The ride to the convention is about an hour’s drive. Xavier and I are following Philip’s car, while Tobias and Gabriel are keeping pace some ways behind.
Usually, Xavier would be the liveliest part of the trip… but that Xavier disappeared weeks ago, at the start of this operation. I don’t know what this new version of Xavier is thinking.
So imagine my surprise when he breaks the already terse silence in the jeep.
“You and Reuben need to remain focused.”
So he did notice.
Stars, it’s looking like everyone did. The thought makes me cringe inwardly.
“Evie comes first,” I assure him steadily, and there are a few moments of silence as the surroundings pass us by. In four months I’ve come a long way from Portland. I’ve visited a lot of places, been on a cruise ship, fought for my place in the ring—
Now I’m following a serial killer. And maybe even… falling for Reuben. I’m sure these memories will be my sweetest dreams… and the cruellest ghosts that linger in the dark.
Just like the Adler Squad.
“If you’re both just fooling around,” Xavier’s voice is cold, breaking through my thoughts mercilessly, “make sure to do it outside of my operation.”
When I turn my gaze to his, he’s watching me emotionlessly, but somehow, I know it’s a façade.
I know because when I look at him, all I see is a mirror of myself.
“It’ll be over soon, Xavier,” I tell him gently and I can only hope it doesn’t antagonize him further—that it gives him the reassurance he needs to take the edge off.
“We’re going to get him,” I promise.
For a fraction of a second, Xavier’s mask falters, and I notice the self-loathing in his eyes, the darkness hidden away there, that’s etched right onto his heart. It’s gone so quickly, I could convince myself I’d imagined it.
He turns away from me to look out of the window. “What do you like about him?”
I blink. About Reuben? I thought my answer would be hard to find, yet it’s there on the tip of my tongue, surprising even me.
“He sees me,” I confess softly, turning my gaze back to the window, “and even though he sees it all, he still… thinks I’m worth saving.” I didn’t even notice how tightly I’m pressing my hands together.
“I think I’d give him anything… just for that.”
Just like I did for Christian.
I have to make a note to tell Lucia.
Turns out I’m quite… ‘easy.’
“Xavier, we have a problem,” Tobias’ voice reaches the back seat through the speakers of the car, and Xavier and I become alert.
“What’s the matter?” Xavier asks.
“Traffic’s separated us,” Tobias’ displeasure is unmistakable.
“There shouldn’t be traffic at this time of day,” Xavier’s brows tighten.
“No. Something happened on the highway, some kind of accident.”
“It looks bad,” Gabriel pitches in grimly. “It’ll take a while for them to clear it up.”
“We didn’t see or hear anything,” Xavier’s loss of control injects a sharp edge into his voice. “How far behind were you?”
There’s a guilty silence on the other end before Tobias speaks reluctantly, “Some marathon runners were passing by. Police stopped traffic to let them through.”
