It was the only real source of tension between them as high school kids. Sidney had always been jealous that Sasha had gotten to do whatever she wanted—but Sasha never wanted to do anything.
Where Sidney was always under a microscope because she wanted to do things.
It wasn’t fair, and so on.
But once they’d gone to separate colleges and gotten out of the house, Sidney proved to be more than capable of balancing her social checkbook, so to speak. She had no issue having a flourishing social life and still coming out of it with a bachelors in marketing and an internship at a high-powered firm in L.A.
Sasha, meanwhile, had never come out of her shell. One masters in library sciences later, and…it was clear which one of them won the game.
“Of course, Lady Bell.” Hook’s voice was a sensual purr as he bowed low, his hand pressed to his chest. “I would never think of double-crossing you. I am a gentleman, after all. I am only thinking of the tragic mistreatment you have suffered at his hands, after he brought that Wendy here. How could he believe a radiant and rare creature such as yourself could be so easily replaced?”
He really could lay on the charm when he wanted.
And nowshewas the one feeling a little bit jealous.
Sasha. No. Bad. Don’t be stupid.
But she wasn’t the only one falling for it. Tinker Bell was blushing, her fingers over her lips as she bashfully smiled.
“We will take her away.”
“Wait—is—is Sidney—” She paused. “Is Wendy alive?”
Tinker Bell looked at her, clearly flabbergasted as to why “Mr. Smee” would care. She nodded.
Sasha felt a weight leave her shoulders.
Hook cleared his throat. “As I was saying. We will take Wendy away, and a few of the Lost Boys—just enough to make it not seem suspicious. And we will not harm a hair on Peter’s head.” Hook lifted his hand in the air beside him. “On my honor.”
Tinker Bell chewed her lip. The fairy nodded and flew inside. The door swung the rest of the way open. How the little fairy moved thedoor, Sasha had no clue. But whatever. Fairy. Evil electric WWI-era crocodile. Flying children. Details.
Just go with it.
Hook gestured for his men to go inside. The pirates, toothless grins and eager smiles etched on their wrinkled and sand-pocked faces, went inside to do the deed.
At least the kids wouldn’t be slaughtered.
Yet.
Hook walked over to one of the pirates left standing guard, holding a wood and glass lantern aloft to light their way. Taking the lantern, he opened the door and blew out the candle. “Mr. Smee, come here for a moment.”
“Oh, no.” But she did as she was told.
“Hold this.” He handed her the lantern, the door open and facing out.
It wasn’t exactly subtle where this was going to go. Nor did she really have an option. So she took it and held it like he had instructed her.
“Oh, Miss Bell, I have a question.” Hook smiled down at Sasha, a glint of purple appearing in one of his dark brown eyes. “Just a quick clarification on our deal, if you don’t mind.”
The fairy appeared in a shimmer, hovering in the air near Hook.
The pirate moved fast for someone his size and relatively older age, compared to the Lost Boys. Hook snatched the fairy out of the air, grabbing her in his fist, his expression turning from one that bordered on seductive to one of lofty disgust within a split second.
“Pathetic little thing. To think I would make deals with you?Peh! But your obsession with that fool served me just fine.” He threw the fairy into the lantern. Tinker Bell hit the back wall of it hard, hitting the wax-covered bottom and covering her hands, legs, and her wings in the still-hot substance.
Hook latched the glass door shut. The holes for air were too small for Tinker Bell to escape. “I will keep my word to you, though. I will spare hislife. It is bad form to kill someone already injured. When he’s mended well enough to rescue Wendy and the others, you can tell him where they’ve gone.” Hook tapped on the glass with the curl of his hook before taking the lantern and hanging it on a low stub of a branch on the tree.
Tinker Bell waspissed.
