Page 29 of Striker’s Rebel

Fuck me.

Her gaze drops to the chair.

“You’re still here.”

“Told you I’d stay.”

“I thought you might eventually realize how ridiculous this was.”

“Nope.”

Her mouth twitches.

Then she remembers. “Eliana?”

“Safe.”

She’s wide awake now.

I get to my feet. “Prospects checked in. House stayed quiet. Nobody went near her.”

Her shoulders loosen.

“And Jamie?”

“Never showed.”

The worry starts to creep back in, so I cut it off.

“Your sister was safe. That’s what matters.”

June watches me for a second, then nods. “Thank you.”

“Quit thanking me.”

“No.”

Of course not.

My eyes catch the bruises on her arm.

They’re darker now.

June notices where I’m looking and pulls at her sleeve.

“Don’t.”

Her eyebrows go up. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t hide it.”

“I’m not hiding it.”

“You just covered it.”

“Because you’re staring like the bruise offended you personally.”

“It did.”