Page 52 of Saving Sophia

My throat tightened. I shrunk in my seat, desperate to escape the glare and the question behind it.

“Easy, Griff. She’s had a rough time.” Ethan’s face, etched with concern, only made things worse. I took another sip because I had no idea what my mouth might say if I didn’t keep it busy.

“How the fuck should we know who it is?” Callie saved me by snapping at him. “And even if we did, why do we have to tell you?”

“Because Sophia was attacked, and your place has been broken into twice.” Griff’s eyes were daggers aimed at Callie. “And I don’t believe in coincidence.”

“You should. It hates me.”

Oh no, did that come out of my mouth? My tongue felt numb, but it definitely sounded like my voice. My tummy started to churn unpleasantly.

“Sophia.” Griff’s gaze lost its sharpness and his tone softened. “I know you’re scared. And maybe not telling us everything.”

“Griff just wants to make sure you’re safe.” Ethan rolled his thumbs along my knuckles. “We all do.”

“What else do you want her to say?” Callie snapped. “You’re acting like this is her fault. She’s the victim here, right Soap?” She turned to me, her face full of loyalty. Totally misguided loyalty.

I froze in fear for what my muddled mouth might say. The jig was up. The lie clear as Sharpie on my face. I opened my mouth. “I …”

“Sophia?” Ethan’s voice was warm, kind, unsuspecting.

Honesty is crucial, the number one rule.

How could I tell him he brought a liar home to Aunt Carol?

“I …” The restaurant began to tilt and spin. Everyone at the table’s eyes were on me.

My heart squeezed out a single beat, and my tummy churned again, more urgently. My eyes flicked down the aisle to the vintage signs at one end of the hall—over one door a man on a unicycle wearing a top hat, over the other a woman wearing a long Victorian dress holding a parasol.

“I … gotta go. Excuse me.” I shoved out of the booth and left the table.

* * *

ETHAN

I stared after her as she retreated to the bathroom.

Her secret bubbled close to the surface, and she was fighting to keep it from spilling out of her. I could see it, no matter how hard she fought to keep it down.

Griff stood up. “I’m going to gather some more intel and start working on the system upgrade. Keep your girl close. Try to get her to open up.” He pointed a finger at Callie, who was fishing in the fondue pot for a potato. “You. Do not leave the resort till we know what we’re dealing with.”

Callie let out a snort that stopped Griff in his tracks. “Uh, no, but fuck you for trying.” She patted Rook’s shoulder and gave him a wink. “I may stay for a while though.”

I tried not to smirk. Very few people talked to Griff like that.

He glared at her, hard. “Not up for discussion.”

“Look, buddy,” Callie snapped back at him. “I don’t know what authority you think you have, but you’ve been misinf?—”

Griff walked away leaving her stunned and blinking rapidly. “Wow,” she muttered. “That guy has issues.”

Griff had that effect on people.

“Well, I guess that’s dinner,” Rook said after an awkward silence, patting the table and standing up. “Shame. The chocolate’s my favorite part.”

“Is there a cabin ready for Callie?” I glanced down to the bathroom again, worry tugging at me.

“Yeah.” Rook pulled his keys from his pocket. “I got another one functional since you told me she was coming. And in case your couch wasn’t comfy.” He smirked. “The hot tub even works at this one.”

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