Page 14 of Gunnar

Something tightens in my chest.

They chose this.

I glance down a dark hallway.

“So, what’s your deal?” I ask. “You just… take people in when they need somewhere to disappear?”

“Hell, no—” Orson growls.

“You’re our first client,” Torin cuts in, with a grin.

“Our only client,” Gunnar says. His gaze is locked onto mine. I feel like I couldn’t look away if I wanted to. “None of this was planned.”

“I need to use someone’s phone,” I demand. Before the cops stuffed me in their car, they searched me and took my phone. Communication devices are not permitted for people in witness protection. They even took my freaking Kindle.

“Not possible,” Gunnar says right away.

“Please, I need to make sure my cat’s going to be okay.”

He gives me a quizzical look. “Where is this cat?”

“She’s at home. I feed her as soon as I get back from work. She’ll be starving.”

“You didn’t tell the cops who brought you here?”

I sigh. “I did.”

I also told them that my mom is basically my dependent, and that I need to inform the cleaning agency I work for that I may not be around for a while.

“What did they say?”

“They said they’ll take care of it. But I don’t trust them.”

He gives me a long look. “I’ll look into it.”

“Does that mean you won’t?” I snap. I’m sick of men controlling me and fobbing me off with bullshit.

Surprise registers in his eyes. “I keep my word, Alexandria.”

“Thank you,” I mutter. I close my own eyes for a long beat. When I open them again, everything looks fuzzy.

God, I’m so darn exhausted. I haven’t slept for over twenty-four hours. “You have a guestroom for me or something?”

They exchange glances like they’re conferring with each other, but their lips don’t move.

Gunnar gestures down the hallway. “You’ll sleep back there.”

“Come on, I’ll show you—” Torin says.

“I’ll show her!” Gunnar’s voice is loud, and the other two step back.

He holds his hand out toward my shoulder. “Give me your bag.”

“I’ve got it.”

“You’re exhausted. You’re trembling.”

I glare at him. “I am not.”