“I can cook when I need to,” I say, keeping my answer vague.
Alex lean forward and eyes at me with interest. “Do you enjoy it? It’d be nice to have someone else around that doesn’t hate it.”
I stifle a grimace. This is getting too personal. I don’t need to know about their hobbies or how domesticated they are. Just like they don’t need to know that about me.
I shrug and focus my attention on my food. “I’m indifferent to it.”
Alex frowns and drops his shoulders in disappointment as Theo flashes me a knowing look. No one tries to restart the conversation, much to my relief, and I finish my food in silence. After cleaning the pot, I fill it with water and wait for it to boil. The guys do the same and by the time our clothes are dry, we’re ready to hit the road.
“Remember what I said,” Rhys warns as he pushes past me while I finish packing my bag.
“It’s been less than two hours. I haven’t forgotten,” I say with a roll of my eyes as I hike the bag onto my back.
His jaw clenches and I can tell that he wants to say more, but doesn’t. Instead, he stalks away to pack his own bag while muttering something under his breath. I can’t help but smirk. I get under his skin as much as he does mine. Good, the ungrateful asshole deserves it after getting mad at me for saving his life.
I feed Harlow some scraps and let her eat while I tack up and ready Bean for the next leg of the journey. By the time the guys finish packing, I’m mounted and ready to go.
“We have about three hours of sunlight, so two and a half hours of walking and I expect to cover five miles in that time with one water break halfway,” Rhys says, taking charge like he always does. “Then we’ll needto find a suitable place to spend the night. Keep alert. I don’t want to run into a horde like that again.”
I stifle a shudder as I think back to watching that horde pour out from under the bridge and toward us. Or how they surrounded Theo and Rhys to the point they had no escape and were seconds from death. I’m going to have nightmares about that for a while.
Because that’s just what I need; more reasons to struggle to sleep at night.
“Alright, let’s move out.” Rhys strides off and we follow, the mood a little more sombre than it was when we set out this morning.
After hours of walking,we find a place to stay for the night; a small cottage that sits on the side of the motorway.
My panic has lingered in the back of my mind all day, just waiting for my guard to lower before pouncing. As I set up my little sleeping area, I know tonight is going to be rough. Harlow knows too, because she sticks to me like glue. Because of that, I barely speak a word to keep my mind focused on not freaking the fuck out in front of the guys.
After eating dinner, Theo scowls and grumbles something to Alex, who’s wearing the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen. I glance between them in with a furrowed brow as I stroke Harlow’s head. What’s that all about?
My confusion deepens when Theo pulls out what looks like a small guitar from his pack and turns to Alex. “Alright, mate, what’s the song going to be?” he asks with a sigh.
Alex’s grin turns downright wicked as he stares at his friend. “How about we start withLet It Go?”
Theo gives the giant a long suffering look before adjusting the small guitar in his hands and beginning the song.
“Don’t forget to sing,” Alex says, his eyes lit up with glee.
Even Rhys looks amused as he watches from the other side of the room. His muscular form leans back against the brick wall, his arms resting on his bent knees while his rifle lies beside him. It’s the most relaxed I’ve seen him.
Theo glares at Alex but does as he’s told, singing the lyrics toLet It Go. My jaw drops as his deep, husky voice fills the room and echoes almost hauntingly off the walls. Holy fuck, can this guysing. I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s not that. What else do these men have hidden up their sleeves?
Nope. Got to keep your distance, remember?
I sit and enjoy Theo’s voice while trying to convince myself that this means nothing. They’re just acquaintances that are helping me get my brother back. That’s all.
The song ends and Alex immediately requests another song; another Disney song, much to Theo’s annoyance. But he doesn’t protest, no matter how miserable he looks as he plays the new song. With that one over, another Disney song is requested.
“Is that all you’re going to ask for? Disney songs?” I ask before he starts the third song.
“Yes,” Alex says, shooting Theo a smug smile. “That’s all he’s going to play for the next week.”
Theo groans and hangs his head. “Stupid fucking bet,” he mumbles, before adjusting his grip on his instrument.
I cock an eyebrow. “Bet? What bet?” I glance between the men. Rhys looks as intrigued as I do, so he wasn’t in on whatever these two idiots cooked up.
Alex grins at Theo. “Should I tell her, or are you going to?”
