Page 99 of Stitch
Stitch nodded, but he was still looking at me with those searching eyes, because he could tell I knew something, and I wasn’t sure how long I’d get to keep Elise’s secret.
When I reached Lissa’s door, I tapped on it lightly, and she actually opened it. She was even dressed, which I was surprised about when I found out she was hungover.
“Wow, Ice said you were out cold.”
Lissa grinned. “He also fussed over me with painkillers, and water, and coffee, before he left the room. He’s really sweet like that.” Huh… didn’t sound like the man he showed everyone else. That was actually kinda sweet too.
“I had to get away from them for a bit. Why is it some people can look at you and instantly read the shit you’re trying to hide?”
Lissa fixed me with a look, and raised an eyebrow.
“Oh wow… youarehiding something. Not very well, since you just told me as much. I take it you’re looking to talk to someone who can’t tell anyone what you say?”
I dropped onto their leather sofa and let out a frustrated groan.
“It’s not even like I know much, but I know enough, and it’s going to drive a wedge between me and Stitch, and we’re finally getting to just be us now.”
“Oh! Speaking of, how’s the tattoo doing?”
“It stings a bit. I think I slept on it by accident, because let’s face it, I was pretty wasted.”
She smiled, bringing two glasses of water to the table.
“Water? Really?”
She shrugged, curling up in the armchair with her legs tucked under her.
“I don’t know how long we have before Ice returns, so get talking.”
“You’ve seen how ridiculously overprotective Stitch is with Elise, yeah?”
Lissa giggled. “The whole bulldog grrrr thing where nobody’s allowed to look in her general direction?”
“Exactly! I don’t mind the caveman thing with me, but he needs to let her live herown life. She’s twenty-one, dammit.”
Lissa raised her eyebrows.
“And?”
I groaned. “Promise this stays confidential?”
At her glare, I held up a hand.
“Fine, sorry. Okay… it’s just that I know she has a thing for one of the bikers, and it seems the feeling is completely mutual. It’s actually pretty adorable. She’s mad about him, and he’s trying to keep her at arm’s length because of who she is. Last night, I caught them kissing, and honestly, I think he’s plenty good enough for her, but you know Stitch won’t see it that way.”
Lissa looked worried, and who could blame her, right? The shit could really hit the fan when he found out, and let’s be honest, at some point he would obviously find out.
“It’s one of the good ones, right? I mean, you don’t have to tell me who, but it’s not Torch, right? Or Micro? They’re both pretty twisted, not that they’re alone in that, but I definitely don’t think she could handle either of them.”
I shook my head. “Trust me, I’d be worried if it was either of them. Micro is a mouthy bastard, and apparently voted against me and Ally being old ladies. Torch kinda scares me, but he’s only ever been friendly to me.”
“Micro voted against you? What the hell for?” I shrugged, wondering why the hell someone who didn’t even know me would vote against me. It bugged me more than it should.
Stitch
“She’s hiding something, brother.”
Reacher wasn’t wrong.
