

Shit.

Quickly, she grabbed the pillow and blanket from the couch and shoved them beneath the desk.

Another knock sounded, louder this time.

Crap, crap, crap!

Her gaze shot to the bottom drawer of her desk, where she’d hidden her gun.