“Because I told you,” I say, going into the bedroom. “I have to get things ready. We need cars, we need?—”
“Multiple cars? Why?”
“Because someone might follow us,” I say, my jaw tight. “And then I need to speak to my friend who is staying in the house?—”
“Where is the house? Is it nice?”
“It’s far away and quiet. Two things I wish you would be,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Does it have a hot tub?”
“OhmyGod,” I say. “Why would it have a hot tub,Gibson? Do you think we’re going on vacation? Would you like some spa treatments, too?”
She holds up her hands. “Sorry, I’m justasking. What should I pack? Is it cold?”
I’m about to lose my temper, and then I realize that’s actually a perfectly fair question.
“Yes, it’ll be cold,” I say. “But pack for both.”
“Both meaning hot and cold?”
“No, both meaning north and south.”
“What does that mean?”
I’m twitching, fully twitching. “I’m being sarcastic.”
“Oh,” she says and grins. She watches me throw the rest of my stuff into a bag. “You don’t want to stay at least until lunch?”
“I don’t want to stay for another minute,” I say. “I’m going to get things ready, I’m going to get laid, and then we’re leaving.”
She claps excitedly. “You have a girlfriend?”
“No,” I say. “I’m getting laid because it’ll be the last time I feel good again until you’re out of my life.”
Her smile fades. “You know what? Maybe I don’t want to go with you. Maybe I’ll just stay right here and take my chances.”
I drop my bag on the bed and close my eyes. Asher used to tell me to count to ten before doing something impulsive, and I never did it because I like doing impulsive things.
But right now, impulsivity means strangling Ella Gibson until her neck snaps.
So, I count to ten. I open my eyes. And then I stalk toward her, slowly, until her back is pressed to the wall.
“You are coming with me, Gibson, whether you like it or not. Asher is my brother, and I will protect what he loved. Your dad cannot protect you, not from these people,” I say,and she looks up at me, less afraid, more curious. “So even if I have to throw you over my shoulder and put you in the trunk, you’re coming with me. Do you understand?”
She blinks up at me. “How big is the trunk?” I open my mouth to yell, and she covers it with her hand. “I’m kidding. Okay, I’ll come. Do me a favor, though?”
“What?”
“Fuck her twice, will you? You’resuperuptight.”
Chapter 27
Ella
“Absolutely not!”
“Dad—”
