Page 28 of Trapped Truth

I rest my head back against the seat for a moment, allowing them time to scramble out. Axel begrudgingly accepts a hand from Blaine and his giant smirk, stiffly exiting the car before the door slams, and I’m left in blissful silence.

While I’m used to plastering on a calm mask for my team, it’s not always easy being an effective leader. This case has plucked every last nerve raw and left us exposed, bleeding out for the sharks to start circling.

Putting on a brave face isn’t the simple sacrifice it used to be. Not anymore. I can’t lie and pretend I know how this all ends. We thought wiping out Gael would be the last of it, not the start of a new bloody battle none of us were prepared for.

At the faint tap on the window, I startle, jerking upright in my seat.

“Are you coming inside?” Ember asks through the thin glass.

“Yeah, sorry. Just needed a sec.”

“Take your time. I’ve sent them inside to start getting snacks and drinks.”

Cracking the door, my prosthetic twinges when I awkwardly swing my limbs out. I’m not embarrassed to accept the arm Ember offers to help manoeuvre me up. We’ve seen each other in worse states than this, and driving always stiffens me up.

“They went in together?”

Ember shrugs. “Safety in numbers and all.”

“I’m not sure Hyland’s got another mile in him with Blaine in the same car.” I slam the door then lock up behind us. “They’re constantly at each other’s throats.”

She moves to take my hand, our fingers folding together. “Everyone’s exhausted and on edge. It’ll be fine once we’re back home in our own personal spaces.”

“It would help if they’d stop antagonising each other every five minutes.”

“I’ll talk to them. They’ll listen to me.”

“What makes you think that’ll work?”

“Because I’m not going to give them a choice. We’re a team, and fighting amongst ourselves isn’t an option. They need to put their egos aside for what’s to come.”

“Hell, love. You after my job as team leader, or what? You’re picking up all the pieces around here lately.”

“I’ve got enough on my plate with my current job.” She lets out a curt laugh. “Just trying to support my team a bit better. You’ve taken care of me plenty.”

I bump our shoulders together, leaning close to press a kiss to the top of her braided hair. “You hold us together more than you’ll ever know, Em. You’re our foundation.”

“Pretty sure I’m the one who almost tore your family apart.”

“Don’t even think that for a second.”

“It’s true.”

“Hard disagree,” I hotly deny. “If they’re not allowed to bicker and fight, you’re banned from the blame game.”

When she doesn’t respond, I scan around the fuel station’s empty forecourt then stop to push her up against the wall. Our bodies align, pelvis to pelvis, not an inch of personal space left to hold us apart.

“Ember,” I say more firmly.

“We really don’t need to talk about this here.”

“Look at me, Em. Now.”

Eventually, her storm-swept irises sear into me. “You don’t just have to stay stuff. I know I’ve turned your life upside down since I came home, and I’ve brought so much trouble to your doorstep.”

“You seriously think I care?”

“Don’t pretend like it’s not true.”