Page 37 of Dawn Caravan
“When?”
She cocked her head. “You don’t remember?”
“No.” He really didn’t remember.
Wait…
You’re lovely.
Yes, he did.
“You’re lovely. Lovable. …don’t kill anyone, okay?”
She pushed against him, starting to dance again. “Ben?”
His body moved with hers whether he wanted it or not. He wasn’t dancing with her. It wasn’t him, it was the memory of what they had been. The same memory that made his throat thick with emotion.
She pulled his head down. “Whatever you may wish to think, we are not finished, my Benjamin.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“I will not. Blood does not lie.”
The song ended and Ben pulled away, keeping her hand firmly in his. “We need to get back and we need to be on the same page. You’re leaving Bucharest; I’ll make excuses to Radu.”
“Are you listening to me? None of this is right. That’s why I’m here, and I’m not leaving.” She wore a placid smile as they made their way back to the lounge. “I will make no excuses to Radu. If you want me gone, you’ll have to tell him everything.”
His caution recoiled at the thought. “I hate you so much right now.”
“If you think your hate will prevent me from doing what it takes to keep you safe, then you do not understand me at all.”
“You’re right.” He opened the door. “I don’t understand you at all.”
“Liar.” She held her hands out to Radu as they approached the booth. “Thank you for excusing us. It has been some time since we have been able to speak in private.”
Ben slid next to Chloe as Radu rose to let Tenzin into her seat. “Tenzin wanted me to tell you about the Corsican lead first. We’re quite optimistic.”
Radu looked between them. “So you are officially accepting this job?”
“Of course. You’ve presented us with an irresistible challenge.” Tenzin turned her smile toward Ben. “We’re both quite intrigued by the possibilities.”
* * *
Gavin and Chloewaited until they’d entered the soundproof car before they started on the questions.
“Oh my God!” Chloe was nearly shouting. “What was that? What is going on? I feel so lost right now!”
“The atmosphere was…” Gavin cleared his throat. “…noticeable.”
Ben stared into the sky where Tenzin had already disappeared. “Hopefully Radu thinks it was just repressed sexual tension or something.”
“Oh, it was definitely repressed sexual tension,” Chloe said. “Holy shit. I have to admit, I was still kind of wondering if you two had slept together before tonight—”
“I wasn’t sure either.” Gavin looked at Chloe. “They have.”
“Theydefinitelyhave.” Chloe leaned back into the seat of the sedan. “Why is she here? How does she know Radu—because he definitely knows her—why is she here?”
Ben cut his eyes toward Chloe and Gavin. “She didn’t tell you she was coming?”
