Page 23 of Drowning in Darkness

“No.”

“Then stop at the next gas station. I need snacks.”

“Don’t try anything cute.”

“I’m always cute. But less so when I’m hangry.”

“Why aren’t you freaking out more?”

“Will that get you to turn around and take me back? Because I can cry on command. Maybe a little wailing? A gentle yet escalating series of screams?”

“Forget I asked.”

“The genuine answer is that freaking out makes me feel even less in control than I am now. An added bonus is that my lack of freaking out is freaking you out.”

She leans forward and switches on the radio, fiddling with the stations until it settles on a smooth country station I can get behind.

She bobs her head and hums along to the tune. Her fingers dance on her thigh. Piano? Guitar? She plays something, but I swallow the need to ask her what. I need nothing else to add to the mental picture already formed in my mind. The little details, the way the setting sun turns her dark hair a little auburn. I don’t need that.

I clear my throat and indicate to take the exit to the gas station. “You need to call Honor and Hunter.”

She grimaces but nods as I hand her my phone. “Where’s mine?”

“Back at the pool house. Best not have any tech that can be tracked to the safe house, just in case.”

“But you’ve brought yours.”

“Eleanor checked mine this week.”

I put the brakes on and tap my thumbs as I wait.

“Aren’t you getting snacks?” she wonders.

“After you’ve made the calls.”

“I’m not stupid, James. I don’t think for one minute you’re here because you want to be. I know you can hardly stand me, and this is an act born out of loyalty to your sister.”

She thinks I can’t stand her? It’s for the best, but I don’t like the way it makes me feel.

“Fine, any snack preferences?”

“Something salty, something sweet, something savory, and a bottle of water. Gotta keep me looking like a healthy abductee.”

I shake my head and jump out, taking a few minutes to fill up the tank. I can hear her on the phone to Honor, who seems to be handling it about as well as I’d expected. Camryn seems to have smoothed over their worries by claiming it was a planned operation that was time-sensitive. Honor and Fox are among the few who know I’m working both sides, but they can’t be so naïve as to think Camryn would send alone for Stephanie. She can be very convincing, though.

I stroll into the station, grab a basket, and toss a little of everything inside, as requested. There’s enough to have her hyped up on sugar or dozing in a carb coma. I glance out the window, smiling as I see her hands flying in the air as she no doubt argues with her brother. It’s still going on when I climb back inside the car and drop two bags of goodies on the back seat.

“He’s right here now,” Stephanie grumbles. “Hunter wants to talk to you.”

“Hunter wants to fucking murder him,” her brother snaps.

I guide the car back onto the road and settle in for an ass-whooping by another King. Although something tells me he doesn’t have shit on his sister if she chose to verbally hand me my ass. The thought doesn’t send my blood anywhere but south. Get it together. Her brother’s on the phone.

I let him say his piece, giving me a ten-point list on why he is the most appropriate person to keep her safe. He’s not wrong, but because of who he loves, he’s also not right.

“The first place he will come looking is anywhere you are,” I interrupt as he repeats himself, as if he could wear me down. He has no idea of my upbringing and the mental fortitude it’s taken to survive. “If I thought differently, I would deliver her straight to you. But you have someone precious to me, too. I won’t put her at risk, no more than you would my sister.”

“But you aren’t in love with my sister.”