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“Say it again,” he begs. “Tell me I didn’t fuck things up.”
My stomach churns. There’s no right answer when there’s too much wrong in this situation.
“I’ll get over it.” I swallow and force myself to follow the path I’ve chosen. “We’re good, Sebastian.”
That smile returns a second before he steals a kiss. His lips are harsh and possessive. They claim me, taking me over, dragging me under. Then, just as quick, they’re gone.
“You’re killing me, you know that?” He grins. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I swear you’re slaying me one slow inch at a time.”
Maybe I am.
Maybe he’s doing the same to me.
I guess only time will tell.
“We better get going.” I maneuver out from against him and lead the way. “Hunter doesn’t seem like the type to appreciate waiting.”
“Hunter’s not the type to appreciate much of anything.” He catches up to me, slinging an arm around my shoulders.
We walk to the car, and neither of us has words to fill the uncomfortable void as we pause to lean side-by-side against the hood. It’s my fault. I went from zero to sixty in a heartbeat with this man. I pulled all the stops. Then had to swerve off course when that woman showed up.
Which sparks to life an important question. “How did she find us?”
He stares at the road, not a single flicker marring his expression. “My guess? She put some tracking app on my phone.”
I frown. “You let her mess around with your cell?”
He keeps ogling the same spot of asphalt near his feet. “I think she’s used it once or twice to make a call. Who knows what she did during that time. I’ll have to ditch it and buy a burner until we get back to Portland.”
My brows knit tighter. He’s too calm. He doesn’t understand what all this means. “Sebastian…” I don’t know how to broach the consequences.
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Let it go.”
I can’t. Tracking him means she’d have a wealth of information. Every job he’s done for my family would be traceable. Any alibi we gave him could be exposed as a lie. And the safe house… Shit. She would know the exact location of where we’re staying, now and when my family needs to hide in the future. “You don’t understand what this means.”
“I know exactly what it means, Keira.” His voice is barely audible. “And I know what needs to be done, too. Let me handle it.”
My heart squeezes. We’re both talking about the same thing. About killing a woman because of her infatuation. Nausea swirls in my gut, the sensation multiplying the longer we stand in silence.
I can’t drag my gaze away from him. I watch his profile as he raises his attention to the oncoming traffic, his disposition calm despite the death that’s about to lay at his feet.
He fits into my family better than I thought. His puzzle piece slides in right beside mine. I don’t know if it’s a good thing, or bad. Should I appreciate his familiarity or be disappointed that he’s so similar to Cole?
“They’re here.” He pushes from the hood and stands tall as a black Chevy Suburban pulls in behind us.
I join him, greeting Hunter and Sarah with a faux smile while they climb from the car.
“I’m glad you’re safe,” Sarah says in greeting. If those words came from any other person, I’d expect a hug to come with it, but she’s not the type. She cares to the fullest and despises shows of affection in equal measure.
On the outside, she’s a total badass. Entirely dark, from her black tank, skirt, and fuck-me boots. But on the inside, I know she isn’t that tough.
Then there’s Hunter, who approaches with the same scowl that’s been tattooed on his face from the first moment we met.
“Thanks for the concern, sweetness,” Sebastian drawls. “I knew you’d miss me.”
She turns her attention to him, eyeing his clothes with derision. “What’s with the shirt? Did you become a stripper and forget to tell me?”
“Sure did.” He grins. “Want a lap dance?”
I bristle, all the hairs on the back of my neck rising in jealousy.
“Quit the shit,” Hunter scolds. “And why the fuck are you dressed like that?”
“I’m setting a new—”
“It’s my fault,” I admit, already sick of the playful joker. Minutes ago Sebastian had been someone else. Someone brutal and honest. The guy beside me is different, and I have no clue which personality is the fake one. “I shrunk his shirt, and we haven’t had a chance to buy him any new clothes.”
Hunter juts his chin in acknowledgement, then focuses on Sebastian as if I no longer exist. “We need to go somewhere and talk.”
Sebastian nods. “There’s a diner further up the road. We can go there.”
“The women can,” Hunter clarifies. “You and I are going to find someplace private.”
There’s a pause of silence, the beat of contemplation slipping through us all.
They’re going to leave me behind. Alone. Unprotected.
I’m not overly concerned. Nobody is likely to find me out here. Except Sebastian’s formidable ex. And even if she did approach me, there’s a thing or two I’d like to get off my chest as far as she’s concerned.
“I’m not going anywhere without Keira.” Sebastian’s brows pull tight. “She stays with me.”
“Sarah can take over for a while. We won’t be gone long. We’ll take a short drive. We don’t need to go far.”
“Sarah?” Sebastian scoffs.
“Yeah, me.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Please be dumb enough to tell me you don’t think I’m capable.”
“Well, okay, seeing as though you—”
“Seriously, shut the fuck up,” Hunter snaps, his viciousness making me jolt. “We need to get moving.”
“No.” Sebastian loses the playful expression. “I said I’m not leaving her. We can have a private conversation wherever the hell you like, but I’m keeping her in my sights.”
There’s an emotional standoff. One fierce man staring down another.
“You’re not thinking straight,” Hunter snarls through clenched teeth. “We need to talk. In private.”
This is never going to end. Not without a fistfight. Or worse.
Sarah meets my gaze and raises a brow in question. I know what she’s asking. And I guess I should’ve opened my mouth sooner, but the display of overbearing protection is hard to ignore. It penetrates the drama-filled thoughts from earlier and leaves me a little more susceptible to Sebastian’s charm.
“I’ll be fine.” I incline my head in the direction of the diner and start striding out the distance. “I can take care of myself until you get back.”
“Keira, wait.” Sebastian jogs after me, rounds me up to walk backward in an effort to hold my gaze. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know. But Hunter isn’t giving you a choice.” I paste on a smile. “Go. Do whatever you need to do. I’ll be waiting for you once you get back.”
He stops and grabs my arms, his eyes filling with furious concern. “I don’t—”
“It’s not a big deal.” I place a hand over his and squeeze. “The sooner you go, the sooner you come back.”
“Are you sure?” He scrutinizes me.
“She’s sure.” Sarah approaches my side. “Hurry up and get out of here before my man bursts an artery.” She grabs my wrist and tugs. “Come on, Kee. Let’s have some girl bonding time.”
She leads me away, my hand falling from Sebastian’s arm as he stands tall in defiance.
“I’ll be right back,” he mutters.
“Take your time,” Sarah calls out over her shoulder. “The two of us have a lot to discuss.”
I feel him watching me as I leave. The warm tingle follows my every step. When I’m about to turn the corner, I glance over my shoulder, and there he is, still in the same spot, staring at me.