Page 26 of Wolf Cursed
Isaac came walking out of the grocery store, arms laden with paper bags. I hurried to unlock the car and open the trunk for him.
“Thanks,” I said when he’d set them all inside.
“Of course, gorgeous.”
“We’ll follow you back,” Idrissa called, sliding into the driver’s seat of the mustang and starting the engine.
“See you there,” I said as Isaac blew me a kiss and jogged over to where his sister waited. The moment he hopped inside, she peeled out and disappeared onto the main road.
I stared in shock at the crazy way she’d driven off then finally turned to my own borrowed car and got inside. Much slower than the twins, I left the parking lot and headed back to Oscar’s. If my kidnapping-slash-tour of the town meant riding with them, I wasn’t sure I wanted it anymore.
By the time I walked inside the front office of Oscar’s shop—or Throttle, as Idrissa had called it—the twins were already inside, talking to Oscar, who stood behind the counter with his mug in hand. His expression was strained and a little thoughtful at whatever they’d been discussing. When they saw me, they all fell silent.
I set the two bags of groceries on the counter and looked between them all, trying to read their faces.
“Everything okay?” I asked warily.
“Peachy,” Isaac announced. “Oh, I’ll get the rest of those.” He slipped out before I could argue.
“I’ll help,” Idrissa said, heading for the door. “Gender roles and all that.” She rolled her eyes and followed her brother out.
I turned to Oscar. “I met them at the store,” I said by way of explanation.
“They want to take you for a drive,” he said.
“Yeah, I think they want to interrogate me for gossip.”
Oscar frowned.
“I don’t have to go,” I began.
“No, I think it’s actually a good idea. The Close twins are good kids.” He snorted. “Better than some others anyway. Just stay with them. No venturing off alone, especially today, all right?”
“Sure.”
“And be back by dark.”
“I thought it was noon.”
“If you’re with them, you can be out until dark. But only if you stay together and do what they say.”
What the hell was with this guy? Did he really mean to treat me like a child?
I lifted an eyebrow. “Look, I know it’s your house, your rules, but I am an adult.”
“Just for tonight,” he added in a clipped voice. “It’s not safe.”
I wanted to ask what the hell that meant, but the door opened and the twins returned with the rest of the groceries.
“I’ll get these put away,” Oscar said. “You go on.”
“Thanks.” I handed him back his debit card with a pointed look. “Feel free to check your account and the receipt.”
His lips quirked. “I’m good. Oh, here. I found this.” He held out a phone charger. And my very dead cell phone. “So I can reach you.”
“Thanks.”
I gave him my number, and then Idrissa was practically pulling me out the door.
