Page 56 of Haven

At a stoplight, I grabbed my phone, texting Hades. I wouldn’t go there immediately, but I needed her at some point when I finally calmed down.

ME

I need you…My sister and I had a bad fight.

HADES

I’ll be waiting for you. Please be safe.

The road stretched out in front of me, a blur of dark asphalt and jagged, yellow lines. I couldn’t focus on any of it. I gripped the handlebars tighter until my knuckles were white. I couldn't breathe. The tears fell faster now, smearing my vision. I wiped them away quickly with the back of my hand.

A scream rose in my throat, raw and broken. I pushed the throttle harder, the engine screaming back in defiance, as if we’re both trying to drown the noise. Why did she have to do it? Why did she have to fucking say anything to me? Why did she have to be in control of my fucking life when I could take care of myself? Being with Vesper or Widow wouldn’t hurt me. It would protect me, empower me.

My Bluetooth rang in my helmet as I answered the incoming call from Widow. “What?” I snapped.

“Come back home, phoenix .”

I cringed at the nickname. “Don’t call me that. You don’t get to call me that anymore. I don’t want to be your phoenix if you can’t lov⁠—”

The curve surprised me. Too sharp, too sudden, and I barely had time to react. Normally I was good at shifting my body and preparing, but not today. I was too distracted. The bike tilted, my body instinctively fighting the pull, but it was too late. I heard the screech of the tires, the rush of air, my screams and Widow’s voice all around me. The world spun violently, and everything fell silent for a split second before the crash hit, metal against pavement, a flash of blinding light, and then…nothing.

Forty-Five

Unknown

My perfect princess was hurt, physically and emotionally, and it was up to me to save her. She was meant to be mine. Aurora was my perfect girl. She belonged to me, with me, even if she didn’t realize it. She would learn to love me as I loved her. Too many years had passed since I last saw her, so I wanted to cherish the time we had together before I set her free. It would only be for a little while. My plans weren’t completed yet, and I needed to avenge him before I could have her all to myself.

I watched her. It was a risk, but God was it perfect. I was here for a reason. She needed me, but she didn’t realize it. My perfect princess was upset, and I knew I should’ve stopped her, but this worked beautifully. She was mine now.

I took her somewhere safe. She was a perfect fit in my arms, and it solidified that we were meant to be together forever, just like he planned. He never should have hurt my princess, she would’ve been mine sooner if he hadn’t. He always ruined everything. He was the reason my princess was taken from me. But I found her, and I was not losing her again.

My perfect princess’s skin was velvet soft, a supple chest I wanted to mark. I removed her shirt first, taking off her bra next as I revered her. God was my savior, but she would be my salvation. My missing piece to a puzzle that took too damn long to complete. Her breast fit perfectly in my palm as I kneaded her soft flesh. I wanted her fully, still I would take a few moments of admiring her and touching her to soothe the desire in my chest. She would be mine anyway in just a few short months, once everything was perfect.

I would allow myself this moment with her, to paint her skin and make her mine. This was what I deserved after all my hard work. She was my pretty princess. She was my future, and we would live together in perfect harmony without anyone ruining it for me.

I pulled my phone from my pocket, capturing the moment we shared to keep it forever. “You’re perfect,” I whispered as I leaned down to capture her perfect lips. “I’ll be back soon.”

There were plenty of things I wanted to do with my perfect princess, but I had to get rid of the bitch that took her away from me first. With her gone, there would be no issues with having the life I was promised years ago.

Aurora was mine…forever.

Forty-Six

Cinder

UNKNOWN

Meet me at the pier ALONE if you want your sister to live

There was a picture attached of Rory, unconscious with a gash on her forehead and cum on her bare chest.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I never should have yelled at her and made her leave, now this asshole had her. Rory was my heart. She was the club's heart. I couldn’t let this piece of shit hurt her because of me. Aurora would not face this alone. Not this time. She had already spent three years alone at the hands of a monster. I would run through hell to protect her, and if it meant dying to get her out of danger, then so fucking be it.

The pier was empty when I arrived. Of course it was. No one came there after dark unless they wanted the Vipers uprooting their night. Now someone was here with Rory. I needed to save her, then I needed to let her live.

I promise to be a better sister, just let her be alive.