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“Even if they are combining in the manner you describe, that doesn’t explain your comment about our overall abilities.” I somehow managed to keep my voice even despite the uneasy certainty that this would bring my parents—or at least their representative—to the reservation. “No matter what way you look at it, two quarters does not make a whole.”
“No, it shouldn’t, and yet here, with you two, it does.”
Meaning if we are hauled up in front of the High Council, we could make your parents eat every damn mean word they ever said about you and me.
While that’s an admittedly appealing thought, I have no desire to either see them again or get dragged back to Canberra and be studied like lab rats.
With that last bit, I agree.
I glanced at her. But?
She half smiled. But it would be nice to be finally free to see my family again.
Guilt stirred. My inadequacy—and my fears about what my parents might force me to do if they found me again—was the reason behind her lost contact. It might have been a joint decision to run, but it was Belle who’d paid the greater price.
We couldn’t have stayed there and remained sane. And I certainly could not have stood by and watched you get abused six ways to Sunday, Belle commented. Even my mom agreed it was better for us to leave and go into hiding for a while.
Which still didn’t make it any easier on her. I returned my gaze to Ashworth. “I think you’re seriously overestimating—”
“I have never doubted what I see or sense, and I have no reason to do so now,” he cut in. “You two are a puzzle I very much intend to figure out—but not right now. We have a witch to hunt down first.”
“Then go. Belle and I can walk back—”
“Seriously?” Aiden said. “You want to have that argument again?”
I hesitated, and then shook my head. “You will let us know what happens tonight when you get the chance, won’t you?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then escort away.”
“Here I was expecting an almighty argument,” he said. “I’m gathering Belle talked you out of it?”
“No, although as I’ve said before, she is the more sensible of the two of us.”
“That is a somewhat scary thought given what I know of her.”
“You have absolutely no need to be scared,” Belle said. “And Lizzie only goes off the rails once or twice a year; it’s quite fun to watch when it happens.”
“I think there’s a story or two in that comment,” he replied, amused.
“And not ones you’ll be hearing anytime soon.” I grabbed the backpack and then followed Belle into the main room.
“Unless, of course, you bribe me with chocolate and pink bubbles,” Belle commented.
Aiden’s grin widened. “I shall requisition them ASAP.”
He locked the station door and then escorted us across to the truck. Ashworth climbed into the back seat while Belle and I claimed the front. The café was only a block away, so it didn’t take us long to get there.
“I might not get to the café tomorrow,” he said, as he pulled to a halt. “Just depends on the time we finish up tonight, and what leads we get.”
I nodded, then leaned over to kiss his cheek. Except he moved, his lips caught mine, and the kiss became something far more intense—and far more delicious.
He broke away with a slight groan. “You’d better go, before I do something I might regret.”
“I wouldn’t have thought sex in a truck would be something you’d ever regret,” Belle said casually.
“It’s the audience rather than the truck I’m referring to,” he said. “And please stop reading my thoughts.”
