It’s very considerate while simultaneously a little weird.
“These are perfect,” I murmur. “I appreciate it, Landon. Now if they’ll let me shower. But maybe I’ll wait and take one when I get home and have all my stuff.”
There’s a weird silence before Landon says, “Allora, you can’t go home.”
“The doctor said?—”
“I don’t mean you can’t leave the hospital. You just can’t go to your actual residence.”
“What? Why not?”
“They know where you live and you’ve seen their faces.”
The meaning of his words starts to sink in. We talked about this, I think, but I don’t remember many details.
And I forgot all about those parts of the conversation.
“Where am I supposed to go?” I demand, sinking back on the bed and holding the bag of clothes protectively against my chest.
“That’s what we need to talk about.”
Chapter Seven
Landon
By the look on her face, there’s no doubt in my mind that Allora is going to resist anything we suggest. We talked about it last night but she was obviously too out of it to have paid much attention, and I feel a twinge of guilt. We should have been gentler in bringing this up again but it’s too late now.
Luckily, we have a little time.
“We’re all supposed to meet at Shadow Security’s headquarters. Your dad will be there too, and we’ll come up with a plan.”
“I have to go home to pack some of my essentials, my camera equipment, and Cleocatra.”
Cleopatra? I have no idea what she’s talking about and wonder if there are lingering effects from the drugs they gave her.
“Who?” I ask slowly.
She chuckles. “My cat. CleoCATra.”
Now I get it and smile back. “Is she mysterious and queen-like?”
“You have no idea. I’m sure her food dispenser has kept her fed while I’ve been gone, but she can’t be alone much longer. So, wherever I go, she comes too.”
“The Shadow Security apartments and safe houses aren’t finished yet,” Elliott says. “I mean, you could camp out in the main area but it wouldn’t be comfortable or give you any privacy.”
“What about a hotel?” I suggest. “Maybe in L.A.?”
She doesn’t respond, her expression inscrutable as we talk.
“You need to lay low until we figure this out,” I add gently, meeting her gaze steadily. “If this is the kind of trafficking ring we think it is, they’re not going to allow any loose ends.”
I watch her swallow nervously before she lifts her chin and shakes her head. “I’mnotgoing to spend my life in hiding.
“Of course not. Just until we catch these fuckers.”
“I have a life. A job. Bills to pay.”
“You can’t do those things if you’re dead,” Rage says quietly.
