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Corrigan held up a hand. “Sorry. No, no. Friend, not foe.” He held both of his hands up in surrender. “I’ll announce I’m here better next time. I swear.”
Relief swept over me. It was overwhelming, and for a moment, my knees buckled under the abruptness of it. Then I shot him a dark and pointed look.
He shrugged, his smirk deepening to show off a dimple in his one cheek.
Bryce muttered, “My god.”
Corrigan laughed, his eyebrows wagging up and down now.
Beth frowned, taking on the exchanges. Then she shook her head and followed behind my dad, who was being led by one of the guards. When the three of us didn’t follow right away, he barked over his shoulder, “Get going. Now’s not the time for jokes. Let’s go.”
Corrigan saluted him, but my dad had already turned back around.
The three of us formed a close huddle as we started to follow the guards.
Bryce whispered, leaning close, “That was close, Cor.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” He flashed an apologetic grin. “I, uh, think I got the wrong presents. Too strong, you know.”
“Yeah,” I hissed. “You don’t say.”
“Sheldon! Boys!”
“Whatever. Let’s talk later. We have to make sure to go to Denton’s house now.” Bryce broke in front and hurried behind my father, who was climbing into the back of a car.
“You okay?” I brushed the back of Corrigan’s hand. I wanted to hug him. I would’ve, if we had time. Once we were in the car . . . no, not even then. It would be too suspicious.
“Yeah. I’m good.” Warmth filled his eyes as he studied me. “You okay?”
“I’m better.” Then to hell with it. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard. He was my best friend. I needed to know he was okay. “Thank you.”
He nodded and held back so I could get into the car first. There were guards all around us, shielding us. Before I ducked down and climbed to my seat, I turned and slid my arms around him. I didn’t give a damn. I needed to hug my friend.
After a second’s hesitation, Corrigan hugged me back.
“Any time, you two.”
I pulled back and got inside. Avoiding Bryce’s gaze, I ducked my head down and reached for Corrigan’s hand as he slid next to me. My dad’s impatience didn’t even piss me off. That’s how grateful I was to have them both there again.
My dad rapped on the window. “It’s time to go.”
Finally. We were going back to the city, back to find out who was trying to frame me.
One of the security guards had slid into the back with us. There were three rows of seats, and he had taken one of the first seats. His hand went to his radio, and he spoke into it, “All clear. Go ahead.”
The car started to roll forward.
The guard asked, “Mr. Jeneve, to the safe house?”
My dad opened his mouth to answer. Bryce leaned forward, cutting him off. “We can go to Denton Steele’s home.”
The guard looked to my father.
“What?”
Bryce said again, “Denton Steele. He still lives near your old home, but I’ve been in contact with him. He said we could go to his home at any moment, if we needed.”
My dad narrowed his eyes and tilted his head to the side.
