Page 35 of Shattered By the Currents

They were just walking around the corner of the building when he clocked the car. It was about a hundred feet down the road, parked beneath a large oak tree…and Connor could just make out the shadow of a person behind the wheel.

Instinctively, he inched closer to Raven. Was the person behind the wheel watching her? Or him? Were they waiting for him to leave?

She tossed her bag into the dumpster, and he did the same. As they walked back, he set a hand on the small of her back, mostly to keep her close and safe. Thankfully, she didn’t move away.

They’d just stepped back inside when he blurted, “I don’t want you staying here tonight.”

She turned, eyes widening. “I’m not?—”

“Don’t.” He inched closer. “Don’t lie. Please. It’s not safe. This building is old and easy to break into.”

She swallowed, looking away. “I’d like you to leave.”

“Raven—”

“Now.” She marched to the front door and held it open. “Thank you for helping me, but I can do the rest alone.”

Fuck. He wanted to throw the stubborn woman over his shoulder and take her home. Keep her safe in his house.

But he couldn’t do that. And she clearly wasn’t going to listen to him. Not tonight.

Air hissed between his teeth. “Fine. Stay. But sooner or later, you’re going to trust me.”

Her chest rose on a sharp inhale, and he forced himself to turn. To walk away.

When he reached his car, he started his engine but didn’t go home. He took his Glock from the middle console, then turned the car around…and drove straight toward the Ford under the oak tree.

Connor’s brights were on, and when he got close, he slowed.

Dark hair. Wide shoulders. But shadows played over his face, making it impossible to see his features.

The Ford’s lights suddenly flicked on and the driver took off.

Hewaswatching. Either Raven or the center or Connor. Why else would he leave?

For a second, he thought about following. He wanted to know who was behind the wheel. But there was no scenario in which he was leaving Raven in that building alone.

Instead, he parked back in front of the community center and pulled out his phone to call Ethan.

His friend answered immediately. “Hey, Connor, we just got home. Everything okay?”

“I’ve got plate numbers and a car make and model. You think you can tell me who owns it?”

“It might take me a day, but yeah, give it to me.”

He relayed the information. When the call ended, he leaned back in the seat. He’d get one of the guys to take over for him later. For now, he wasn’t taking his eyes off the center.

Raven had secrets. He didn’t need her to admit it to know they were dangerous.

9

“I’ll do it, Mom.” Raven attempted to take the pound cake.

Her mother shook her head and sidestepped her. “No, honey, I’ve got it.”

“You know there’s nothing wrong with accepting help every so often.”

“I do know that.” Her mother set the cake on the kitchen counter. “Exactly why I live here.”