“Bailey.” Keller’s voice slices through. “The agent’s close. If Willard tries anything, she’ll be there before you can even blink. Don’t do something stupid.”
I force a breath in. Out. My chest still feels like it’s shrinking around my heart.
“It’s an order,” Keller’s voice is like steel.
“Fine,” I lie. I have no intention to obey.
COLE
Noah wants to be carried.
His balloon bumps against my cheek, squeaking with each step, like it’s trying to send me a message. I crumble under pressure, I want to tell the balloon. Which, frankly, underlines my point.
Willard opens the passenger door with an overly bright smile. “Hop in and I’ll drive you home.”
Something’s wrong. My instincts are screaming. He’s too keen. Why is he so insistent on helping us when he doesn’t even like me?
His hand rests lightly on the door frame, almost blocking me in. My pulse pounds in my ears.
No.The thought slams into me, sharp, but finally — a decision. If I step into that car, Noah steps in too. And once the doors close, there’s no undoing it. No running, no excuses. Just me, strapped into Willard’s world, with Noah in the back seat like leverage.
So no. I won’t step in, and whatever comes next, I’ll find a way to deal with it.
I’m just about to turn around, Noah tightly in my lap, ready to run if need be, when a bright, musical voice cuts through the tension: “Cole Hudson! As I live and breathe!”
A woman I’ve never seen in my life sweeps toward us with the confidence of someone who belongs. She’s all sunny smiles, light Southern drawl, eyes warm and disarming.
“It’s been ages! You don’t remember me, do you? Shame on you! I’m Kate, your… second cousin, from your mama’s side!”
Second cousin? Yeah, right.
She hugs me before I can react, perfume soft and sweet. Her lips barely move when she whispers, “Play along.”
My heart stutters. “Kate! Wow — you… changed your hair.” She laughs, bright and easy, the kind of laugh that melts suspicion. Scatters the dark clouds.
Willard clears his throat, clearly trying to cover his annoyance. “Well, whenever this family reunion’s over, I can give you that ride—”
“Oh, no need!” Kate interrupts, honey-sweet. “I’m more than happy to take Cole and this handsome little fella home. In fact, I was justabout to invite myself over for a cup of tea. We have so much catching up to do.”
“What a great idea!” I say, grinning like that’s something I say every day. I’ve never lied so easily in my life. Noah’s watching us, big eyes trusting, and Willard’s watching too, eyes narrowing, waiting for the smallest crack.
For what feels like forever, his eyes linger on me, sharp and calculating, but finally he nods. “Suit yourself.”
He touches the brim of his hat, steps inside his car and slams the door.
Only when the patrol car disappears from sight do I let myself breathe freely. Kate gently takes Noah’s balloon and smiles.
“Let’s get you two somewhere safe.”
XADEN
I don’t breathe until Keller calls.
I’m pacing the garage, phone in hand. I was already out the door before I stopped to think.
Training kicked in — wait, don’t move, don’t blow the op. But waiting means thinking. And thinking means seeing Cole and Noah in Willard’s car, taillights pulling away.
I picture Noah in the booster seat, kicking his legs, asking a question with that bright little voice. And Cole, trapped, still polite, the way he gets when he’s scared but doesn’t want to show it.
