Page 26 of Feed Your Fiends

“She wants to live in the tower again.”

And baby gets what baby wants.

“I got you a departure gift,” I say, digging into my coat pocket and fishing out a small bottle. “The perfect size to pass through the airport’s security screening.”

Bae turns Rin’s signature perfume over in his fingers, and I can see the gratitude in his blank expression. He won’t buy it himself because buying it would mean admitting what’s already so obvious.

“You said Elle was wearing her coat?”

I nod.

“If Elle’s not at the hospital any more, she isn’t either.”

“And yet, you’re leaving the country,” I say.

“My halmeoni is sick again.”

“For real this time?” I ask. Bae’s grandmother is the most dramatic grandmother I’ve ever met, and she’s probably my favourite.

Bae sighs. “Who knows? But I’m going anyway. I’ll always go for her.” He tosses me a set of keys. “I need a favour, neighbour. My houseplant requires daily watering until I get back. The housekeeper will handle it once we return to Beaulieu.”

I eye the keys, then the massive plant on the balcony, then him. He knows damn well I don’t have time to water plants, but we both know who has all the time in the world now. Or at least the remainder of the break because once I find Elle, I’ll find her new bestie too.

Jarett, clumsily resting down his beer glass, gets both of our attention. At least he’s upgraded from the bowl.

“He’s progressing, but how does Bart expect you to get answers out of him? He won’t say more than a few words.”

“That’s not our concern. She’ll handle the babying. It’ll be her life’s mission to get him into good shape, and once she does, I’ll get Bart the information he needs.”

Hopefully.

“You’re going to put Elle in that situation with him all over again?” Bae asks, the disappointment evident despite his monotone.

“Who said anything about Elle?”

Elle.

El

L…

Again, Jarett looks up at the name.

A pleased smile cracks Bae’s lips, but as I get to my feet and whistle to Jarett that it’s time to go, Bae’s voice, suddenly so quiet, stops me midway to the door.

“How are you doing it? Not going insane?” he asks, his eyes burrowing into mine with a hopelessness I’ve never seen in them before. “With not knowing where she is?”

“Who says I’m not?”

Who says we’re not?

“I make a lot of tea.” I eye Jarett, who shrinks. “It’s extremely soothing.”

Elle

It’s been seven days since I’d last seen Jaime.

A week since Gant Auclair tried to ruin my life.

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