Page 14 of Wanted
I shrugged. I’d heard of such practices, but I couldn’t do anything about that. I was locked up in a car with a stranger that I’d told my deepest secrets. “Where are we going?”
Completely ignoring my question, Fylox kept driving. The road was empty, tedious, and somebody should consider demolishing it. I doubted this was what Americans called highways.
“Do you think I could sneak a message to Mandy Rawlins?” She could get a message to my brother.
“No, you can’t unless you want Spencer Rawlins or Aram Wraith to track you down and drag you right back to that country you love so much,” he snapped at me. His fingers gripped the steering wheel tight for a moment. For one second, he let the beast out. The next second, it had vanished.
“What’s wrong?” I cleared my throat. “I know you hate me, but there’s something else, isn’t there? You seem to be a very calm person, usually.”
“Jordan has gone dark.”
I asked, “What does that mean?”
“It means something is off, and I need to protect you and his son.” He rubbed the back of his neck. His arms were proof that he was a fighter, but this wasn’t the time to gawk.
“What about your family?” I couldn’t resist the question. Maia Callie had made an impression on me yesterday. “I told you to leave me. I’ll find a way. Take me back to Chicago.”
“My father is protecting my family. Besides, this isn’t about me. This is about you, and Jordan’s orders are what they are.” And that was the last thing he said until we entered Indianapolis two hours later.
This city was smaller in scale. I didn’t see much of it. As soon as we entered, we took another boring route towards open land. I reveled in the green scenery, opening up my window to breathe some fresh air.
When Fylox slowed down, there were very few houses nearby, and all of them had a generous amount of distance between them. Fylox drove into a small house’s driveway, parking the car in the garage.
The house looked neat from outside, tall trees protecting it from curious eyes. He parked the car, and this time, he didn’t open my door. That left me cold, but it was fine. I was Kamila Ruby Wraith. I didn’t have doors opened. I trashed them down and trampled all over them.
What is this, sweetie? You’re not drinking again, are you? Please. Talk to me. What’s the matter with you? I just want to help.
With his duffel bag and keys in hand, Fylox and I approached the house.
He entered a code at the door, and then he turned the key. There was a beep, and then we entered the house. The first thing I noticed was the cleanliness of the hallway. No dirt to be detected anywhere, but it was dark and tighter than the airy white hallway in Chicago.
Fylox took the lead, and I followed him into another room. The man I’d previously watched from afar sat back on the sofa with eyes focused on the silent television. He was studying a game. He turned it off when he noticed us approaching. Fylox and who I assumed was Alex, didn’t hug like Maia Callie and Fylox. They had their own handshake.
I was briefly introduced as if I was a side character. Fylox turned away, storming off with his duffel bag in hand. I studied Jordan’s son. No sleeves on his light t-shirt, but a symbol graced his chest, something about the city of Indianapolis with a basketball attached to it. His sweats were grey and hazardous to look at. Why were all men wearing sweatpants around me these days?
But Kamila didn’t bite. She didn’t embarrass herself like that; there were other forms of embarrassment for me. My pussy had suffered enough for a lifetime. Out here in America, we were playing it safe. Teamwork would get us somewhere safe without complications of the sexual kind.
While I never glimpsed at Jordan’s hair because he hid it under beanies or durags, a word he taught me, his son’s hair was fresh and out in the open for me to explore. Of course, touching people’s hair is inappropriate, so I scanned the deep brown fade on his head with my eyes only. Jordan and his son’s facial structures were similar. Jordan’s eyes were darker than the sea-green of his son’s eyes, but they were hazel. Strong jaw, wide nose, and thick lips that I could have the fun of my life with if I wasn’t so intrigued by the moody guy in the other room. His smile was contagious, and his eyes paid attention to your every detail. I was used to being looked at, but Alex spoiled me with his attention.
You should smile more often. Princesses smile. You’re happy, aren’t you? We’ve given you everything you need.
“Are you sick of him yet?” Alex asked, gesturing for me to take a seat on the sofa with him. If Fylox’s voice was deep and dangerous, Alex’s had this smooth tone to him. He’d make a great teacher, all calm and seductive like he didn’t need to try for anything in his life. Like it all came naturally to him. Seeing his father watch him play, I knew it hadn’t come easy. Observing him play and having him live in front of me, I acknowledged how much hard work he put into his lifestyle. People didn’t just wake up and jump as high as this guy did on the court the other day. I didn’t know much about sports, but I knew he was a fine athletic man.
And that smile of his; I felt at ease just taking it in. It made me feel like it would all be okay, and I needed that.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not sick of him, but I think he is of me.”
“That’s just his usual self. Don’t take it personally.” He added, “Do you want something to drink? You seem exhausted.”
I hadn’t done anything spectacular to appear exhausted. I exhaled. “Some water would be good, thanks.”
When Alex brought me the water, I gulped it down at once like I hadn’t drunk in days, not ashamed about it at all.
“Dad says you’re a princess,” Alex commented.Daddy has a new crown for you. It’s Katantia’s fiftieth anniversary, sweetie. You and your brothers will be center stage. I’m so proud of you I could cry.
I gulped down my tears because Alex didn’t deserve them so early in our acquaintance. “Your dad says you’re the next big thing.”
“Oh, I’m already big.” The smirk he gave me made me chuckle.
