Page 37 of Hidden

Still, she was conflicted. She’d already arranged for Edith to pick her up a full ninety minutes before Peter was supposed to get her. Could she invent a reason for needing to work late? Go to the party and then slip back in before he got there? It was risky. Better to cancel dinner plans and make an excuse to be out all night.

She picked up her phone and punched his name with her thumb.

“Stop calling me. Texting is better.” He skipped the hello altogether.

“Sorry. Listen, some crazy stuff is happening in the news world and it looks like I’ll be at the office super late helping with some of the evening news productions. We’re staying on the air late. I think I’ll crash here tonight.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Carrie made a face and silently mimicked him, annoyed with his overprotective nature.

“Work is work. You’re welcome to camp out here after you get done, but I can’t let you back in the newsroom while we’re all working.” That part was a lie, but he didn’t need to know that. “Besides, it’s perfectly safe. There’s overnight security.”

He hesitated for a moment, and she crossed her fingers. “OK. But you have to check in with me at least once, so I know you’re safe. And do not leave that building.”

“I’m a big girl, Peter. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The call ended, and Carrie grinned. It probably wasn’t good to be proud of being a good liar. Now she just had to wait for Edith, and she could escape.

At twenty after six, Edith called to say she was pulling up out front.

Carrie practically ran for the exit. A huge grin spread across her face when she spotted Edith’s tiny sports car.

“I’ve been at work since before six this morning. Get me the hell out of here.” She buckled up and let her head fall back against the seat.

Edith’s laugh filled the car as she pulled into traffic.

“We missed you at my house last time. I’m glad you’re coming to Gage’s with me after all this time.”

Carrie clapped her hands together. “I’m excited. My work clothes aren’t really party attire, but it will still be fun.”

Edith rolled her eyes. “Nobody gives a damn what you wear. And knowing you, you’ll wind up naked and strapped to a cross before the night is over, anyway.”

The drive took close to forty-five minutes, but the two women talked the entire way, and it passed in no time. As they arrived at Gage’s, Carrie’s eyes bugged. The house was sprawling, and there were only a few other houses in sight, with tons of space between them. The large privacy fence around the backyard would keep everyone hidden. Did they play outdoors? The prospect excited her. Blowing Peter off had been a great idea.

Gage opened the door in jeans and a cowboy hat. Dog tags dangled around his neck, and his bare chest glistened with sweat. Carrie grinned. “Hi, Gage.”

“Ladies, come in.” He made a sweeping motion with his arm. “Carrie, it’s about time you came to my house. You going to let me torture you later?”

Carrie shrugged and winked. “It’s good to be here. Have you been working out?”

“We were moving a suspension frame to the backyard since the weather is nice.”

Carrie’s eyes lit up. “That sounds fun.”

They stepped inside the house, which was well decorated in a way that she wouldn’t have expected of a soldier from Texas. It was early, so there were only a couple of other people, but one of them was already in just her underwear.

When Gage walked past the scantily clad girl, he fisted his hand into her hair and pulled her along with him. The girl giggled the entire way down the hall as they disappeared into a room.

One of her favorite activities at these parties was sitting in a corner watching all the people arrive, so she found a couch and settled in.

Dinner with Peter might have been interesting, but there wasn’t much that could beat a night like this. Hanging out with her tribe would rejuvenate her in ways that sleep or caffeine couldn’t.

When Gage came sauntering back down the hall, he had another man with him she didn’t recognize.

“Hey Carrie, I want you to meet Reggie.”

Carrie stood and smiled at the man who was clearly a top and offered her hand.

---