Carlos stepped out of the car first and held his hand out toward her. The house was falling down. She didn’t know how Carlos had gotten the information, but he’d been made aware that this house was due to be torn down. The site had been acquired by a development group, and they were in the process of tearing them all down.
No one had owned it since her stepfather.
She wasn’t surprised. The house held a whole heap of evil memories.
“This is it,” Raven said.
Carlos held her hand, their fingers locked into place. In the past four months, Carlos had been … attentive, possessive, sweet, charming, and also, his usual asshole self, which she had come to find she adored.
They were due to get married in a couple of weeks. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas had already gone, and they’d spent them together, their time divided between Fort Clover and his home.
He also wouldn’t be without her by his side.
She didn’t mesh well in his world. Gone was the façade of before, and the women weren’t exactly sure how to deal with her. She thought it was hilarious, as did Carlos, especially when he wanted to confuse the men.
Each day, Carlos would tell her how beautiful she was. Even when she was being sick. The morning sickness had long gone, thankfully. She didn’t know how much more she was going to be able to handle that. Carlos had been there, pulling her hair out of the way and rubbing her back.
Raven had forgiven him. He didn’t need to keep saying he was sorry, but he wouldn’t hear any of it.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Fine.”
Staring up at that house, she felt sick to her stomach.
“We’re going to be so happy, Leah. You and me.”
Her mother had been so wrong.
This was where she’d died.
Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to take a step forward.
“Your mother needs you.”
“You have to do everything he says.”
“You’ve got to be a good little girl.”
“Hello, baby girl. Do you want to sit on daddy’s knee?”
“I’ll give you the world.”
“Your mother is dead and it’s all your fault.”
Raven stepped into the house and pressed a hand to her chest, trying to take deep breaths. Flashes of memory rushed over her mind. Her mother looking so happy on their first Christmas. Carving pumpkins. Her collapsing. Looking so pale. Dying.
Him.
She hated him.
“I’ve got you, Raven. I’ve got you.”
Carlos wrapped his arms around her, but Raven breathed through the pain, trying to take control of her senses and rioting thoughts.
This place should have been a safe haven, a sanctuary. It had become her nightmare.
Turning her into the woman she was today.
There was no furniture. The house smelled of mold and death and everything she hated.
With a hand on her stomach, she let go of Carlos’s hand and turned away.
He followed after, calling her name.
There were already several dump trucks and demolishers around. She rushed toward one of the vehicles that looked like a digger. Climbing into the seat, she turned over the ignition. At first, she jolted, but whoever had driven this last had left instructions on how to work it. She followed the directions, charged toward the house, lifted the digger, and then slammed it down on the house. She continued to do this, and slowly, it fell apart. Years of decay and no one paying careful attention to the upkeep made it easy to tear down.
She screamed as she did so.
As she did, she saw him, that nasty smirk on his lips. The hands that creeped her out. The fact that he’d known from the start what he was doing. Her mother and she had been an easy target.
He’d never loved her mother and had only been interested in using her.
Sweat dripped across her brow, but Raven didn’t stop, not until she was able to roll over the pile of dirt.
Carlos stood back, and after she was done, she noticed a man who stood with Carlos. They shook hands, and Carlos handed over an envelope.
The house was gone. The ghost of the memories had gone along with it.
When the man had gone, Carlos moved toward her.
“How are you feeling?” Carlos asked.
“You arranged this?”
“Yes.”
“How did you know this is what I’d do?”
“I saw the house was empty. There was no means for you to attack it. I know you, Raven. You need something to destroy, and this is it. I will never let anyone hurt you. No one. Your past isn’t coming back anymore. What is more, you won’t allow anyone else to hurt you. You are worth saving. You deserve to live, to love, and to find happiness.”
“With you?” Raven asked.
“Always with me. No one else.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “I love you.”
“That’s not all I’ve got … planned.” Carlos held out his hand. “It’s time for us to take a little walk.”