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“Consider it done, Mr. Abbott.”
The call disconnects. I blink rapidly, my brain trying to make sense of what just happened back there. “Why did Tom follow us outside? Why wasn’t he dancing with Karli?”
Hiro keeps his eyes straight ahead, and I realize he’s got the lights turned off as we snake through the campus streets. “I don’t think Tom was there to dance.”
I sit back, breathing heavily. “Why were you there?”
“Henry asked me to come.”
“Who is Madeleine?”
“She works for me.”
I think back to what I know about Hiro. I know he owns some kind of tech company, and he developed an app that he sold for millions. He doesn’t dress like a tech guy though, and the way he put down Tom isn’t exactly something I would think a tech guy capable of. “What kind of app development teaches you those moves?”
“You’d be surprised.”
I bet. This is answering none of my questions. I lean forward, peering into the darkness. “My building is just off the next right here.”
Hiro keeps driving.
“Hey, where are we going?” Alarm straightens my spine. I look out the back window, but no one is behind us. “Shouldn’t we go back and speak with security? Or maybe the police?” I pull out my phone.
“What are you doing?” Hiro asks.
“Texting Karli.”
“Don’t. Don’t use your phone.” He holds out his hand. “Give it to me.”
I hug it to my chest. “I’m not going to give you my phone.”
Hiro blows through the stone gate marking the entrance into campus. He makes several left turns heading down residential streets before he pulls into an empty driveway and touches the screen on his watch.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, looking up at the dark windows of the house.”
“Waiting.”
“I don’t think anyone is home. Do you know who lives here?”
“I don’t. And I don’t care if they’re home.” Hiro shifts, turning to me, his dark eyes flashing. “We’re going up to my cabin for a few days.”
“We’re going, like me and you?” I point my finger back and forth between us. “Is Henry there?”
He shakes his head. “No, he’s still in Singapore. It’s just temporary, until he can fly back and get you.”
“Why send you? I could just stay in my apartment until he gets here.”
“He asked me to take you.”
“Well, I don’t want to go. Besides, I’m not packed for a trip, and I’m certainly not dressed for anything other than a Christmas party.”
“I wouldn’t say you’re dressed at all,” he mutters.
I glance down at my pleated red cheerleader skirt, white blouse and my white, red and green striped over-the-knee socks. I even took a green scarf and wrapped it around my waist as a belt. I look like a cute elf. My knee twinges and I lift it to see the tear in my socks and the angry, red welt underneath. In my shock, I didn’t even register the pain, but I’m definitely feeling the burn now. I sniffle back the tears that are threatening.
Hiro stops scanning the street behind us and focuses on me. I brace myself for whatever sarcastic comment I’m certain is on the tip of my tongue.
Warm hands cover mine, brushing them out of the way. “How bad does it hurt?” He leans over my lap, gently rolling my stocking down, lifting the torn fabric away so it doesn’t pull at my raw knee.
