Page 65 of After the Burn

We walked down the street toward the boarding house, and I froze when I saw Taryn and Lila being escorted into a department store. When our gazes met, she narrowed her eyes in irritation, but then her gaze dropped to the two men walking beside me—and she blushed.

I really needed to sleep. No way would Taryn be looking at Adrian like that. I was surprised when I glanced at Adrian, expecting to see a scowl at the lovey-dovey shit between Beck and Taryn, only to see him smiling at her.

What the fuck was going on? Taryn had refused to give him the time of day unless she was making a bitchy comment or the conversation was directly about our survival.

I looked back at her, confused, and was just in time to see her flip me off discreetly before the door shut behind her.

There’s the brat I know but definitely don’t love.

“It seems y'all have a lot of explaining to do,” I said quietly as Beck grabbed the boarding house door and motioned us inside.

Neither man spoke until we entered their room, and the door was firmly shut behind us.

“We have a lot to discuss with you.” Adrian took a seat at the small table.

Beck walked into the tiny kitchen and grabbed each of us a beer. “How are the girls?”

“Well, they were fine when I left. But food is scarcer than when you two set out for this place.” I pulled out a chair to sit, and Beck joined us at the table. “We need to get back as soon as possible.”

He sighed and pulled out a chair. “That’s the plan.”

I startled when I felt something wet on my hand, then looked down to see Max standing near me. “Hey, boy. I’m glad to see Taryn didn’t get you killed.”

“Like she’d ever let something happen to him.” The chair creaked as Beck sat down.

“Are you sure that thing is going to hold you?” I scratched Max’s ear and smirked at the big bastard.

“It’s held up so far.” His throat worked as he leaned his head back and took a long pull from his bottle.

I had my doubts.

“Cold beer. That’s a treat.” I took a sip of mine and savored the taste.

“Gideon makes sure the enhanced men stay content.” Adrian took a drink from his bottle.

“I was going to ask why you didn’t come back, but after meeting Gideon and hearing his crap, I think I get it now.” I rubbed my face, exhaustion hitting me hard.

After the fever and waking up with these super senses or enhancements, as they were referred to here, I learned that we could go farther and faster, but we still needed rest.

“We didn’t want to drag any trouble back to the girls. Gideon's been keeping tabs on everything we do. I’m sure he wasn’t convinced we’d been alone since all this began.” Beck looked down at the table with a scowl. “But we think we have a plan to get us out of here.”

“I assume it involves Taryn and Lila, too?” No way these two would leave their precious Taryn behind.

“No shit,” Beck said sarcastically.

Adrian looked at me like I was an idiot for asking. “It does. But you’re an important part of it too.”

“I can’t wait to hear this.” I narrowed my eyes, annoyed with them both.

“I doubt that,” he said under his breath. Then he took a long drink of his beer.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. It was rare for Adrian to hem and haw like this. I was afraid that whatever he had to say, I wasn’t going to like.

I grew really nervous when Beck leaned back in his tiny chair and grinned. “Just rip the band-aid off.”

Adrian snorted and then turned up his bottle again.

“Just fucking tell me already!” The dread building in my stomach was making me sick.