Page 176 of Bishop

I sense a presence to my left, the close proximity making the fireflies vanish.

A split-second glance determines it’s Geppet before he yanks me in the opposite direction to the dining area.

“Keep quiet,” he murmurs. “Don’t say a word. I think I’m still being watched.”

I press all the right buttons for the perfect response—wide eyes, parted lips, a frantic gaze scanning our surroundings. “Are you sure you’re not being—”

“I said not a fucking word.” He drags me farther down the dimly lit hall and through a staff-only door.

We enter the kitchen, the chefs and kitchen hands all busily marching around stainless-steel benches and cast-iron cooktops. A few of them acknowledge us with a quick glare but seem far too swamped to deal with anyone intruding on their space.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“I parked my car out back. We’ll talk at my dad’s house.”

What? No.

I need to leave out front. Where my brothers will see me. Where it’ll be easier for Bishop to follow.

I cling tight to my clutch and tug my arm from Geppet’s grip. “Slow down. I can’t keep up.”

He meets my gaze, his expression scrutinizing as if he expects me to run in the opposite direction.

“It’s okay.” I jerk my chin, instructing him to keep going. “I’m coming. I just need you to walk a little slower.”

He frowns, and for a second I think he’s going to grab me again. Instead, he turns and pushes through the screen door into the darkened alley.

“Come on.” He waits for me, holding the door open.

“Why do you think you’re being watched?” I shoot a glance over my shoulder, unsure if I’m hopeful one of my spies will follow or panicked at the thought of them blowing my cover.

“I don’t know. Something doesn’t feel right. I just want to get out of here.” He grabs my hand, gently this time, reclaiming my attention. “My truck’s right up there.”

I step into the alley, following his line of sight to the hood of the familiar blue Ram pickup parked on the street ahead.

He moves faster.

I deliberately struggle to keep up. At least physically. The mental sluggishness is completely out of my control. I can’t figure out how to stall him without drawing suspicion.

He guides me to the truck and opens the passenger door. “Get in.” He waits for me to slide inside, then strides around the hood and climbs in the driver’s seat. “Buckle up.”

I do, but it’s not without quickly building apprehension. “Why don’t we go to my hotel instead?” I glance at him in hope. “It’s right around the corner. We wouldn’t even have to drive. I’m sure there’s a staff entrance—”

“I’m not staying in the city.” He starts the ignition. Revs the engine.

“Geppet, I don’t want to go somewhere I’ll be stuck without a car.”

He pulls into traffic and takes off at speed. “You won’t be stuck, baby girl. You’ll have me.”

That hollow resignation takes over again, boring through my limbs, settling in my belly.

I let out a weary breath.

This was what I was going to do in the first place. Meet him alone. Do this without help. The only thing that’s changed is that stupid desire to rely on Bishop. The weak, pathetic reliance I always knew was a liability.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask casually, shutting the thought of any man other than the one beside me entirely from my mind.

There’s only Geppet. Nothing else exists except the need to get information on Tilly.

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