Page 44 of Dark Soul

“Right. Still confidential. The guys shouldn’t be talking about it.”

“You won’t tell anyone, will you?”

“Of course not,” Alexia said. She looked like she was about to say something else when Dark interrupted.

“Let me get some shoes on and I’ll take you home, Alexia.”

She nodded quickly. “Yes. Thank you. It was good to meet all of you.”

“You too, Alexia. Any friend of Dark’s is our friend,” Rogue said easily.

In the car, Alexia turned to look at him. “Are you guys like famous, or something? Should I recognize you?”

Dark shook his head. “Not famous. Actors are famous. Directors are famous. We’re … mainly invisible, and we like it that way.”

She nodded. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course,” he said. Inside, he hoped it wouldn’t be something that forced him to lie to her again.

“Is Ash the friend you mentioned was in trouble?”

Dark hadn’t expected that. He kept his eyes on the road.

“Why do you ask?”

“The way you stared at him when I shook his hand. As if he was... as if there was some kind of bad blood between you.” She gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. “I’m making things up, aren’t I?”

She was more intuitive than he’d given her credit for.

“Not at all. You’re right. Ash and I … he did something I can’t condone, and it’s been hard for me to find a way forward with him.”

“I hope you’ll find it,” Alexia said quietly.

“Me too,” he said.

Me too.

And there was so much he wanted to say to her, but of course he couldn’t share any meaningful truth.

They’d only just gone past the telecabine when she asked him to stop.

“I’m not going to drop you off here in the middle of the night, Alexia.”

“It’s okay. There’s a path from here heading straight up into the house.” She shrugged gently. “I don’t want to have to explain myself to the security team, alright?”

Dark had to acquiesce. It’s not like he wanted to be seen by Kvyat’s security team, either.

“I’ll wave to you from the top of the steps.”

“And you’ll send me a message when you’re inside.”

“Yes, Dad,” she said, but she was smiling.

“I’m up for that if that’s your kink, baby,” he said, watching the blush spread from her neck all the way up her cheeks.

“What? No!”

“Just kidding,” he said, giving her a quick peck on the lips. “But don’t forget to send me that message.”