And people.
I didn’t notice them before, but now I feel the curious stares. I wonder how many people live here.
How manyshiftersI’m surrounded by.
Nope, pretty sure I don’t want to know the answer to that. But I do need to ask the question I’d started to voice before... well, before whateverthatwas. “What will it take for you to trust me?” Arse, that wasn’t what I’d meant to ask, but maybe it should’ve been.
Lynx’s eyes widen, like I’ve surprised him, then he laughs. Fuckinglaughsas though I’ve said something hilarious. He sobers almost as quickly and leans in so close his breath hits my mouth. “I willnevertrust a human.”
I stare at him, stunned into silence. There’s a wealth of emotion in that sentence, and I’m not convinced it’s all because of me, but it doesn’t matter either way. The implication is glaringly obvious. It takes me a couple of goes to find my voice again. “Then you’re never going to let me leave, are you?” Because if he doesn’t trust me to keep their secret, then I’m as good as dead anyway.
And just like that, all the fight drains out of me.
There’s an old picnic table on the grass, and I make my way over on autopilot. The wooden bench seat creaks when I slump onto it, but it holds. It’s another beautiful day, the sun hot on my face, but I’m so cold inside, I shiver.
“Morgan?”
I watch as he walks towards me, but I don’t answer.
Can’t.
What’s the fucking point anyway?
“Morgan?” his voice turns softer, warmer. He crouches in front of me, one hand on my knee, the other cradling my jaw as he draws my chin up so our gazes lock. Bright blue eyes search my face, fuck knows what for, though.
“You said I need to convince you that I won’t tell anyone about all of this.” I wave a hand, encompassing the house and the trees. “But how the hell am I supposed to do that if you’re never going to trust me?” I shrug. “Might as well just get it over with and kill me now.”
Is he tempted?
He’s so fucking hard to read, I have no idea.
His grip on my jaw tightens, and my pulse kicks up. Slowly, he tilts my head to the side, exposing my throat. Then he leans in and my heart fuckingstops.
Hours seem to pass between beats as he ever so slowly skims his nose over skin so sensitive, a shudder runs through me.
I feel him inhale.
Hear the low, pained noise he makes... and then he’s gone.
I blink and he’s already put a few feet between us.
“Come on,” he orders, looking anywhere but at me now.
Irritation fills me. What the fuck just happened? The mental whiplash is insane, and if Lynx himself doesn’t kill me,itjust might. “So we’re avoiding it?” I stand, scowling. “Fine.”
He turns and stalks across the compound, and I have no choice but to follow, pissed off and glaring daggers at the back of his head.
But I guess it beats apathy.
We walk in silence towards a large barn-type building at the far edge of the compound. At least that’s what it looks like from the side, but when we reach the front, the doors are wide open, revealing the interior of a garage.
A few bikes are parked outside, one of which I recognise. I smile, relieved it’s in one piece.
Before I can make my way over to it, Lynx turns abruptly. “They know who you are,” he says so quietly, I have to strain to hear. “But don’t talk about what Nico told you. That’s not pack business.”
Of course he knows about that. I bet Flint told him. I’d been wondering whether to bring that up or not. I guess he’s made my decision for me. “Ok. But I have questions.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m sure you do.”
