Page 40 of Unmasking Her Shadow

“You’ll see.” She squeezes my hand, and I hold her tighter.

“When does this stop being terrifying?” My voice shakes a little after we make a sharp turn.

She chuckles softly. “Fear mixed with pleasure is a great combination.”

“I agree. But that’s beside the point. I don’t want to actually die.”

“I’ll keep you safe, Red. Promise.”

When we stop behind Ryker at a red light, a man in the car next to us looks our way and rolls down his window.

“Hey,” he yells at me, but before he can say anything else, Ki has a gun pointed in his direction.

“What the fuck, man?” He spits.

“She’s mine,” she growls, claiming me in front of this stranger, even though we have definitely not discussed if I am hers or not. It makes me feel something, though. A lot of something. Possessiveness looks good on Kioni, and knowing she could one hundred percent back it up makes it even hotter.

“Hmm,” I hum. “I’m yours?”

“I don’t like to share. And fuck that guy for hitting on you when you are on the back of my bike.”

“He only said ‘hey’,” I correct. Technically, she’s already sharing me, and now I feel like a shitty person even though I don’t even know the person she is sharing me with. And I’m not technically with either of them…yet.

“I know what he was thinking and about to say,” she argues.

“Because you’re a cop?”

“Because I know that look. It’s the same look I try not to let show every time I lay eyes on you. ‘Fuck, she’s stunning, perfect, and I want to make her mine in every fucking way possible’.’”

My breath hitches. “Ki,” I whisper so softly I’m not sure she heard me.

“Go on a date with me, Sam.”

A date? What if I’m not dating material for another woman? What if I’m only good at being hidden away?

She places her hand over mine again. “Red?” her voice breaks up my silent conversation.

“Okay,” I answer. “But what if I’m already sort of seeing someone?”

“Seeing or dating?”

Can I really even say seeing because that isn’t exactly true either?

“I don’t know how to answer that question,” I admit.

“Then it’s settled. You’re single and I’m taking you on a date.”

I giggle nervously. This is such a messed-up situation, but I can’t seem to get out of it, nor do I want to either.

We come to a large, secluded spot by the river, shaded by trees. Ryker spreads out a large blanket and places a brown bag in the middle before plopping down and resting his back against the tree with his legs stretched out in front of him.

“We are having a picnic!” I squeal with excitement.

“Told you this was a good idea,” Ki tells Ryker.

I place my helmet next to me and sit down on the blanket while Kioni hands out our food and drinks—deli sandwiches, fruit, chips, and bottles of water. Such a classic lunch, but when you pair it with the thought, place, and people, it’s spectacular. I’ve never had a lengthy relationship, but even when I was with ex-boyfriends, they did nothing like this. Who would rather sit in crowded restaurants where you are not only uncomfortable but can’t even have meaningful conversations without being overheard?

“You guys are the best. I’m glad I met you,” I tell them both. Ryker may not have had the idea, but he’s here, and that says something about his character. He could have easily just remained close enough to where Ki was to pick her up if there was an emergency they needed to rush off to. There’s some sweetness underneath all that hard exterior. “Where’s your lady?” I tease.