Page 156 of Ice Princess

Not if my uncle has his way.

I nod to my truck. “I’ll come with you.”

She holds up a hand. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

The hitch in her voice makes me stop and look down at her.

“This is a little complicated given… I mean… he’s your uncle.”

I step back.

Rebel winces. “I’m not blaming you at all, Gunner. It’s just that April and I probably won’t have any nice things to say right now, and I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. The last thing I want is to put you in an awkward position.”

It’s not thatI’llbe uncomfortable. It’s thatshe’llbe uncomfortable.

I guess Uncle Stewart was right.

In her eyes, I’ll always be a Kinsey.

I take another step back. “Go have your meeting with April and Chance.”

“Gunner…”

“Let me walk you to your car.”

Rebel gnaws on her bottom lip as I escort her to the pink truck.

She sneaks a peek at me. “Are you angry?”

“I’m not angry.”

“You look angry.”

“I’m not.”

“Would you tell me if you were?” She pouts. “You wouldn’t.”

I open the door for her. “Call me if you need me. I’ll come running.”

“I know.” She offers me a sad smile.

After she drives off, I return to my truck and release a weary sigh.

What do I do now?

Uncle Stewart attacked The Pink Garage and he may have another bomb to drop to make sure theystaydown. The situation is quickly getting out of control. How do I put an end to this before it escalates any further?

Lost in my thoughts, I hear a knock on my window.

It’s Rebel.

Her eyes are burning blue jewels in her face and she flaps her hands, indicating that I should lower the window. I do, my gaze wide and questioning.

“I thought you’d left,” I say.

“I came back to tell you something,” she replies, sounding winded.

I brush a lock of her hair away from her cheeks, waiting.

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