Page 17 of Fallen Flame

She took a sip of her coffee and shrugged. “I mean, yeah, though I don’t see anything wrong. Seemed respectful to me.”

“Seems like deja-fucking-vu to me,” Dad laughed.

Wrecker looked toward Jude. “Ever doesn’t leave your side.”

Jude nodded. “She won’t.”

“And Oliver,” Wrecker continued, shifting his attention to me, “Lark sticks to you like gum on a boot. I don’t care if she wants to check the freezer, the bathroom, or climb onto the damn roof. Where she goes, you go.”

Lark’s eyebrows lifted. “Gum on a boot?”

Wrecker looked at her. “You prefer glue?”

“I feel like there are more flattering metaphors available.”

“I’m not trying to flatter you.”

“Clearly.”

Alice laughed softly.

I folded my arms across my chest. “I’ve got her.”

Lark turned toward me. “Do you?”

The question sounded innocent, but her expression wasn’t.

My jaw tightened. She had absolutely no intention of making this easy.

“I’ll keep an eye on you,” I corrected.

“That sounded less confident.”

“Lark,” Ever warned, though she was fighting a smile.

“What? I’m agreeing to the buddy system.”

Wrecker pointed toward the hallway. “Get whatever you need and leave before I decide locking all four of you in separate rooms is easier.”

Ever didn’t wait for him to reconsider. She grabbed Jude’s hand and pulled him toward the stairs.

“Come on,” she said. “I need my purse.”

They disappeared down the hallway, but Lark stayed where she was.

I glanced at her. “You need anything from your room?”

“Nope.”

“You’re ready?”

“Born ready.”

“That doesn’t answer the question.”

She looked down at herself, spreading her arms slightly. “Jeans, shirt, shoes, phone in my pocket. What else do I need?”

“Wallet.”