Page 37 of Treasured By Them
Shit, they were coming here early for a sexy rendezvous. I’ve ruined their plans. Well, they ruined my plans to be alone and think, so I guess we’re even.
Caleb looks ready to grab his gun again. “Why were you creeping around the side of the house?”
“Caleb, chill.” I shake my head at him.
“Looking for a spare key.” Malcolm smiles. “Craig said it was under a plant pot, but I couldn’t find it. Probably because you already grabbed it, Danica.”
“No, it should be there.” Alarmed, I move around the edge of the house and lift the usual pot. There’s the key, right where it belongs.
“We hadn’t checked that one yet.” Zora’s face is pale and she looks shaken. “Your, um, bodyguard shouted at us before we reached it.”
“I’m so sorry about that.” I flash another irritated glare at Caleb. He could’ve shot my friends by accident. This is not acceptable. “Seriously, Caleb, you can go.”
His brown eyes look troubled. “If you’re sure…I don’t want Edmund to be pissed at me.”
He must be really scared of Edmund. I probably would be, too, if he threatened me with a knife.
I try to sound patient, even though I just want Caleb and his gun gone, away from my cabin. “He specifically said you’d stay until family arrived. Family has arrived.”
“All right. If you say so.” Caleb nods at Malcolm and Zora before heading back around the house. A minute later, I hear his car start up and drive away.
Malcolm and Zora stare at me. The only sound is faint birdsong and the lapping of the water against the dock.
“Sweetie.” Zora’s voice is soft. “We’re going to need a big explanation. What do you mean things were ‘iffy’ in San Esteban?”
I nod, resigned. I can’t tell them everything, but I can share a little. “Let’s go inside and get some drinks.”
“It’s a bit early for alcohol,” Malcolm says.
“Trust me.” I sigh. “We’re going to need them.”
Zora shudders. “I might need two, after seeing that gun aimed at us.”
I feel terrible—that should’ve never happened. Is this what my life is going to be now? Danger around every corner? Guns being aimed at my friends and me? This isn’t the kind of life I want. I want to go back to the boring life where I worked at an ice cream parlor and my biggest worry was whether my best friend and brother were going to start ignoring me now that they’re in a relationship.
As we go into the cabin, Malcolm walks unevenly, favoring his right leg.
“Hey, you’re limping.” I open the fridge and pull out three beers. “What happened?”
“Eh, I pushed too hard during a run at Blackberry Park yesterday.” He uncaps his beer and clinks it against Zora’s and mine. “But don’t think you can change the subject that easily, Miss Danica. What’s the situation in San Esteban that earned you a personal bodyguard?”
“Have a seat. It’s a long story.”
Edmund
Troy and I find our cop associate, Sam Grinnote, shooting hoops at the park near his house. The morning is sunny and warm. Perfect day, really. A senior couple jogs laps around the dirt track, but otherwise the park is empty. This park must not be a popular one.
Grinnote sees us coming and scowls, but quickly replaces the scowl with a friendly smile. He lifts the bottom of his baggy tank top to wipe sweat from his face. “Layton. Manchester. How’s it going?”
“Not great, to be honest. Do you know why?”
“Uh, no.” He studies the surface of his basketball like it might hold the answers.
“How about you tell me exactly what SEPD is doing about the Vorsong presence in San Esteban.” My voice is casual, but inside, I’m seething. Tate Vorsong felt comfortable enough to step into Aseyev territory and assault Danica.
Unacceptable.
“Well…” Grinnote dribbles the ball, likely buying time to think up a response that won’t piss me off. “The force is pretty busy at the moment.”
