Page 64 of Known By You
“I mean, you’re not wrong,” Winnie agreed.
“No, you have a fair point. It would be rather concerning, especially if you knew it was all happening.” Dove, a petite blonde woman I’d interacted with the least thus far, snuggled into her spot on the couch, her robin’s egg blue dress fluffed out over her legs.
“Okay, but we’ve had multiple kidnappings here. I mean literallytwo of ushave been kidnapped. By that logic, shouldn’t we all be running for the hills?” Jo asked, laughing despite being one of the women who’d been kidnapped.
Catherine tilted her head from side to side like she was thinking about it.
“But that’s not Silverton’s fault. There were perfectly logical explanations for each of those instances,” Elise said, holding her wine glass up, toasting us all before drinking deep.
“And those are…” Nikki prompted.
Elise waved a hand. “Men.”
I chuckled and Dove full out snort-laughed while everyone else maintained a little more composure. Jess pressed her hands to her stomach, bracing, even though I could hardly see any belly yet.
“No, I’m serious. Literally men. Like, Bruce’s sister was kidnapped by her busted-ass druggy dad. Winnie was kidnapped by, my sincerest apologies—” Elise dipped her head deferentially to Winnie, who nodded back “—her hair-brained brother’s debt collectors. And Jo was kidnapped by a crazed fan, also a man. Not a uniquely Silverton problem.” She threw her hands up. “This is why we choose the bear.”
“As someone whose husband is named Beast, I’d like to lightly object to this line of thought.”
Jess had been fairly quiet tonight, but I could tell everyone was glad to have her there. I knew her a bit better than the others since I’d worked with her team in the past when she was still with the EMU.
“Just because you didn’t get kidnapped doesn’t mean it’s not still a pretty glaring issue. Now that I think about it, maybe itisa Silverton thing. I’m about to pack up and getout.” Elise slumped back in her seat.
There was something going on there, but I didn’t have enough context to know what. There were a few significant looks exchanged, but then Dove jumped in.
“Yes, but it was also men—sometimes with the help of women, of course, but sometimes not—who rescued each of them. You just have to properly vet them.”
Winnie grinned.
Nikki chuckled, but blushed.
Jo smiled widely. “Well, you’re not wrong there.”
Catherine giggled, clearly along for the ride in the whole conversation. She’d said the least, but she seemed fully engaged still and used to watching the show.
“And how do we make sure we get a good one?” This came from Elise.
“I’d highly recommend getting a Saint Security man,” Winnie said quietly.
Nikki laughed and touched glasses with Winnie, then Jo.
Jess held up her glass of iced water. “As a Saint Security woman, I endorse this message.”
We all laughed then, and Dove sighed wistfully.
“Got your eye on someone there, Dove?” Jess patted her shoulder.
Her cheeks pinked prettily, but she rolled her eyes. “You know me. Ever hopeful and yet tragically doomed to a life of not only being single, but not even dating.”
“I think if you wanted, you could probably crook your finger and about ten guys would come running,” Jo said.
“It’s true. You’re adorable,” Elise encouraged.
Dove groaned. “Yes, everyone’s dream is to beadorable.”
“What about you, Elizabeth?” Winnie asked, her big eyes blinking back with innocence.
Or at least, she surelookedinnocent. But, the question felt loaded.
