“Have I ever given you guys a reason not to trust me?” I asked.
“One,” Dante said.
I moved away from the man and held up my finger.
“Nu uh,” Mav said as he stalked toward me, “that wasn’t the deal.”
I shook my head. “They aren’t on board yet. We’re still in trouble. Just give me a second.”
“Who are you talking to!?” Dad bellowed.
I put them on speakerphone and held it out for the guys to hear. “Have I ever given you guys a reason not to trust me? Answer the question!”
“No,” they said in unison.
“Then, trust me now. I’m safe. I’m more than safe, actually, and until this is resolved, I have to stay off the radar. For my own good. For the good of my students. For the good of you guys. If I step out and people think I’m her, I’m dead. That’s how bad she is. So, please, just do what I ask. For my sake, okay?”
Axton reached for the phone, but I pulled it away.
“Okay!?” I yelped.
“Okay, okay,” Dad said.
“We’ve got it,” Mom said.
“I love you guys,” I said before I hung up the phone.
Then I tossed it to Dante, and he booked it for the sink. “That was stupid of you.”
Mav simply shook his head as he raked his hands through his hair. “For all we know that call was being traced.”
“Chances are, not likely,” Axton said, staring me down.
I looked up into his brooding brown gaze. “Thank you.”
He shrugged. “Least I can do. But now, we’ve got to get to work. Make yourself at home.”
Dante scoffed from the sink. “We’re just going to leave her here?”
Axton lumbered out of the kitchen. “No, idiot. Get the patrols out. You know, do your job. And Mav?”
The cheeky man stared me down with a devilish smile. “Make sure she feels at home? I can do that.”
Axton came over and placed his hand on Mav’s shoulder. “No hinky shit, got it? Doc’s on his way, and he’ll be here in a few minutes to look her over.”
Mav tossed me a playful wink, and a shiver worked its way down my spine.
“No promises, boss man.”
“Great,” Axton murmured as he turned and left the kitchen.
Leaving me with so many more questions than answers.
10
BRIELLE
“Doc?” I asked when Axton and Dante finally left the room.
