Erik
Knocking pulls me out of sleep on the couch. I blink and take in the room.
The girl. Christianna.
She’s curled into the oversized chair, blanket pulled up, dark hair spilling over her shoulder.
I scrub a hand over my face and head for the door.
Remy stands there when I open it, Meg just behind him.
He strides in without waiting for an invitation. Meg hesitates in the doorway.
He stops short when he notices the slight figure in the chair.
“She’s here,” he says, glancing back toward Meg.
I move to the counter and slide a pod into the coffee maker.
Meg steps inside. “Why is she here?”
I turn, arms crossed, leaning back against the counter.
“She woke up in the middle of the night and got locked out,” I say easily. Dismissive on purpose.
I catch the way Christianna goes still.
So she’s awake. Just deciding when to make herself known.
I let the coffee brew and wait.
Remy’s eyes track me, calculating. He knows how hard it is for me to break my focus, and this shouldn’t be possible.
He crosses to the counter, grabs the freshly brewed coffee, and takes a long sip as he drops onto the couch. “Thanks.”
Christianna blinks awake. “Meg, you’re here,” she murmurs, stretching and faking a yawn. “Good. I didn’t want to wake you, but I really need a shower. Let’s head back.”
She glances at me as she stands.
“Thank you,” she says quietly. “I’ll return the blanket after I get changed.”
Remy doesn’t look away from her. Not once.
Under the weight of his stare, color creeps into her cheeks.
“Meg,” he says, voice low and even. “Give Christianna your spare key. I’ll walk her back in a minute. I have a few questions.”
Meg hesitates. Christianna meets her gaze.
Christianna slowly lowers herself back into the chair she just left.
Meg takes a step toward her.
Remy turns his head. Just that. No words.
Whatever Meg sees on his face stops her cold. She gives Christianna a small, apologetic wave and backs out of the room, pulling the door closed behind her.
He can be a scary bastard when he wants to be.
