Page 21 of Silk and Steel

5

EMORY

I’ve never been the impulsive type. Not really. I had every intention of remaining in the truck like Cole told me to.

But then I’d seen him acting weird, creeping around the side of my house when I’d already seen him go in the front door. I’d nearly jumped out of my skin when he set the alarm off.

One thought rang out in my mind: Cole must have found something. Some sign of danger, or maybe an imminent threat. I squirmed anxiously in my seat and watched for him until I felt like I was going to explode.

That’s what drove me to leave the safety of the truck and follow Cole. My own house seemed sinister to me as I crept around, looking for him.

Now I’ve found him, but I wish I hadn’t. I wish I had stayed in the truck. Cole is in the middle of cutting into a cardboard box with an exacto-knife or something. A phone sits out with the keypad visible and a timer indicating an active phone call. Why would he be doing this?

Because he thinks there’s a bomb inside. It’s the only logical explanation.

I’ve walked in on Cole at the worst possible time. My eyes take in other details, including the severed wrapping paper. I see that the box was once a wrapped present, complete with a card.

That gives me a little bit of hope. I mean, if someone bothered to sign a card, surely they would want me to be alive to read it?

Or maybe the bomb is set up to go off a short while after you open it, just to give you time to read the card…

I’m spiraling out of control. I’m going to panic, and I can’t do that. When you’re in the middle of a routine and you blow a spot, you can’t fall apart. You have to keep going, pick up the rhythm again on the next beat and continue as if nothing went wrong.

I take a deep breath and steady myself with a hand on the doorframe.

“Cole?” The voice on the phone says. “Are you all right?”

“I’m still here. There’s been a…complication.”

Cole snaps his gaze on me.

“Emory,” Cole growls, his eyes like an angry wolf. “I thought I told you to stay in the truck.”

“I was worried about you.”

He gnashes his teeth, face turning red.

“I think you’re confused about how this bodyguard thing works. I’m supposed to be worried about you, not the other way around. Get out of here. This could be dangerous.”

I shake my head in denial.

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“For all you know, my leaving could trigger the bomb. If it is a bomb at all. And I don’t like the idea of you getting hurt because of me.”

“That’s literally the only reason why a bodyguard exists!” he sputters.

“Dude,” the voice on the phone says, “she’s obviously not leaving. Just finish the job.”

Cole turns his angry glare back on the package.

“Whatever. I’m elbow deep in this. Can't force you to leave, so I’ll just have to make sure I make no mistakes.”

Cole holds his breath and penetrates the last layer of the box. I realize I’m holding my breath, too. Cole’s lips abruptly twist into a smirk and he stands up.

“We’re good, Axel. False alarm.”

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