Page 27 of Hushed

He opened the back of the limo and motioned for her to climb in. The couple climbed in behind her and sat on the opposite seat.

“Gage asked us to stay with you for a little while, but we won’t force that. You can come to our place for the night, or you can go home, and we’ll park a bodyguard outside your door. Just in case.”

Her eyebrows drew together. Gage didn’t say anything about spending the night with them. “Is all that really necessary?”

Patrick shrugged. “I would rather not get on Gage’s bad side, and you seem important to him.”

Kenzie groaned. “I haven’t even seen him in like five years. He calls to check on me once or twice a month and that’s it.”

Patrick held up his hands. “I’m staying out of the relationship stuff and just telling you my perceptions. If you want to go home, we’ll take you. If you’re nervous about it, you can come to our house.”

She looked at her phone and pressed Gage’s contact to call him.

“Did Patrick and Austin find you, sweetheart?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’m with them now. They seem to think you want them to take me to their house. Why?”

“You said yourself that The Cage has your address. And they probably made a copy of your ID. Until I can check the place out and make sure they lose that information, it would make me feel better if you’re not home alone.”

She looked at the couple sitting across from her and closed her eyes. They seemed nice, and Gage clearly trusted them.

“OK. I guess it makes sense.”

“So, you’ll go?”

He sounded so concerned, the answer was an easy one for Kenzie. “Yeah. I’ll go.”

“Good girl.”

She stuck her tongue out at the screen but then pulled the phone to her ear again. “Thanks, Gage. I really appreciate it. I know I’m like your annoying little sister sometimes, but I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t answer the phone.”

She hated the way her voice cracked as she fought back tears.

“Hey. You know you’re nothing like an annoying little sister to me. I’m sorry I haven’t been there more. Get some sleep, little imp. We’ll talk soon, OK?”

She said goodbye and looked at Austin and Patrick. “I guess I’m going home with you.”

Austin clapped her hands. “Yay! We haven’t had company in forever.”

Patrick draped an arm around his wife and kissed her temple. “Don’t force yourself on her, Austin. She might not need any more friends. Besides, you have to be up early. No, all night chats.”

Kenzie laughed. “I always need more friends. The ones I have are… flaky at best.”

Austin grinned at her husband. “See? We’re totally having a sleepover.”

“And if you’re late for breakfast there will be consequences.”

Austin’s face flamed. “Patrick! We have a guest in our car.”

“Who you so rightly pointed out we rescued from a BDSM club.”

Austin shrugged. “Still. She doesn’t know us like that.”

Patrick laughed and kissed her again, then turned to Kenzie. “Sorry. My wife is probably right.”

Kenzie held up her hands, mimicking Patrick from earlier. “I’m staying out of the relationship stuff. Though… I am curious.”

Patrick chuckled. “I’ll let Austin explain whatever she’s comfortable sharing after we get home.”

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