“Sadist!” I call after him, but he’s already slammed the door, his patience and temper having clearly reached their limit.
After twenty minutes, I take a shower. I was tempted to take it earlier and ruin the work he did, but Kane read my mind andwarned me that if the color is to be redone, Jill—Nolene, I correct silently—will do the honors.
It feels strange running my hands through hair so short. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had long hair. Anger flares again, hot and bright. I inhale deeply through my nose. Nothing I can do about it now except go with acceptance and try not to let frustration eat away at me.
As I dress, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror. Shock jolts through me. The spunky style takes some getting used to. It’s difficult to judge the color because my hair is still wet.
There’s an impatient rap at the door, Kane’s voice on the other side. “Finished admiring yourself yet?”
I open the door and step out of the bathroom. “There’s nothing to admire about your hack job.”
He offers up a slow grin as his eyes sweep over me. “I hate to run the risk of puffing you up even more, but I believe I’ve uncovered a talent I didn’t know I had.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
“You do it all for me,” he murmurs, almost unwillingly. Swallowing, I keep quiet. He clears his throat. “All right, back to the room.”
I walk ahead of him as he escorts me down the hallway. No sashaying or cocky comments this time. We’re hovering close to something, and I don’t want to do anything to plunge us over the edge.
#
“Your father sent through his media statement yesterday,” Kane says to me when we’re back in my room. “He came through on one of our demands so as a show of good faith you can speak to him briefly to let him know you’re all right.”
Excitement courses through me as he holds his phone up and puts it on speaker.
“Daddy, it’s me,” I announce when my father answers, my voice cracking on theme.
He lets out a sharp intake of air. “Amy! Are you all right? How are they treating you?”
“I’m okay, Dad,” I say gently, interrupting the frantic barrage of questions. “Please don’t worry, I’m okay.”
“I miss you, sweetheart. I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too.” I swallow. “I want to go home.”
“I’m doing everything I can. I want you to trust me on this.”
“I do, Dad.” I look up at Kane, adding defiantly, “I do trust you.”
“All right, that’s enough,” Kane announces.
“Wait!” I cry, but Kane presses the disconnect button and slips the phone into his pocket.
I glare at him. “You are such a—”
“Yeah, I know,” he interrupts in a flat voice. “When you get home, you and Daddy can take turns tearing me apart.”
Unspooling inside me is an almost unbearable pain. I curl into a ball on top of the bed, facing the wall.
“Go away,” I say dully. “Just go away.”
48
KANE
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After leaving Amy, I enter my room to discover Nolene sitting stiffly on my bed, waiting for me. It’s not even eleven in the morning and I’ve already had my fill of drama. There’ll be more drama tomorrow. I arranged to meet up with Justin todiscussThursday’s raid on Werner’s Science and Health University. I anticipate more shouting than discussing since I’m still seething after receiving Justin’s report. But first, I have to deal with Nolene.
