Page 17 of Cage

“Sprite is so gross,” she mumbles.

I shoot her a stern look as she takes a drink. Her head pulls back in surprise as she stares at the cup for a second. Then she starts sucking it again.

“Oh my God, this is so good.”

Rylan looks back at her and winks, and my mood instantly sours. Why the fuck is he being so flirty with her? And why does she seem to enjoy it? He’s a dead man.

Nothing but darkness surrounds us. We’re driving in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night.

Ember finally fell asleep an hour or so ago, and I haven’t stopped watching her. Every time I try to focus on something else, my attention is drawn back to her. Yet I continue to try to fight it.

All three of our phones sound with our message tones, and when I look at mine, I chuckle.

Lex:Why is it that when it’s time for Rowie to go to bed, she’s suddenly dying of thirst, needs to use the toilet half a dozen times, and wants to know the meaning of life?

Theo:You fucking idiot. She’s stalling. Tell her to go to sleep or she’ll lose five Good Girl Points.

Cage:I don’t know. She made me feel like a real asshole this morning when I threatened to take some away.

Rylan:Get ready because there’s about to be another Little in the house, and she’s nearly as sassy as Row.

I silently growl at my brother. Why is he talking about Ember like he knows her? I don’t like it.

Cage:Shut the fuck up, Rylan. We don’t know if she’s Little.

Rylan:Cage is a bit touchy about Ember. I can feel his eyes burning into the back of my head right now as he glares at me.

Ghost:Ah, shit. Does Cage have a crush? Is she actually Little?

Theo:Rowie has never been around another Little. It might be good for her.

Cage:Or it could be a fucking disaster. We don’t know for sure that Ember is Little.

Cassian:Way to be positive, Cage. BTW, why the hell didn’t you want another plane?

Cage:Ember is terrified of flying.

Ghost:C-R-U-S-H

Cage:Fuck off, Ghost.

“Hey,” Koda murmurs quietly.

I glance up at him and then follow the direction of his gaze. My heart thuds against my sternum as I take in the sight of Ember, sound asleep with her head resting against the window and her thumb firmly lodged in her mouth.

She looks so fucking small and innocent. A surge of protectiveness washes over me.

I’m going to keep her safe.

Forever.

When I look at Koda again, Rylan is turned in the front passenger seat, staring back at her.

Leaning forward so my face is only inches from his, I give him a death stare. “Keep looking at her like that and I’ll end you,” I say quietly.

Rylan chuckles and winks at me before turning to face forward again and muttering something about me being a jealous bastard.

Fuck him.

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