Page 62 of Locke 2

He wasn’t helping matters. Conor had a vein in his neck that was close to popping, and Jem was poking the bear.

“It’s not what you think,” Locke said next, trying to reason with the man that was known to have a violent side.

“It’s exactly what I think,” Conor spat. “You found her again—”

“I found her a lot longer ago,” Locke cut in sharply. “I’m telling you, Conor, it’s not what you think. Well…not entirely.”

Conor stilled, his face growing curious, while my brows pinched together. Stunned speechless, I gaped at Locke’s giant back, wondering what he meant.

What they both meant.

“We’re looking for a boy,” Locke said. “He’s in a hole.”

“That’s a big statement to make,” Jem suddenly cut in, gaping. “We don’t know that.”

Conor didn’t reply. His gaze hardened on Locke. “He’s in a hole?”

Locke nodded. “My source confirmed there is a hole in Georgewel. There are operations happening right here. I couldn’t get a location because it’s run by one man only.”

Jem fumed. “You didn’t tell me that, Locke.”

“I just did,” Locke returned.

“When did you find out—”

“I’m the one talking to him,” Conor interrupted, fuming. “You can have your turn later, Jem. I have things to settle with Locke first.”

“Show her around, Jem,” Locke said next, his gaze still trapped on Conor. “Until I finish settling this matter.”

The last thing Jem wanted was to leave. He clenched his teeth but swallowed his curse.

“Sure thing.” He said icily as he tugged on my arm, rousing me out of my shock. “Come hither,Kari. Let me make you feel at home in your new abode.”

Twenty-Eight

Kali

Jem’s way of making me feel at home was to force me up the creaky stairs and to the last door down the hallway. He opened it and sauntered in while I stood at the threshold, trying to listen in on the conversation downstairs. Their voices were muffled, though. They were trying to be quiet. I almost wished they’d had that row Jem was excited about just to glean more information out of what I heard.

“Leave them alone,” Jem scolded, cutting through my thoughts, though he did look bitter about having to leave them.

I glowered at him, not liking his tone. “Fuck off, Jem.”

His brows shot up, and he let out a low chuckle. “Where are your manners?”

“Where were yours when you told my school I like to set exotic birds on fire?”

“Oh, that was just one of the things I said.” He let out a low whistle. “Sweetheart, you don’t want to go back there, alright?”

A spike of anger ripped through me, but I swallowed a retort, knowing he was the kind of man that feasted on dramatics.

Ignoring him, I took a step into the room and dropped my bag on the floor beside the queen bed. I glanced around the bedroom. Sterile and clean. Nothing to suggest that Locke was using it. I kept my back to Jem, not wanting him to read the disappointment on my face.

“I need to go back for my dog.”

“Your dog is perfectly fine,” Jem returned.

“How would you know?”

---