Free Haven's Choice by Tarah Knight Page A

opened his and stood there staring at it before he looked up at Haven. “It appears that I will go first.”
    The next evening Deacon showed up right at dusk in a sleek 1953 corvette. Haven was impressed. She didn’t think he would even own a car. It was long and low and as black as midnight. She trailed her fingers over the glossy paint job as he loaded her bags in the truck. Verlon gave him a long list of rules that he insisted be followed to the letter. Barron didn’t show up, which did, and didn’t surprise Haven. She could really see him going either way.
    “Alright Deacon you have seven full days and nights to spend with Haven. Remember no feeding from the flesh and no consummating the relationship. If you do not have her returned at the specified time I will come looking for you and you know I will find you.” Verlon frowned down at Deacon from his towering height. Deacon simply nodded then opened the door for Haven. She slid onto the soft as butter black leather and watched as Brooklyn and Verlon waved as they pulled away. They were silent for several long minutes with Haven racking her brain trying to come up with something to say. She finally cleared her throat and just opened her mouth.
    “So why did you both want to go last?” The question came out of nowhere. But now that she asked it she really wanted to know.
    “It was all about strategy. Whoever went last could perhaps learn from the others mistakes and have an advantage.” Haven studied his profile as they drove. The headlights from the oncoming cars made his eyes glow like a cats. Then the absurd picture of Deacon with whiskers and a tail popped into her mind and she giggled. The harder she tried to stop the worse it became! When he turned to look at her she howled in laughter holding her sides and wiping tears as they streamed from her eyes. “I’m sorry!” She finally gasped out. She finally pulled herself together enough to sit up in the seat.
    “Would you like to share what you found so amusing?” Deacon asked. Haven shook her head hard!
    “No, not really. Trust me, you don’t want to know.” He continued to stare at her for a long moment then he turned back to the road. Haven thought about what Brooklyn had shared with her, the tragedy that Deacon had faced and overcame. But she wondered if he truly had overcome it? Was the murder of your father and the death of your mother by your own hand something that one could truly ever hope to overcome? How could anyone remain sane after such an event? According to the story he did not although to look at him now you would not guess his history, his past. He would cast glances her way and she would catch glimpses of vulnerability beneath the strength that he wore so easily.
    “Deacon? If this has never happened before, two men bonding with the same woman, why do you think it is happening now?” He reached up and rubbed his face hard before he turned to her.
    “I have lain awake for days pondering this question Haven, I have only one answer. I believe that you are a twin yourself. Perhaps your sister died in the womb, or after birth. But to me this is the only answer that makes any kind of sense. Twins share such a tight bond it’s the only bond that is even comparable of that between Serah’s. Now the question remains does my Serah live or does his?”
    “If that is really what happened, and I agree it would make sense, my twin must have died in the womb unknown to my mother. She would have told me if she had been still born. I will admit that I feel more of a connection to you, but we have shared more than Barron and I have. You saved my life you came to me first. I don’t know if that means anything or not. Deacon I understand that it is not just my life at stake here, my happiness. Please know that I will give both of you the same consideration and opportunity to win my heart, or help me decide, or whatever it is that I need to do.” She watched as he swallowed then nodded as he once