Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 135958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
She was the one to shrug now. “I don’t know. It depends on Levi, on where he is.”
“You can’t get ahold of him?”
“I couldn’t before you guys showed up, and now Kai took my phone. He gave me a computer that doesn’t have wifi. When Tanner or Jonah call, the guard gives me the phone and stands there. I’m only allowed to speak into it, that’s it.”
That was a bit much, but Kai had said he wanted to use Levi. He was his way into the Barnes family. I wasn’t even going to try to guess at what he was planning.
Unease crept down my back.
“Can I ask you something?”
I nodded, surprised. “Sure.”
“Are you sleeping with Kai?”
My mouth went dry. I stared at her.
“I mean, you can tell me to piss off. I violated our trust, and he’s the one who’s been watching out for you since school, but are you?”
“Why are you asking?”
“Because I like you. We were friends once.”
I flinched. That’s what she thought of me? A week ago, I was ready to go down with guns blazing for her. I’d been too loyal. I had put too much stock in our old friendship, and I felt more than a little bit stupid.
“I thought we still were,” I countered.
“Of course. I mean, you know, if I still have your friendship. I lied to you. I used you. I get it. Jonah would hold it against me for years if I did that to him.”
I grinned. “Not Tanner?”
She snorted. “Fuck no. Tanner’d just critique my lies, maybe say what I did was shitty. I’d have to do more than run away to piss off Tanner.”
“And Kai?”
“And Kai.” She took a breath, sadness coming over her face. “Kai will love me no matter what, but he’s never trusted me. Kai doesn’t trust anyone. He grew up being molded the way our father wanted him to be. Cord got some freedom. Tanner, me, Jonah—we were all given our roles to play in the family, but it wasn’t anything to do with the business. But Kai’s role was to take over. When Cord turned eighteen, I think my dad realized everyone was looking at him to take over. Kai was sixteen when Cord died. He was supposed to be groomed for another two years.”
She shook her head again. “Kai won’t even ask me about Levi. He knows why I ran away, but I’m back with the family, and that’s it. Once he thinks I won’t run again, he’ll drop all the extra safeguards, but until then, I’m in a luxurious prison.” She gave me a wry smile. “He’s even shipping in Tanner to entertain me.”
“Really?”
“Jonah’s coming too, but more to check on you. I’ve no doubt he’ll want to go back to his hospital once you’re cleared. I’ve not seen Kai since.” She gestured out the door. “I know he calls in quite a bit. The guards keep poking their heads in, asking about you.”
Speaking of which, Eric entered the room, a phone in his hand. “He’d like to speak to Riley,” he said.
Brooke nodded, staying put.
“In private,” he added.
“Oh!” She got up, shooting me a quick grin before turning to him. “If you wanted some alone time with me, you just needed to ask. You don’t have to be all coy, making up a lie to get me out of the room.”
A faint flush came to his cheeks, and he coughed. “Ma’am—”
“Ma’am! Ha.” She slapped his bicep, moving past him. “You slay me, Eric. Come on.” She gestured to me. “Give her the phone so they can have phone sex, and maybe you and I could do the real thing?” She winked, reaching behind her to shove open the door and step out.
He stayed put a second, not making eye contact. Then with a jerk, he handed me the phone. “Sorry, ma’am. Just set it aside when you’re done. I’ll be outside.”
He practically shoved the phone at me and bolted for the door.
I raised the phone to my ear, but as soon as he was out the door, I heard Eric shouting, “CODE PURPLE. CODE PURPLE.”
“What’s happening?” Kai said in my ear.
“I think Brooke made a run for it. I’m hearing code purple.”
He started laughing. “She won’t get far. She hates the outdoors, but that’s not important. How are you?”
How was I?
I sighed, not even wanting to ask myself that question.
“What?”
“Huh?” I asked.
“You sighed. What were you thinking?”
I did? And then I laughed. “We sound like a couple. The old ‘what are you thinking’ question.”
Aaaand, silence.
Things just got awkward.
Why’d I say that? What was the point?
I glanced down, and started to pick at my blanket. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Why did you?”
He didn’t sound upset, just curious.
I shrugged, though he couldn’t see me. Pressing the phone tighter to my ear, I leaned back on the bed, my head finding the pillow.