Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

55. Chapter 55

Chapter fifty-five

Raven

“ I t’s been three fucking days, Declan,” I seethe.

“I know, Raven. And like I said, he’s fine.”

He adjusts his cuff links as rage festers under my skin.

Three days ago, I woke up to an empty bed, which wasn’t a big deal. Locke had a job like a normal adult. What was not normal was him literally ghosting me. One second, he’s telling me that he loves me, then the next, he’s just…... gone. No calls no. Not texts. I’ve even sent the bastard an email. Radio silence.

“Raven, I have a very important meeting with the CEO of a respectable pharmaceutical company. Hendrix will be here in five minutes. Try not to burn the house down.”

“Declan!” I grind out.

With a squint of my eyes, I focus my energy on the door. I grit my teeth just as the deadbolt clicks into place.

He lifts an eyebrow. “Are we playing games?”

“Where is he?” I ask.

“Out of town.” He tries to twist the lock, but it doesn’t budge.

“Doubt you can open it.”

“Bet?” He grins.

With a spin, he jumps back, kicking the door clear off the hinges and steps over the fragments of wood.

“Seriously? Locke is going to have a coronary” I follow him, my irritation spiking.

Another squint.

Click.

All four doors lock on his car.

I’m getting pretty handy at this witch thing.

“God, you’re infuriating!” He laughs.

“I’ll burn those ugly ass pants you got on next.” I warn. “Where. Is. He?”

Defeat flashes across his face and remorse hits my chest. He’s loyal. To his best friend, and here I am demanding him to break that loyalty.

“He’s hurting, Dec. I can feel it.” I press my hand to my chest. “I just need to know if he’s giving up. On me. On us “

He heaves a deep sigh. “He’ll never give up. That’s why he’s gone. He needs answers.”

“For what?”

“The curse.”

Confused I shake my head. “But I thought it was over. He found me.”

“It’s deeper than that, Raven. It’s not that he wouldn’t find you.” Gone is his frustration. It’s only empathy. “He can’t complete the bond without marking you.”

“Ok.” I nod.

“If he marks you….” He runs his hand over his face. “It will kill you.”

Pain slashes across my chest. “What?”

“I know.” He steps around the car. “He’s trying. He won’t stop until he can beat it. Until then…”

“He’s afraid he’ll hurt me,” I lean my head back. “If I didn’t love him, I’d kill him.”

This man and his chivalry.

Declan chuckles. “I told you the truth. Now unlock my car.”

Rolling my eyes, I wave my hand, unlocking the doors.

“I see you’ve been practicing,” he muses.

I flip him off as he climbs in his car just as Hendrix arrives. Another day of getting followed around like an untrusted celebrity.

“I’ll be at Gemma’s for dinner, after that. You’re going to call him!” I call out. “I want to hear his voice, Declan!”

He waves, before peeling out of the drive.

As I walk back over the broken door, the afterthought hits me. What does Declan want with a pharmaceutical company?