Page 103 of Unmask
His mouth brushed against mine. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes,” I murmured.
His lips captured mine, the taste of chocolate lingering as his tongue slipped into my mouth, mingling with mine. This could be our last kiss for days. Weeks. Months. Years. Hell, it could very well be our last kiss ever.
We both deserved for it to be fucking memorable, not that Kreed would remember much, but I’d never forget this moment.
I guided him to the bed, my hands on his waist as he swayed slightly on his feet. He lowered himself onto the mattress with the careful movements of someone fighting against heavy limbs, but he didn’t go alone. His hands attached to my waist before I could pull away, his fingers digging into the soft material of my shirt, and I ended up landing half on top of him in a tangle of limbs.
“This is better,” he whispered, his nose buried into my hair, his arm slung protectively over me.
Fuck. Better for who?
I had to untangle myself from him or risk rousing him when it was time for me to leave. I couldn’t give him the chance to stop me, but it was so damn tempting to curl against him and close my eyes. I stared at him, a silent tear streaking down my cheek.
Please don’t hate me. I don’t have a choice.
Within minutes, the only sounds in the room were his soft breathing and the howling of wind beating against the windows. Lifting his arm to the side, I pulled the blanket up over him and held my breath, waiting to see if he would remain asleep.I think I’m in love with you,I mouthed, needing to say the words at least once even if he never heard them.
This was it.
The house was quiet. The boys were down. The clock had started ticking.
As gently as I could, I climbed out of bed, sparing one last glimpse at Kreed.You better find me, or I’ll never forgive you. For real this time.I’ll be waiting for you.
I crouched at the side of the bed, fishing out the burner I stashed there. The phone’s screen glared in the darkness, the single message still stamped across the screen. I reread it one more time, not because I didn’t know the words but because I needed to look at something other than the trembling of my hands.
If things went sideways… If they found it while I was gone, they’d follow but not in time to stop me. I needed a head start. Just enough to get in and get Kenny out.
This had to be my choice.
My risk.
I had twenty-five minutes. Just enough time to slip out of the house unnoticed and do the one thing I swore I would: get my best friend back. Even if it meant I never saw them again. Even if it meant never seeing Kreed again.
Carefully placing the burner on the pillow where my head had lain minutes ago, I moved quietly to the stairwell, each creak of the wood a thunderous boom in my ears, but no one stirred. The house had fallen into a deep hush. I stood at the top of the stairs, watching the darkened hallway stretch before me. Down below, the soft hush of firelight still danced in the living room, casting golden shadows into the hall.
They were still out. Asleep.
I waited another beat.
Still nothing.
Clutching the hoodie around me, I passed through the kitchen, the warmth from earlier already faded. I avoided thefamily room entirely. There was no way I was risking stepping too close even if they were all out like lights. I already had one miracle.
Two would be pushing it.
I slipped through the back door, letting it close behind me with the softest click.
22
KAYLOR
The night air hit me like a slap, cold and biting, but it snapped my nerves into place. I ran across the lawn, my heart in my throat, wind nipping through the sleeves of my hoodie. Through the yard, around the gate, and straight into the trees where Carson’s BMW was already idling near the road, headlights off, taillights glowing faint red in the dark.
I climbed into the passenger seat and shut the door quietly behind me, rubbing my hands together to chase the cold that went deeper than the icy temps created by fear and adrenaline.
Carson didn’t say anything at first. He gave me a sidelong look, dark-blue eyes narrowing, like he wanted to ask questions he knew he wouldn’t like the answers to. But, to his credit, he kept his mouth shut, but his eyes said a thousand words. He was still pissed at me, yet he showed up for me when I asked.
