Page 37 of A Wild Darkness

A question I’d like an answer to myself. “I really don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“No. When you left earlier, I just had the urge to go with you to make sure you’re safe.” I’m surprised at how the words fall from my mouth without a thought.

“Oh.”

A silent moment passes.

I push off the side of the car. “We have to leave for the masquerade ball soon. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Stevie’s hair flips around. “My car is right there.” She points at the BMW parked only two spots away from mine.

“I know,” I say, and escort her to her car.

She slowly follows me.

I open her car door. “I’ll see you at home.”

Perplexed and unsure how to respond, she slides in and rests her bag on the passenger seat, then turns to close the door.

As I ride close behind her all the way up the mountain, a call comes through my Bluetooth.

“Hey,” River greets me as soon as I answer the call.

“Did you guys land already?”

“Yeah. The flight was easy and smooth.”

“Awesome. So, what’s up?” I ask.

“That masquerade ball is tonight and I wanted to check in with you. Do you need anything? Are you ready?”

“I’m fine. I don’t need anything.” Irritation whips at my back at my cousin’s constant checking in with me. “Honestly, this is nothing like what we’ve ever done before. There’s no playbook.”

“That’s it?” he asks, and I can almost feel my control freak cousin’s anxiety at my nonchalant approach.

“River, sometimes we need to rely on our knowledge and instincts.” I remind him that we don’t always operate the same way. He likes to plan things out in advance, but since this is my first solo project, I find myself more controlled than I thought I’d be.

“What about Stevie? Have you guys gone over the specifics at all? Or what could she expect?”

My eyes bore into the bright red taillights of the car. “Yes. And she’s fine. I’m following her back to the manor right now.”

“You’re following her home?”

“Yes.”

River’s sarcastic chuckle booms through the speakers. “How does she feel about that?”

I can’t help but laugh as well. “She doesn’t like it. But she’ll have to get used to it.”

“Oh, man. I hope you two don’t kill each other before you’re able to get the job done,” he says.

Stevie pulls off the highway onto the bottom of the hill leading up to the property.

“Wouldn’t that be a plot twist?” I comment. “Look, I’ve got to go. We’re back at the manor.”

“Okay, good luck. Text me if you need anything.”