Page 23 of Consume Me

“Do you know if they had another hiding place?” Kaden asks, no hint of accusation in his tone.

“The laboratory, but that was blown up, and I searched his penthouse.”

“We should talk to him,” Celine suggests.

“He’ll crack under the threat of violence,” Abi says.

“My father is the worst coward, but he’d die for that research. I have to talk to Cassandra.”

Kaden grips my elbow. “Let’s get one thing straight. We’re a team.”

I look around. All of them have their feet firmly planted, signaling their agreement.

“It’s my responsibility.”

“Shut up, Blake,” Hunter says. “It will always be ours. This is our fucking life.”

I call Cassandra. “We need to talk.”

“Officially or unofficially?”

“Officially.”

“Meet me in an hour at the estate,” she says before hanging up.

Celine approaches me. “I never thanked you for saving my mom.”

“And you never have to.”

She nods, and I say, “Are you okay with––”

“Please, I look forward to the official meetings when she doesn’t dote on me like I am a five-year-old.”

A burst of chuckles echoes around us, and we all head back out.

I am the first to leave, and Mia hops into the passenger seat as I start the car.

“What are you doing?”

“I feel like going on a silent and uncomfortable ride for an hour,” she says, putting her seatbelt on.

I bite back my amusement. She looks straight ahead, scrunching the tip of her nose. She is so breathtakingly beautiful. Perfection exists. Mia is the proof––from the inside out, she’s flawless.

Focus, you idiot.

“How’s the head?”

She fakes a gasp and puts her hand on her chest. “He cares.”

That was never the problem.

“Still missing London? You could go back and leave this behind.”

“I don’t leave my family.”

“Are you trying to hurt my feelings?”

“You don’t have any.”

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