"She's pretty," he observed, trying to gauge Cade's reaction.
"Never thought about it," Cade said casually.
"Oh, come on. You must have noticed."
Cade didn't respond.
"Are you two just friends? I mean, you seem close," Tristan prodded, curious about their relationship.
"Yeah, we're just friends."
"So you two don't have a history?"
"You're fucking nosy as hell, you know that?"
Smirking, Tristan admitted, "Yeah. I know. It comes with the job."
Cade scoffed and made a move, refusing to meet Tristan's steady gaze.
"So, do you? Have a history?"
"Why do you care? Do you want to date her or something?"
"Who me? No. I'm gay."
Cade's eyes darted up, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion. "Then why do you care if we have a history?"
"Just curious."
"Let it go. It's annoying."
Tristan bristled at the remark, but for once, kept his mouth shut. He managed to avoid any personal questions for the rest of the night.
But it was difficult.
After several games, Cade had clearly developed some skills and strategies, and by the time they closed the board for the night, he was winning almost as often as Tristan.
When they were both too tired to continue, Tristan suggested, "We should discuss the sleeping arrangements."
"Take the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa."
"But your feet hang over the edge. I fit on the sofa better."
"Take the bed, Tristan." Cade's tone warned him not to argue.
"Fine." Tristan rose and headed toward the bedroom area but then turned back. "Thank you again, for helping me."
"I told you …"
"I know it's your code," Tristan interrupted. "But still. Thank you."
Cade nodded and turned away, ending the conversation.
When they were both settled in for the night, Tristan lay in the darkness, restless and unable to ward off the same disturbing thoughts that had plagued him since Natalie had been taken.
It occurred to him in one breath-stopping moment that she could be dead. It was unimaginable that his bubbly, sassy little sister, always animated and full of life, could be lying somewhere, cold, unmoving, lifeless. What if she died, alone and terrified?
The unbearable idea persisted until he repeatedly echoed Cade's words, that the girls were kept locally, then sold. What was done to them during that time was most likely horrific, but at least it gave him hope she was alive.
