Page 50 of Blindsided
I pretend to consider this. “Sometimes when I’m sleeping. But even then, I’m probably dreaming about it.”
As we reach the door, she pauses, placing a hand on my arm. “Kane?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you. For checking on me.”
Something warm unfurls in my chest at her words. “Anytime, Airplane Girl.”
We rejoin the others, who are deep in discussion about the best route to the castle. Declan barely acknowledges our return, too focused on his map to look up.
“We should reach the castle by nightfall if we leave now,” he’s saying. “Rory knows the back roads that will keep us away from any potential surveillance.”
“Surveillance?” Kori whispers to me. “Is he serious?”
“Unfortunately,” I murmured back. “Welcome to the paranoid world of the MacGallans.”
“So, we’re definitely going to this dragon castle place?” I ask the table at large.
Declan finally looks up. “Yes. Unless you have a better suggestion?”
I don’t, and he knows it. “Fine. But we stay together, and at the first sign of trouble, we leave. All of us.” I glance at Kori. “But first, I need to take Kori back to Wavecrest.”
“Why?” Declan demands.
“Because she needs to pick up something if she’s coming with us,” I say, deciding without consulting her.
“What is it?” Declan bites out. “Can’t she just stop at a store and buy whatever it is?”
“It’s her inhaler.”
She looks surprised that I remembered, but nods in agreement.
Declan sighs dramatically. “Fine. But we’re on a tight schedule. One hour detour, max.”
As everyone gathers their things, Kori slips me a side glance. “I wasn’t expecting an abandoned castle near the border,” she murmurs, voice low but steady.
“I know,” I replied. “But after that call with Mark, I’d feel better if you weren’t alone.”
She studies me for a moment. “Are you deciding what’s best for me now?” Her tone isn’t harsh, just careful.
My chest tightens. “No—I just don’t want you on your own right now.”
She exhales softly. “I came to Tara because you asked me to. I trust you, Kane, but I’m not sure I’mready for a full-on family treasure hunt.”
I nod, embarrassed. “I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have assumed you’d jump right in.”
Her shoulders relax a little. “Thank you. I really appreciate you looking out for me, but I need to make my own call on this.”
“I understand,” I say. “What would feel right to you?”
She hesitates, glancing down as she fiddles with her jacket zipper. “I’ll go back for my inhaler. After that…” She draws a slow breath. “Then I’ll decide.”
“That sounds fair,” I agree, relief washing over me. “Deal.”
We head toward the cars, and Declan falls in beside me. “You sure bringing her along is wise?”
I shrug. “Maybe not.”
