Page 90 of Swept Away

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Negotiating, accepting my rebellion.

“Do you? Are you saying no to us?”

I look at Carter, who witnesses the exchange, emotionless, like we’re discussing the terms of a transaction.

I move my eyes back to Mason, who tilts an eyebrow at me.

“No.”

“Then let’s not talk about it.”

He slides my phone onto the table.

“We need to leave,” he adds. “It’s a two-hour drive, and I want to spend the night over there instead of driving the entire time.”

And just like that, he’s back in control.

GEMMA

I’ve never seena woman happier than Carter’s grandmother.

She doesn’t mind that we’re dropping Gizmo off in the middle of the night–they must’ve talked to her before the fact, as she has everything ready for him.

A brand new bed, pillows, a couple of bowls, cat food, and plenty of snacks.

She lives alone–Carter slips to me as we walk out.

And he thinks I made her day, he also says.

In all fairness, Gizmo seems just as happy as he was at my place.

He loves the woman’s attention and doesn’t mind having a buddy while snoozing on the couch.

We leave Boston half an hour later, heading north.

The farther away we get from the city, the colder it gets.

I packed everything I thought I needed, and then some, even clothes for cold weather, but I don’t mind it.

I like the change of scenery.

Although looking outside, it’s hard not to see how spooky the place is. A full moon makes everything look silver as we follow a road snaking through a thick forest.

I don’t even know where we are, but if I were pressed to describe the place, I’d say it looked like the perfect spot to kill someone and hide the body.

A shudder moves through me at the idea.

I could’ve been home right now. Safe, at peace, not fearing anything.

Yet, here I am.

How much do I know about Mason and Carter?

Aside from pulling that prank on me, which wasn’t nice? And then Carter saying what he was saying about me not being ready?

What the hell was he talking about?

They occupy the front seats and talk about stuff that moves past my ears while I think about everything that happened.

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