Page 61 of Shattered By the Currents

Her father cleared his throat. “He called.”

Her gaze shot up. “Who?”

“Xander.”

A chill slid over her skin. “What did he say?”

“That he wanted to check in on how you’re doing.”

Her mother touched her temple, like she had a headache. “When’s the wedding again, dear?” She turned to Raven’s dad. “We’ve written it in the calendar, haven’t we?”

Another pang to her chest.

Her father set his hand over hers. “We should get inside. I think we could both do with some rest.”

Her mother frowned. “You’re right. You always know what I need.”

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead before turning to Raven. “Are you?—”

“I’m good. Go.” She tried for a natural smile but wasn’t sure it quite came off.

Her dad rose and kissed her temple. Her mother gave her a hug. Then she watched as they walked inside.

She swallowed before lifting the three mugs from the small table and taking them to the communal kitchen, where she set them inside the dishwasher, then headed down the long hall that led to the lobby.

She was halfway there when an elderly man stepped out of a room, blocking her way.

He froze when he saw her, the color leaving his face. “Lila?”

She glanced behind her. No one else was there. The man was talking to her. “No. Sorry, I’m Raven.”

He frowned, inching closer. “Lila.”

“No, I?—”

“It’s me. It’s Dad!”

“You have me confused with someone else.”

She tried to sidestep around him, but he grabbed her arm. “You’re here. You’re actually here. I thought you were dead. I thought they killed you. Where did you go?”

She tried to pull out of his hold, but his grip tightened. He might be elderly, but he was strong. “Please, let me go.”

“Let you go? I only just found you. I can’t lose you again!” He leaned closer, his voice lowering. “It was that Lotus you told me about, wasn’t it?”

What the hell was Lotus? “My name is Raven.”

The shock shifted into something else. Something darker. Anger? “You’relying. Why are you lying to me? Is someone making you?”

“No, I?—”

“Come on.” He tugged her down the hall.

She attempted to yank her arm back, but Jesus, he was seriously strong. She could kick the back of his leg, but something inside her refused to kick an elderly person. “Where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere private.” He shot a glance over his shoulder, and a mix of relief, awe, and maybe even a bit of fear was in his eyes. He looked scared to lose her.

Her heart broke for him.