Page 81 of Reveal

“You sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. I just didn’t know you were still with him is all. After the other night when he was at your house . . . never mind.”

I roll my shoulders at the mention and hate that it only serves to prove he was one of the only people who knew. I look out to the cars in the parking lot, debating whether I should just ask flat out if he said anything or not.

“Is everything all right?” he asks, bringing my attention back to him.

“Everything is fine.”

“You sure? I didn’t hear from you at all the past week.”

I narrow my eyes at him. Did he forget what was happening? “That’s because I wasn’t allowed to see her. Remember?”

“You could have called, though. I would have picked up.” He looks back again to the facility, his hands fidgeting with the jacket in them. “Everything’s all better now?”

“Appears to be. I’m getting to see her, aren’t I?” Something is off here.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. It’s just been a long week.”

“For you and me both.” I pause as he looks back to the office yet again. “Is everything okay with you?”

“Fine.” He takes a step backward. “I need to get back inside.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Vaughn

“Keep your eyes closed,” Ryker instructs as Lucy and I walk over uneven ground.

“This is ridiculous,” I mumble as Lucy giggles, and then I remind myself to see this through the eyes of a curious eight-year-old instead of a woman who isn’t too fond of surprises.

“It really is hard for you to let someone else be in control, isn’t it?” Ryker’s voice heats up my ear. “Relax, Sanders.”

“You’re right.” He is right. But having to cover my eyes with my hands while being led through wherever he’s leading us is downright ridiculous.

“Can we write that down? That I’m right?” His laugh rumbles over my skin as Lucy keens in excitement beside us.

“Funny.”

“Where are we?” I ask as the sound of people laughing in the distance can be heard. Horns honking. Birds chirping.

“I asked you to trust me,” he warns.

And I take heed of the warning, all the while trying not to be a little miffed that he took complete control of my first day with Lucy in a while.

“I had things planned out perfectly fine,” I say, knowing I sound like a brat, but the unknown is unnerving me.

“Up these steps here.”

“Because that’s easy to do when you’re blindfolded.” Another grumble from me.

“It’s like we’re on a secret treasure hunt, Auntie Vaughn,” Lucy says, the excitement in her voice snapping me out of my grumpiness.

“Right, Lucy? Just like that one princess movie,” Ryker says and chuckles because I know damn well he has no idea what he’s talking about.

“Smooth, Lockhart.”

“I try. A few more steps, ladies.”