Page 52 of The Hijack

“It’s as good as any,” she replied.

“That was exactly my feeling,” I agreed.

We continued searching the personnel and blackmail files for any sign of Regg but didn’t discover him. After two hours, there was still more information to be mined, but our time was up. We gave up our seats to Z and Lukas and walked out into the hallway to find something else to do.

“This might be the last time we’re able to be alone for the foreseeable future,” I said, gazing softly at her as she leaned up against the wall.

“It’s just so difficult being back here,” Clark said, looking sad.

“Let’s get out of the house then,” I responded.

“Okay,” she agreed, taking me by the hand and leading me down the stairs.

We burst out the front door onto the lawn and walked down the drive until we found a little path through the woods. I had to hand it to Abernathy. He’d found the most remote spot to build his mansion on the entire Eastern Seaboard.

I followed Clark, who was deep in thought. I didn’t want to interrupt her. I knew that being back in this place after so long was probably doing a number on her psyche. Though I had only glanced at the schedule for one specific day, I could tell that there hadn’t been a lot of love to be had growing up. She probably had to fight for everything. And after what Lukas and Z had shared, it sounded like the kids were pitted against each other as much as they were asked to collaborate.

I found her hand and held it. We walked along the path until we came to a stream. Clark sat down beside the water and took her shoes off, dipping her toes in. I followed suit, although I didn’t take my shoes off. After a moment, I inched my way around so that I could gather her into my arms. She lay back against my chest, and we just sat, listening to the sound of the water gurgle past.

“I think we should stick together,” she said finally.

I kissed the top of her head. “That’s music to my ears.”

Chapter 26

Theo

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WE SAT IN SILENCE FOR a long time until Clark grew drowsy. I caught her nodding off and nudged her awake.

“Come on,” I said. “Time for bed.”

“Just another five minutes,” she bargained.

“You’re going to fall asleep here,” I argued.

“Just one more minute,” she murmured, clearly enjoying the much-needed rest.

I climbed to my feet, reaching down to scoop her into my arms. She laughed and hung on as I started down the path. I took us about a hundred meters before she wiggled free, her feet still bare.

“You can’t carry me all the way back to the house,” she objected.

“I can try,” I replied.

“It’s almost half a mile,” she stated, giving me a tired yet sultry look.

“That’s nothing,” I crowed, beating my chest like a cave man.

She shook off the exhaustion that had gripped her before and raced out ahead of me. I started after her, loving the way her body looked when it moved. She was pure grace in action, powerful and seductive. I hoped this would lead to the bedroom, since we had the entire night to ourselves.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Clark plunged through the front door and up the stairs, looking back to make sure I was following. I didn’t notice either Z or Lukas, but wherever they were, I hoped they were minding their own business.

Clark went straight for the master bedroom at the end of the hall, one that featured a king-sized bed instead of a plethora of smaller cots. She dove onto the bed and bounced her way around to face me. I suspected that this was where Abernathy slept when he was in residence, but I didn’t care.

I closed the door behind myself and slipped out of my shirt. Clark reached into the nightstand and withdrew a pair of handcuffs. She shook them playfully at me, daring me to accept.