While Hailey’s a natural hugger, her enthusiasm contagious, Bianca stands there, stiffer than a board, clearly uncomfortable with affection... figures.
“Ready when you are,” she says, stepping out of Hailey’s embrace sooner than her younger sister would like, I’m sure.
“You’re riding in the back,” I tell Arthur, holding the passenger door open for Bianca.
Rule number one of keeping someone safe is never letting them out of sight. While I’d have eyes on Bianca if she sat in the back, I’m bending the rules for my own benefit.
She might be far from my type in terms of personality, but her sweet scent isn’t something I can deny myself.
Hailey waves from the main entrance before the guard there orders her back inside where she’s safe.
I start the engine, falling short of pulling away when Bianca’s dramatic arrival last night echoes inside my head.
“Show me your arm.”
She cocks her dark brow, glancing at her long-sleeved, baby-blue sweater. “Excuse me?”
“Your arm. The one the cab driver grabbed. Show me.”
Her posture stiffens, combat-ready in a flash. “You think you can order me around? Think again.” And much quieter, like she’s talking to herself, she adds, “I bet Koby wouldn’t be such an ass.”
A silent tantrum ensues inside my head, jealousy flaring behind my ribs and lighting my fuse.
“We need to trust each other if you’re supposed to keep me safe, right?” she continues, unaware how mentioning Koby affects me. “My arm’s fine. No bruises.”
“Did I saytell meorshow me?” I spit out. “I don’t need your trust. I need your survival instincts and those will kick in when required. Now, either you show me your bruise-less arm or the cab driver’s losing ten fingers.”
Her lips part, surprise sparkling in her eyes. Had I not spent weeks flicking through her pictures, this would be the first time I’d have noticed the little gold flecks in her left iris.
“You’re not as tame as you come across, are you?” She yanks the sleeve of her jumper just shy of hard enough to tear it off. “There. Not one bruise. Happy? I’m tougher than I look.”
That one line coupled with the rebellious look on her face acts like a bucket of cold water over my head.
Sheistough and I fucking hateit.
Jealousy hisses out of me like air from a punctured lung.
“I noticed,” I grit out, twisting her arm left and right, checking from every angle. Once I’m happy there’s not a mark on her, I let go. Too bad the tingling in my fingertips doesn’t stop. “Thank you. Next time, don’t argue.”
Another scoff leaves her lips and she ostentatiously turns away, admiring the view outside the window. We’re still parked outside Carter’s house, so there’s nothing to see, but she scans the brickwork with such intent you’d think she’s an architect.
How can a girl be so titillating yet so infuriating?
Keeping her safe will be torture, I can tell.
***
For the first part of the ride, Arthur tried lightening the mood with conversation, but after grumbled replies from moody Bianca, he dropped the act and busied himself with his phone.
It’s amazing how long a girl can stew before exploding. Almost the whole ride to Cleveland crawls by before she turns my way, opening those full, kissable lips to spit out venom.
“If you think I’ll do as you say anytime you bark at me, think again. I don’t react well to being bossed around.”
I noticed.
“Duly noted. My job is keeping you alive. We can either argue every step of the way, or you agree not to be difficult, and we ignore each other unless things go sideways.”
She chews her bottom lip, eyes narrowed. With an exasperated sigh, she gives me a curt nod. “Deal.”
