Sea Haven 01 - Water Bound

inside her house.
    She looked around her at the faces looking back at her with so much open affection. “You thought he was using me, didn’t you?”
    There was an awkward silence. “He’s gorgeous,” Blythe said. “Any woman would take one look at him and fall at his feet.”
    “You mean like Judith and Airiana did?” The scent of smoke was fading as her mind cleared, slowly releasing her from the grip of a full-blown panic attack. She turned her gaze back to the outdoors. She wouldn‘t
    — could’nt —be comfortable with the people she loved gathered under one roof, so she would have to pull herself together in order to keep them safe.
    “Or just me? I’m not desperate for a man, you know. I’m quite happy here without one.”
    “Rikki, no one is saying you’re desperate for a man,” Judith objected, her voice every bit as gentle as Blythe’s. “There are predators in this world, and they look for certain traits in women so they can use them.”
    “Certain traits?” Rikki sat up straighter, the scent of smoke dissipating altogether as her temper kicked in. “Just what are you saying?” She glared at them all. “No man is going to want to be with me because I’m so different?
    You think I don’t already know that?”
    “That’s not what I said,” Judith replied. “Nor do I think it’s true.”
    “Yes, you do,” Rikki said. “I think it, so why shouldn’t you? I don’t care. That’s the important thing here. I honestly don’t. I’m happy. I have a life. I don’t like other people around touching my things. He used my dishes this morning. He doesn’t eat peanut butter. Sheesh. He wants on my boat.”
    Blythe folded her arms and sat back in her chair. “Let’s think about this.”
    “Let’s not,” Rikki said. “As soon as he’s feeling better, he’s gone. No one has to worry about whether or not I’m going to be so desperate for a man’s attention that I let him use me.” She glanced up at Judith. “Or abuse me, if that’s what you’re implying.”
    148

    Judith shrugged. “You can get as angry as you want with me, Rikki, but if you think I’m going to back off from protecting my sister from a predator, you can just get over it. That man is no lamb. He’s got teeth, and he’s dangerous. It’s not some small shadow surrounding him. He lives with violence.”
    Judith always managed to disarm her with affection. And Rikki couldn’t very well deny that Lev was a violent man. He’d put a knife to her throat and he was a walking weapon. But they’d given her a chance, and she saw something in him that apparently Judith and Airiana couldn’t see. She saw past those shadows to something altogether different. But how could she explain what she didn’t understand?
    “I know what he’s like, Judith. You have to trust me this time. He’s much more than the protection he’s wrapped himself in.” Rikki looked up at the one person she knew she’d have to convince. Judith always amazed her with her insight into people. She was calm, where Rikki was stormy. She chose her words carefully, while Rikki often blurted out a response, if she bothered at all. “I’m asking as a personal favor to me that you give him a chance, Judith.”
    Judith sank down in front of Rikki and took both of her hands. “Tell me why you feel so strongly about him, honey. Make me understand.”
    Rikki shook her head. “I’m not like you. I’m not good with words. But I know him. I know him better than he knows himself. I see him. I can’t tell you how, but I do. He needs us. All of us. We have to help him. He’s lost—
    just like I was.”
    The women exchanged wary looks.
    Judith sighed. “You were never violent, Rikki.”
    “You don’t know that. You don’t. You took it on faith that I didn’t start those fires, but even I don’t know for certain. It makes sense. Everyone else believes I did. And don’t think Jonas Harrington hasn’t had his suspicions about me. He watches me. I’ve seen him. You gave me a chance when there was no reason to and I’m asking you to do the same for him.”
    “And if you’re wrong?” Blythe said.
    “I’ll keep him away from the rest of you. I’ll be the only one in danger.”
    Judith shook her head. “Absolutely not acceptable. I’m sorry, baby, but if you take the risk, we all do.”
    Rikki looked around her. Each of the others nodded solemnly. There was no dissenting vote. It was up to her. How strongly did she feel about Lev? She