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“Do you?”

Keaton’s sigh said he didn’t appreciate my playing him at his own game. “It’s important. There’s somewhere I need to be, and I’d prefer not to travel in the opposite direction.”

“And which direction would that be?”

“South.”

I offered him my brightest and breeziest smile. “Well, aren’t you the lucky one? It’s south we need to go.”

He didn’t return my smile. “How far from here?”

“Not far.” In truth, I was still working out where I was going to take him. Somewhere deserted. Somewhere far enough away we’d need to camp for the night. And then while he was asleep, I’d strike. There were a few possibilities, but they all had their pros and cons, mainly to do with the number of biters in those parts. I wanted the ring. I did not, however, intend to take on a horde of biters to get it.

We were almost at the gate when a woman stepped into my path. I recognized her as the blonde, curly-haired woman from the night before who’d bought two suppressants. I automatically stiffened, relaxing only when I saw the smile on her face. “I wanted to catch you before you left, Tobias.” She bit her lip coquettishly. “Can I call you Tobias? Is that too familiar? Should I be calling you Mr. Breeze?”

“Tobias is fine,” I assured her with a wink. “Mr. Breeze has me looking around for my father.”

She giggled in a way that clearly signposted how attractive she found me. Oh, sweetheart, I wanted to tell her. You don’t have nearly enough cock to satisfy me. I didn’t say it, returning her smile and letting her take hold of my hands while Keaton stood like a statue next to us. “I just wanted to thank you,” she said.

“For?”

“For bringing your secrets to us. I realize it can’t have been an easy decision to betray your place of work. And not everyone would have the moral backbone to do as you’ve done.”

“Betrayal is a strong word.”

“You’ll be in trouble, though, if they find out, right?”

If they existed. “I would.”

“Well, there you go, then. You’re a brave man.”

“I am,” I agreed. “You’re quite right, and I appreciate you saying so.”

She finally let go of my hands, her body language screaming her reluctance. “Well,” she said, not seeming to know what to do with her hands now she had them back in her possession. “I just wanted to tell you that when you return, you don’t need to stay at a guesthouse. That is… what I’m trying to say…” She gave an embarrassed little laugh. “You can stay with me, if you want.” She finished her little speech with a wave of her hand that said, “there I’ve said it.”

A beat passed. “Do you have a spare room?”

She had pale skin, making the rush of color that seeped into her cheeks and stretched all the way to her hairline that much more visible. “We… I… No, but…”

“It’s a sweet offer,” I said, saving her from having to lay things on the line. “And when I come back here, I’ll bear it in mind.”

She seemed to notice Keaton’s presence for the first time, a small furrow appearing on her brow. “Who’s your friend?”

“Not a friend,” I said quickly. A glance his way showed the immediate rejection of any relationship between us didn’t particularly impress him. If only he knew I was saving him from being lynched once people realized what I’d done.

“Keaton Levine,” he said.

She nodded, but didn’t seem inclined to say anything else.

“Well,” I said with a smile. “We have places to be, I’m afraid.” I turned on my heel and walked off, trusting Keaton would follow.

“Mindy.”

The word shouted after me made little sense. I paused to look back over my shoulder.

“My name,” she said, the blush growing more intense. “Mindy Walker.”

“Mindy,” I said, bringing my hand to my head and doffing an invisible cap. “Until next time…”