Page 141 of Love Me

“Hey.”

“We need to talk,” he whispers, and an ice cube melts down my spine.

“I’m not sure how long my appointment will take.”

Kaden looks from him to me, and I shrug.

Hunter munches down a boiled egg and says, “Even with the eyes and fingerprints, there are too many things that could go wrong. We should split up. Some of us go through the tunnel while the rest try to get inside the building. That’s if Blake actually comes through and brings us the code from his father.”

Kaden looks at everyone at the table and says, “Blake, get it done already. We’re losing time. We can put the team together later.”

The entrance door opens, and Dane steps inside. I watch Abi staring at her barely touched plate while he looks at her.

“Eat,” Dane says.

She takes a big mouthful, and he relaxes slightly. “Happy?”

“Good, you came. Take him through the plan,” Kaden says.

“Let’s go,” Hunter says, and Kaden takes my hand.

“Are you out of your mind? I will go with her as her boyfriend. Remember?”

Kaden grits his teeth and I place my hand on his cheek.

“Hunter’s right. I will meet you there.”

Kaden storms away, and Mia says, “You could be more sensitive, brother.”

“And his behavior is compromising. It’s one thing for them to be together here, but we don’t need any suspicion when we’re so close.”

Hunter throws his napkin on the table and says over his shoulder as he opens the front door, “I’ll wait for you in the car.”

Great, now I have the company of two grumpy males.

Yay, it must be my lucky day. But Hunter is right. That’s why I keep my mouth shut.

“You know Hunter gets like this when…”

“When what?” asks Bailey.

Mia takes the plates, leaving me to decide if I tell her.

“I have endometriosis, and since we know everything about each other, he also knows my period is about to start.”

“Ah, and for men, women in pain are kryptonite. It’s actually one of their better qualities; I think that makes them bearable.” Bailey eyes the seat Hunter left behind, and sighs.

At the door, she hugs me and says, “Whatever today reveals, I am here for you.”

“Thank you.” My voice breaks and emotions flood me.

“We’re family.”

I slide intothe passenger seat, and Hunter starts the engine.

“I never asked how things are with Bailey?”

He grinds his teeth. “She’s an innocent lamb and I am a wolf.”

---