And lost my mind.
I grabbed a lamp and launched it across the room. It crashed against the wall and then I blindly reached for a box of junk beside the bed and threw that too. Tiny guitar picks and CDs went flying like shrapnel. After that, I threw everything on that skanky bed onto the floor. My arms were flailing in violent motions as I pulled open a drawer and tossed out all the stuff inside—including a box of condoms and pack of cheap cigarettes. Then I tried pulling out the drawer.
Trevor’s arms wrapped around me from behind. I struggled, screamed, kicked, and made feral sounds like an animal caught in a trap.
“Shhhh. It’s okay. I got you. I love you, babe, and no one is coming after you. We’re going to work it out because we’re family. I’m not going anywhere, do you understand? I’m a jackass for running off and leaving you like that.”
My fingernails dug into his arms and I kicked, but the energy deflated like air from a balloon. I slumped in his arms. “Oh, Trevor. I’m so sorry he did that to you,” I said, heavy with guilt. “Please don’t hate me. I had no idea he would come after you and I wanted to die when I saw you lying there with no life in your eyes.”
“It’s not your damn fault. You got that?” Trevor spun me around and lifted me up in his arms—my feet dangling off the ground. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would sweep a woman off her feet.
I rested my head on his shoulder, tears wetting his neck. “I’m so sorry.”
“Babe, if you say that one more time, I’m throwing you out the window into the dumpster below. People make mistakes in life and sometimes shit happens. Share some of that burden with me, April. You can’t control everything, but I admire the hell out of you for trying. Now stop wiping your snot all over me and let’s go home.”
***
Trevor was back for good and I had someone to lean on. Explaining my refurnished trailer didn’t go over well, and he especially didn’t like Reno’s involvement.
“We’re taking all this shit back,” he declared.
It saddened me, but he was right. Keeping Reno’s money would be selfish and insensitive. I could only imagine what it looked like to him—secretly stealing from his family and then relaxing on my brand-new bedspread like a princess, all while he filled my house with expensive things and fixed my leaks. I felt sickened by the whole thing, and worst of all, I’d lost him.
Trevor neatly folded up every last item and placed them in the living room. “You don’t want a guy like that thinking you owe him something,” he said, preparing to take a shower.
He grabbed his guitar from the sofa and propped it against the kitchen counter where some of his model airplanes were sitting. Trevor had brought over most of his belongings and used a few available cabinets and corners as storage. I smiled when I heard him in the bathroom cussing, maneuvering around as he tried to figure out the shower.
I was draping a thick blanket over the sofa when a light knock sounded at the door. Trevor enjoyed long showers with the music on, so he didn’t hear it.
I lifted the corner of the curtain and peered outside. Maddox stood away from the door, holding his hat in his hand and scratching his beard.
I opened the door just a crack.
“Got a minute?” he asked in a gentle voice.
Maddox took several steps back and looked off toward the road as I went outside and stood in front of the door.
“Have you had time to figure things out on how you’re going to pay?” he asked.
Without a word, I shook my head.
He wiped his hand over his mouth and stroked his facial hair. “You know about Shifters, and no sense in denying it because I know it to be a fact,” he said, slanting his eyes inside the trailer. “Your grandma didn’t know what I was because I deal with everyone, including humans. I’m not exclusive like some morons are. Money is money. But it’s not always about the money,” he said, his voice softening. “We’re partial to favor-trading.”
I crossed my arms while Maddox scanned the property.
“Your grandma was always good about her payments, even if it took her a while. She started doing business with me exclusively in the end, although I knew she was having trouble with a few other sharks who were trying to take a bite. Are they bothering you?”
I bit my lip and he scrunched his mouth as if he’d gotten the answer he wanted.
“I can offer you protection.”
“For how much?” I said with disgust.
“I’ll clear you of every last penny you owe with me and anyone else. Free and clear—I’m good on my word. I can offer you the safety of going to bed at night with both eyes closed.”
My shoulders felt lighter. “How?”
His brow quirked and he smiled bashfully. “Well, being my pet.”