Chapter Three
Haven
I’m feeling the effects of too much coffee, hours sitting on my ass, and about a million bags of chips.
My bladder is screaming, and my legs are cramping.
I park quickly, grab my purse and my bag from the backseat, before speed walking into the apartment building.
My excitement hasn’t dimmed, despite the revelations Rylee filled me in on during most of the first day on the road.
Once I settled into the hotel room, I lay awake, my mind humming, and I arrived earlier than expected because of it. It’s too bizarre not to be true.
I hustle to the elevator, thankful I don’t have to lug my bag and my full bladder up the stairs.
Rocking back and forth, I wait impatiently as the floors pass.
Rylee is on the fifth floor, and as much as I want to meet face to face after so many years, I'll be happier to visit her bathroom. It’s not like we haven’t talked on the phone, and many times on FaceTime.
It'll be the first time I see her and know her true self. She kept reassuring me that she wouldn’t hurt me, and that never crossed my mind.
Logically, why would she lure me here to cause me harm?
She's the same person who has helped me through many hard times in my life and has confessed her deepest shame.
My father is the most judgmental person I have ever met, and I swore I would never take after him.
The elevator stops, and I lunge forward, grateful that Rylee’s door is just down from it.
I barely stop before knocking. Rylee must have been right on the other side, as it opens after the first knock.
I take a moment to take in the beauty of my friend before pushing my way in.
Her eyes widen as I drop my bag, yank her close, and hug her.
“I’m so glad to see you,” I say, and then pull back. “Where is the bathroom?”
“There.” She points at a door directly across from us, and I run toward it.
I slam the door shut, almost catching the end of my hair in it as I fly inside. Cursing the invention of buttons and my bright idea to wear a jumper with tons of them, I almost rip my clothes in my haste.
Finally. Relief.
Once the stream is flowing, I gaze around the bathroom.
Rylee has good taste. The room could be featured in a magazine, with its clean lines, top-of-the-line shower, and elegant sink.
I was too busy trying not to pee my pants to notice anything in the other rooms. I’m sure it’s just as classy.
Letting out a breath, I finish and wash my hands.
Now that the emergency has passed, I’m a bit nervous.
Opening the door, I see Rylee leaning against the island in the kitchen.
“I see how I rate,” she says, grinning.
“I was on the brink of embarrassing myself,” I say, walking toward her. Her smile slowly disappears as I stop a few feet away. “Can I see your tail?” I ask, smirking. Her laughter eases the tension, and I join her. We slowly calm down, and the silence creeps in as we stare at each other.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” she whispers.
“Me too,” I whisper back before our eyes fill with tears, and we reach out at the same time.
All the years of friendship and secrets told, hit us, and we hold on to each other.
It didn’t matter that we hadn’t talked for years or that she was a shifter.
Rylee was my lifeline for most of my life.
When I mentioned being locked in my room, it wasn’t the first time.
She gave me a safe place even though we were miles apart.
She's always been bold, funny, and taken life by the balls. I’ve wanted her courage for life to rub off on me.
“Shit, we’re acting as if one of us is dying,” she mutters, pulling back with a smile.
“Your place is gorgeous,” I say, wiping my tears.
It’s an open floor plan. The kitchen is to the right of the front door, and the living room to the left.
Beyond the comfortable couch is an area with a large chair, surrounded by bookshelves and a desk.
“So many books.” I wander to the beautiful space, moving around the desk, and run my fingers over the spines.
“How many hours did we spend talking about our favorite stories?” I glance over my shoulder as she plops into the chair.
“Too many to count.” She chuckles. “We had to escape our lives somehow.”
“True,” I whisper, looking back at the shelves. “I was so happy when I moved out. The first thing I did with my paycheck was buy a bookshelf.” Father didn’t allow many books. He thought it gave me too many frivolous ideas.
“Did you talk to him?” she asks, and I sigh.
“No. What’s the point?” I sit in the chair opposite her. “He wouldn’t apologize. He thinks he knows best.”
“I’m still amazed at his disregard of your feelings when I shouldn’t be.” She curls her legs beside her. “You're better off without Brian. I didn’t like him.”
“Neither did I.” I laugh. “How sad is that? Why did I continue to date him?”
“Because you're lonely and searching for someone to care,” she says.
“I suppose. I’ve dated, but nothing has stuck.” I always find something wrong with whoever I’m seeing.
“You’ve had horrible examples for men in your life,” she says.
“Yeah, Father has never been warm and fuzzy,” I mumble, resting my head on my palm. “So, this Heath guy. He’s been good to you?”
“The best.” She grins. “It took a while to trust him. He’s never given me a reason to fear him. He gave me a home, and I'm loyal to him.”
“He’s really a snake shifter?” I wrinkle my nose, unsure how I’ll react to him when we meet.
“Yes.”
“Did you know what he was when you met?”
“No. Shifters know when we meet someone who is not human. I knew he was different, but I didn’t recognize his scent.
I’d never met a snake before.” She nibbles on her lip.
“Don’t be scared of him. I told him about you years ago, and he investigated you.
” I raise my eyebrows. “Not to offend you. He’s just really protective of me, and doesn’t want me hurt. ”
“I understand. Our friendship has been unusual. I’m happy he looks out for you.” Rylee deserved someone special to take care of her. “Is it weird that this isn’t weird?” I motion between us.
“Because of the fox shifter thing?”
“Yes.” She shrugs. “I mean, I always knew you were something special.”
“What can I say? I’m otherworldly.” She smirks.
“That you are.” I shake my head. “If it had been anyone but you, I would have turned around,” I say softly.
“I know,” she says, tilting her head. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Same.” I look out the windows behind me. “When is your fight?”
“Three hours.” She straightens. “I hope you packed a sexy dress.”
“I need a sexy dress?”
“Girl, have I taught you nothing?” She jumps up. “Everyone dresses up for these as if the polish cancels out all the blood.”
“I don’t want to see you bleed.” I frown.
“Don’t worry; my opponent will be the one in pain.”
“Good. I want to see you kick ass, but I think if I saw you struggling, I would jump in the ring to defend you.” I ease out of the chair.
“I would love to see the princess, long blonde hair flying behind you, roll into the ring,” she says.
“Don’t count me out.” I hold up my hand. “My knuckles still hurt from hitting Brian. I never had the urge before to punch someone.” She bends over my fingers.
“Damn.” She grabs my arm and pulls. “Let me put something on it to ease the pain. Let’s get your bag. If you don’t have a dress, you can raid my closet.”
“Dude, you're a bit taller than me,” I say as if she can’t see that.
“We’ll find something. Just to warn you…” She looks over her shoulder. “There will be lots of shifters there tonight. Most of them are part of Heath’s family.”
“More snakes?” I shudder.
“I don’t know if Juliana, his mate, will be there. He turned her into one. Many other species will attend.” She leads me to a door beside the bathroom after swiping the handle of my luggage. “They are his chosen family.”
“So, I’ll be the human pet?” I laugh, only half joking.
“No one will touch you. You are under my protection. Even more importantly, Heath knows how much you mean to me. They would have to have a death wish to fuck with him.” She pushes the door wide and walks into a bedroom. “Alright, get naked. We have an outfit to choose.”
I love dressing up. I’m all for a sweet dress, but I don’t want to look too tasty. Who knows what animals I’ll meet?
I don’t want them to take a bite.
I drag my hand down my dress as I step out of the car.
Rylee had the perfect outfit. It fits me like a second skin from neck to knees.
I love the deep red color. The long sleeves brush my bruised knuckles, but I don’t care.
My chest looks fantastic, and the black high heels are super sexy.
My makeup is dramatic, and the red lipstick matches my dress.
She helped me gather my long hair in a high ponytail, highlighting the streaks of blue underneath.
Our conversation was easy and filled with laughter.
I’ve never had any sleepovers with friends or spent hours talking about clothes and makeup.
Rylee is dressed in a short, tight, black dress.
I assumed she would be in shorts and a T-shirt, or whatever a fighter wears.
She scoffed, informing me she always showed up to her matches dressed to kill.
“This way,” Rylee says, and I look at her.
“It’s not what I expected.” The building is black and sleek-looking. It has to have at least four floors, and the parking lot is packed. We parked in the back next to a row of expensive cars.
“Heath has a gym on one of the floors,” she says as I follow her to the back door. “They teach self-defense classes, too.”
“Do you teach any?” I ask.
“No. But Heath wants me to.” She swings open the door, and I blink as we enter a bright hallway.
“Rylee, ready to kick some ass?” a man asks, entering the hallway from another door.
“You know it.” She grins and high-fives him.
“Who—”