Aero reached his hand out. “Can I take your bag?”
“They’re together, I take it?” I mused, handing my backpack over.
“In the truck, Raquel.”
I rolled my eyes and climbed in, securing my seatbelt and pulling my phone out, sending Orion a quick text. Not that I expected a response.
My brother had given the okay to remove my left bandage, as that hand was healing the fastest, so I was able to do a few things, although, not easily since it wasn’t my dominant hand. At least I could text now. It made things much easier.
“Can you take me to the Hilton, please?”
“No,” Aero said.
“Why not?”
“Got orders to get you back to the cabin.”
“Orion’s not even there,” I argued. “I’d like to spend the evening with my mother.”
“No can-do, sweetheart.”
My phone buzzed just as I was about to go crazy banshee on him. It was my mom, so I answered. “Hi, Mom. Were your ears burning?”
“Gary’s dead.”
“What?” I whispered.
“It was on the news.”
“This soon?”
“The editor-in-chief of the Denver Chronicle just happens to live in your uncle’s building.”
“Convenient,” I murmured.
“I need you here, honey.”
Aero shook his head.
“Can you come to the cabin instead?”
“I don’t really fit in with those people.”
“Mama, don’t be difficult. I’ll come and pick you up.”
Aero scowled and I muted my phone, letting my mom continue to argue one-sided.
“I’m not letting her Uber,” I said.
“Jesus, Raquel, Orion’s gonna have my head if I deviate from the plan.”
“And I’ll have yours if you don’t. Pick which one of us you’re more afraid of, but understand that if anything happens to my mother because you chose to leave her stranded, I will cut your dick off and choke you with it.”
“Raquel, are you still there?” Mom asked.
Aero raised an eyebrow as I unmuted my phone, and smiled when he flipped a U-turn. “I’m here, Mom. I’m coming to get you. Please pack an overnight bag.”
“Raquel—”
