I sigh, staring at the ceiling, praying for patience I know I don’t possess after hearing the usual reply. “Do you all spout shit from the same Elite 101 manual? Because I swear to fucking God, if I hear that or ‘everything we’re doing is to protect you’one more fucking time, I will lose my shit!”
He chuckles. “I can see why my brother’s crazy about you.”
My nostrils flare as I jab my finger at him. “That’s also on the list of statements I never want to hear repeated.”
“It’s the truth.”
I curl into a ball on my side. “I don’t want to hear it.”
The bed dips as he sits down beside me. “Give him a chance to explain, Abby.”
“Why should I?” I bark, rolling onto my side so I’m facing him. “He betrayed me in the worst way.”
“Things are never as they seem.”
I glare at him.
“That’s on your list too?”
“What do you think?”
He chuckles. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for everything you’ve gone through. You were innocent in all this, and you should never have been hurt.”
“I’m used to being hurt. It’s part of normal life for me.” My voice is devoid of all emotion. At this stage, I’m numb to it all.
“That’s horrible, and Kai doesn’t want that for you. It’s why he sent us to get you.”
I raise a palm. “It’s been a long day, Rick. And it will be a long few days if you keep this up. The only person I want to hear an explanation from is Kai, so please. Just. Stop.”
He nods, glancing over his shoulder and I notice his younger brothers standing by the door, quietly listening.
“Joaquin will come with me,” Rick says, leveling me with a serious expression. “Can I trust you not to try anything if I leave you here with Harley?”
“What the hell am I going to do? We’re in some hick town in the middle of Nebraska, and I’ve no car, no cash, no cell, and no clothes besides the ones on my back. It’s not like I have any options,” I lie.
He inspects my face like a drill instructor inspecting a line of new recruits. I hide my true intentions behind a familiar mask, and he nods. “Okay.” He stands, hovering over me like a giant although he’s not as tall as Joaquin who is the tallest of all the Anderson brothers. He’s like a beanpole on steroids with his long, lean frame, wide shoulders, and bulging biceps. “Donotmake me regret this,” Rick says.
I flip him off, and Harley chuckles.
“Behave.” Rick pins warning eyes on Harley.
“Relax, big bro. We’re just going to watch TV and maybe grab some snacks.” Harley looks to me for approval, and I nod.
“Sounds like a plan.” I slant a genuine smile in Harley’s direction, because he’s the only Anderson who hasn’t hurt me.
“We should be back in a couple hours,” Rick says, grabbing Joaquin into a headlock as he hauls ass out of the door. The door slams shut behind them, and silence engulfs the room.
“So, um, what movies do you like?” Harley asks, shuffling nervously on his feet.
“I’m in the mood for something violent and bloody. Mafia or action adventure. I don’t mind. Just something that’ll give me ideas for my reunion with your brother.” I flash him an evil grin, and he laughs uncertainly as he scrolls through the movie options on the TV.
I get up and walk toward him, thrusting my hand out. “I’ll grab some snacks from that store in reception. You got cash?”
His brows knit together, and he purses his lips for a moment. “I’ll get the snacks, and you can pick the movie.”
I yank my sweater up over my head, letting my shirt ride halfway up my stomach. Then I make a show of stretching my arms up over my head, ensuring my shirt pulls tight across my ample chest. “I could use the walk and the fresh air after hours being cooped up in a car.” I slide my hands across my stomach. “I need to exercise to stay fit and healthy for the baby.” I flutter my eyelashes at him, and his cheeks redden.
This will be too easy.
