Page 30 of Red

“I’ll help you pack.”

I let the sadness flash on my face and go to the door. He trails along, his eyes scanning the place. I wait for a judgmental comment, but the silence between us fills the space.

I go to my room and fill a bag. This time, thinking it through, I pull a few dresses I’ve never had a reason to wear off hooks in my armoire, then grab a few extra pieces of red clothing—my favorite. On top of everything, I place a photo of the three of us up on the cliff. Pulling on a baseball cap for future emergencies, I stride out the room.

Stark’s flipping through the book I left on the kitchen table. “You like myths?”

“Oh no, my mom read those.”

“Too bad. I have an entire collection.”

“What? You do?” I clap my hand over my mouth.

Stark’s smile grows. I like it as much as the laugh, that rare moment his lips curve upward. The smallest dimples appear in those stone-edged cheeks.

A green truck plows through the snow and parks right out the door. My body freezes.

“It’s Jocko.”

“Oh.” I smile and head right out the door.

Stark carries my stuffed bag, and I grip the one with hair dye I scooped off the kitchen counter.

“Aloka, your unwanted chariot has arrived.” Jocko opens the back door, and I accept his help to climb in.

You good? Jocko doesn’t talk out loud to Stark.

Leave it.

Stark’s inner voice is always so pissed. I shake it away and lean back in the seat, then avoid looking at the home I love as we roll out to the road.

Chapter 13

Adouble knock and Stark opens the door. The sun hasn’t even come up yet. I wrap the sheets up around my head, blocking the light from the hallway. My burst of adrenaline faded a few minutes after driving yesterday and I feel no need to move yet.

“I have to leave, but Nikki”—I pull the sheet down so I can burn holes in him with my eyes—“is coming over, so you’re not alone.”

“No, thanks. I’ll risk it.”

“Not an option. You disappeared.”

“Correction, I saved my life. Where’s Jocko?”

Stark nears the bed and looks down at me, his drool-worthy smell of cedarwood reminding me of the muscles hiding under his shirt and that I am bare under the sheets. I reach for the comforter to add another barrier between us.

“He’s busy.”

“Call him. I’m sure I can convince him to come instead,” I flutter my eyelashes.

Stark’s fists form inside his pockets. Can’t say this isn’t fun. I don’t see why he’d care if I enjoy his second-in-command’s company so much. Jocko is the only person I can be relaxed here with. Like we could be family one day, as if the spirits didn’t leave me without every ounce of Pratt’s personality.

“Nikki is already here.”

“Hello?” Her voice rings down the hallway.

“I’ll be back tonight.”

“With Jocko?” I ask right before the door slams.