Page 71 of Fallen Flame

“I’m just supposed to be scooping ice cream.” I held up a finger. “I did not have almost getting kidnapped on my bingo card.”

A few laughs bounced around the room.

Wrecker looked at Alice again.

Alice immediately lifted both hands. “I know!”

He just kept looking.

She shrugged. “Maybe we’re distantly related.” She pointed at me. “I don’t know.”

I blinked. “...Related to who?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Oliver said quietly behind me.

Ever patted my leg. “It’ll make sense later.”

I threw both hands into the air. “I have been in a constant state of confusion since coming here.” More laughter at what felt like was my expense. “I swear everyone knows things except me.”

“Pretty much,” Arlo answered.

“Helpful,” I muttered.

Wrecker waited until everyone settled again. “Keep your heads on a swivel.” His tone turned serious. “Nobody goes anywhere alone.” His eyes landed on the guys. “You know the drill.” Everyone nodded. “They made one move.” He rested both hands on the table. “They’ll make another, so be ready.”

With that, the meeting was over.

Chairs scraped against the floor as everyone stood.

Alice clapped her hands together. “Enough doom and gloom.” She looked toward the door. “I’m making Meg tacos tonight.”

A chorus of cheers answered her.

“The meat’s been marinating for two days,” she continued.

Now everyone looked even happier.

I raised one finger into the air. “Adding Meg tacos to the list of things that confuse me.”

Ever bumped my shoulder. “I don’t know that one either.”

Jude leaned down and kissed Ever’s cheek. “Meg’s from the Devil’s Knights.” He smiled. “She’s one hell of a cook and gave Alice the recipe to her killer tacos.” He looked at me. “You two are in for a treat tonight.”

Ever nodded, completely satisfied. “Oh. See? That makes sense.”

I wasn’t nearly as convinced.

As everyone filtered out of the room, I mentally started making a list.

Cameras. Why did everyone think Alice and I were somehow alike? Meg tacos. The Devil’s Knights. Whatever else I’d undoubtedly forgotten in the last hour.

I glanced back at Oliver. Yeah, he had a lot of explaining to do.

And if I had anything to say about it, neither one of us was going to bed tonight until every single one of my questions had been answered.

Chapter Seventeen

Oliver