Kennedy’s whole body jolts with tension, and I recoil. It’s on instinct, and I hate that it’s my instinct, but thankfully, Kennedy doesn’t notice because he’s back staring at the house. “Jesus fucking Christ, do you want me to get killed?”
He looks like he’s about to bolt, so I grab him before he can. I know why he’s spooked, and I don’t blame him. Lynx showed up where they were working a month ago and scared the shit out of them. Wilde got in the way, protecting Hudson, and it all went downhill from there. Lynx ended up slashing up Wilde with his knife, Bob attacked Wilde for threatening Lynx … and Kennedy was there to witness the whole thing.
I give him my best pleading eyes.
“Ziggy …”
I yank on his arm more aggressively this time.
“I want to trust you, but that’s a big ask after what that psycho did.”
He’s making an excellent point that I unfortunately can’t argue with without words. Why do I have to be so damn at war with myself? I hang my head back toward the sky, keeping a firm grip on his arm, and give him a small, needy tug. Take pity on me,please.
Some of the tension drains from him. “Don’t get me killed.”
I quickly catch his eye, trying to pour all the promises I can into our eye contact. Get him killed? I would never. I’m no fighter, but I’d take on Lynx for him if I had to. Thankfully, Iwon’t have to since even Lynx isn’t reckless enough to attack again.
“I trust you,” he says.
And that makes me hopeful in a way I’ve never been before. All I want is to lean in and kiss him on the cheek in thanks, but my pounding heart refuses.
So I step back and gesture at him to follow me, then lead the way to the containers.
There are only two keys to get into the batteries, and they belong to me and Wilde. He has a basic understanding of how it all works, but it’s my baby. I put it together and am constantly tinkering and updating when I can. It’s expensive, but Wilde never has issues getting me what I need.
When I click open the padlock and pull aside the heavy door, Kennedy’s suitably impressed.
“What the hell is this?”
I point to the closest solar battery as Kennedy passes me and walks inside.
“Hudson mentioned you guys had electricity, but this is …” His head is shaking as he looks around at it all. “Wait a minute … didyoudo all this?”
I confirm it, and his jaw drops further.
“This is incredible. I don’t understand most of it, but to put this together doesn’t look easy.”
It’s not, and I sort of like that he knows that.
“How long did it take you? Weeks?”
I shake my head.
“Months?”
Not even close. When I wrinkle my nose, his awe fills his face.
“Years? Fuck me, Ziggy, you are one clever guy.”
Unfortunately, my mind is stuck on thefuck me, Ziggypart of what he said instead of the compliment. It takes me a moment to work out that he’s still talking.
“Do you think we could set up something like this? To get electricity on at the town?”
That’s the entire plan.
He bounces closer and grabs my face in both hands. “You’re a genius.” He gives me a little shake in his excitement. Then, before I know it, his arm is around my shoulders, and he’s got me pulled in close to his side.
I choke on air.
