I stiffen. He doesn’t have the right to ask questions. I don’t ask him how he knows Margot is my sister.
“Uh, she’s leaving.”
He nods, glancing at the suitcase and bags piled outside the bedroom. “When?”
“Right now, actually. Margot,” I call to her. “You should get the kids ready. I’ll call a cab.” I’ll have to use my almost maxed credit card to pay for it. As soon as the ten thousand I’ve earned hits my account, I’ll use some of it to get out of here and find a way to get the rest to Margot and my aunt.
I pull out my phone, but it’s dead.
“I’ll do it,” Jaeger announces. “And let me help you with the bags.”
“No,” I protest. I struggle to my feet, but he takes my shoulder and gently pushes me back down. I crumple under his stormy stare. I can’t fight him, and I don’t know why I would when it hurts to stand.
“What’s wrong with her ankle?” Margot has less of a deer-in-the-headlights look now. She brushes her hair behind her ear, blinking up at Jaeger. She’s not flirting; she’s just using her looks to her advantage. It usually works—even tired with limp hair and dark circles under her eyes, she’s cat-walk-model stunning.
But Jaeger doesn’t seem to notice.
“She hurt it last night,” Jaeger answers for me. I don’t know why they’re talking over my head when I’m right here.
My sister’s stare sharpens. “You were with her last night?”
“We don’t have time for this,” I interrupt. I don’t want her to know the details of how I earned the cash, and we don’t havetime. The thugs could be here any minute. “You have to get the kids out.”
“Right.” Margot hustles, getting the kid’s sticky faces and hands cleaned up and bundling them into clothes. Jaeger picks up her suitcase and the few extra bags she’s managed to pack. Janie gets her own tiny backpack. Tyson sucks on the matted fur of his favorite teddy.
I fight tears, holding open my arms to give them kisses and a final farewell.
I recite my Aunt Carol’s address until Margot memorizes it. “Don’t write it down,” I tell her. “And don’t call me. They might be able to track it.” From the corner of my eye, I sense Jaeger’s attention focused on me. So far, he’s been quiet and gone with the flow, but any second, he might speak up and start asking questions. And I don’t know what he’ll do next.
He’s a wild card in this mess. I don’t like it. I want to know why he came back, but again, I have a whole list of problems, and his appearance doesn’t even crack the top ten.
“Don’t use your cards, either. Pay cash for everything so you don’t leave a trail. I’ll send you more cash as soon as I can,” I promise.
Margot nods and leans down to give me a hug. It’s surprising because she’s not usually the hugging type. It makes more sense when she whispers in my ear, “Are you sure you’re okay?” I’m sure she’s wondering why a huge, tattooed Fraternitas thug is bringing me donuts.
“Positive.” I plaster a big ole fake smile on my face and push her away. “Think of this as a vacation.”
She stands, still looking unconvinced.
“Go,” I urge with everything in me.
Her mouth snaps shut, and she steers the kids away. “Come on, everybody. We’re going on an adventure.” Her voice ischeery and bright in a way that tells me she’s a second away from snapping.
I scoot to the edge of the couch, wanting to go walk her to the stairs, but Jaeger places a hand on my shoulder again. “Stay.”
Heat flushes my face. It’s anger, I tell myself. Not a reaction to his touch. “I’m not a dog,” I snap.
He quirks a blond brow and touches his thumb to my lips. Just like that, my body melts into a puddle. My body quivers. My breasts swell. I’m ready for him to take me right here, right now.
Worse, he knows it.
“Stay,” he repeats and heads out behind my sister. He leaves the door open.
I guess he’s planning on coming back. I fall back on the couch and rub my face. Things are happening too quickly, but at least I won’t worry about the kids. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to them.
They’ll all be safe. They have to be. Now, I just have to figure out how to survive.
On top of that, I have to find out what Jaeger is doing here. Why can’t life be simple?
