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When we arrived back, I headed upstairs with Caiden and flopped down on the bed, rubbing my aching arms. I pulled out my phone, looking back through the photos I’d taken during the day, when I suddenly remembered the birthday gift from Arlo.
Sitting bolt upright, I retrieved it from the drawer next to the bed and unwrapped it curiously.
A small note fell out, and I immediately recognised Arlo’s handwriting.
Stay safe. Arlo
I opened the box with a shaking hand, pulling out a small silver cylindrical object, with a key ring at the top. It looked a bit like a pen, with grooves down the aluminium body, which tapered down to a pointed end. “What’s that?” Caiden asked curiously from his position next to me on the bed.
I handed it to him with a shrug, along with the note, and he examined it from every angle.
“It’s a kubotan.” At my blank look, he explained, “It’s a self-defence keychain. That could come in useful. Keep it close, with your keys, and I’ll show you how to use it when we get a chance.”
“For self-defence? I wonder why your dad decided to give me this particular gift.” I frowned, slipping the object into my pocket.
His expression grew thoughtful. “I don’t know, but we need to speak to him. That, plus the message, is suspicious as fuck.” He rose from the bed, pulling his hoodie back on. “We’ll worry about it later, though. Dress warmly. Time for the final part of your birthday surprise.”
I glanced at my phone clock. It was getting late, and it w
as dark outside. What was he planning?
EIGHT
I programmed the route into my satnav system, even though I was fairly sure of the way. It had been a long time since I’d been there last, though. My girl sat silently next to me, and I could feel the excitement thrumming through her as I steered us away from the house and onto the road, the R8’s headlights cutting a swathe of light through the darkness. The weather conditions were fucking perfect—good thing since I didn’t have a backup plan.
“You wanna put some music on?” I suggested.
“Remember that first time I was in your car, and you turned the music up really loud so I wouldn’t talk to you?” I could feel her eyes boring into me, and I heard the smile in her voice.
“Yeah, I remember.”
“Remember how you pretty much broke the speed limits so you could get to uni and get rid of me?”
I sighed heavily. “I remember that, too. Now do you wanna relive all the bad memories, Snowflake, or do you recall any good ones?”
“I remember how you stopped me from falling and caught me, before we went into the party at your dad’s house. I remember your hand on me. When you touched my wrist, looking at my tattoo.” Her voice grew so fucking soft. “I remember you holding on to me as we walked into the room. I was so intimidated and out of my depth, but even though you hated me, you gave me strength and support.”
“Baby,” I muttered. “I didn’t hate you then. My head was so fucked up.”
“I know.” She placed her hand on my thigh, squeezing it lightly. “I remember the first time you kissed me. I’d never had a kiss like that before, and I thought I’d die if I never got to do it again. You made me feel alive, for the first time since my dad’s death.”
“Fuck.” My voice was hoarse. I took my hand from the gearstick and trailed it up her leg, needing to touch her. “I wasn’t even thinking straight that night—hadn’t been since the first moment I saw you. But you have to know it was the same for me. You lit a fucking fire inside me, and when I finally stopped fighting myself, all I saw was you. You chased away my demons.” I paused, gathering my thoughts, and admitted, “Yeah. I still have some. But you’ve smashed through all my defences and taken the one thing I’ve never given to anyone before.”
“What’s that?” Her voice was the barest whisper.
“My heart. You know you own every piece of me, Winter.”
“You own every piece of me, too.”
“Fucking right I do,” I glanced over to her, grinning, and she returned my grin with a beaming smile. “Now, sit back and relax. We’ve still got another thirtyish minutes to go, and the road gets a bit dodgy up ahead, so I need to concentrate.”
“Whatever you wish, King Caiden,” she said.
I glanced over her to catch her smirking, noting her sarcastic tone. “None of that, or I’ll have to make you get on your knees for me again.”
“I think that can be arranged, regardless.”
She turned her attention to the stereo as I shook my head, smiling, and turned onto the pitted, narrow, and winding road that would take us to our final destination.
