Chapter 81

• Haven was pulling into the garage of his home when his phone buzzed persistently on the dashboard. He disregarded it to begin with, energetic to go inside to see Alexis. It had been a long day at work, and the thought of sitting down for supper with his wife was the thing keeping him from giving up to fatigue. The minute the car closed off, the buzz came once more. Grumbling, he reached for the phone and looked at the screen. Vanessa. Haven felt a familiar pressure in his intestine. Vanessa had a way of appearing up in his life when things were finally settling down, just like the moderate, unavoidable resurgence of a storm that was never truly gone. He faltered for a beat some time recently replying.
• "Hi?"
• "Haven." Her voice was tight, like she was in torment. "I need your help."