Page 158 of Hell and High Water

Not that I would expect her to, given the situation, but it’s so horrifically out of character and unsettling to be around her and not be verbally assaulted.

Pulling onto our street, she finally sits up, wiping her eyes. “I need to get to the rendezvous point.”

“Not tonight, you don’t,” Gavin rumbles softly. “I called it in over the shortwave. They know you’re with us.”

“And you’re absolutely staying with us tonight,” I assure her, pulling her closer again.

The flicker of a sad smile that curls her lip is heartbreaking, but it loosens the knot in my chest just a hair. My biggest worry was that she might shut down.

Not that anyone would blame her.

“Thank you. All of you. It means the world that you came to help us.”

“No thanks necessary. That’s what friends do,” Tell chirps from behind us.

“That’s what family does,” I correct, smiling as Tell and Gavin both squeeze my shoulders. I hardly noticed that they both had a hand on me this whole time. Evan, on the other, hand simply looks back over his shoulder at me from the front and nods once.

It’s enough to know he’s right there, never more than a few feet from me.

At the house, we pile out, fatigue and a whole lot of soreness slowing every one of us down. Groans and moans follow our miserable train to the front door.

Alaya is the first in, making a beeline for the bathroom when I snag her jacket, jerking her back and forcing her down onto one of the plush armchairs with a firm grip. “Nope. Ora showers first.”

“Agreed. But can I come too?” She beams, biting her lip and winking at Ora.

For a second we all freeze, uncertain of how the tease will play in Ora’s state.

The tiny woman just stares ahead for a moment before she blinks slowly, turning her head like she’s never been more bored in her life. Her eyes trail down Alaya’s entire body from head to toe and back up.

And then I see the old Ora peek through, her hip cocking slightly, her lips pursing.

“Hmm. Not bad. I’d hit it. But not tonight.”

“Oh!” Alaya gasps, looking a little stunned and definitely pleased with herself.

With a shake of my head, I take my best friend into one of the rooms, prepping the bath while she undresses. It’s a little awkward, not knowing what to do for her, but I want to be here.

If she wants me to.

Laying out a fresh towel, I pause in the doorway, waiting to see if she’s going to get off her spot on the edge of the bed.

“I’ll be right out here if you need me.”

She nods once.

Then she bolts across the room and into my arms. This time, there’s only silent tears as I hold her close for several minutes.

When she pulls back, she sniffles, smiling up at me sadly.

“Thanks, Hell. I need a few minutes to myself, now.”

“You got it, Ora.”

Out in the living room, the gang is scattered, Tell sprawled on a couch, Evan pacing in the office door, and Gavin leaning on the bartop, his hands folded as he stares down at nothing.

Alaya’s the only one who seems relatively normal, unfazed by what we just did.

I suppose it’s fair not to judge her for it. She didn’t know Clive or anyone else at the Block or Devonde’s.

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