Page 41 of Consume Me

“I’ve heard something interesting.”

“And that would be, Silver?” his voice lowers, all deep and ending on a husky tone that has me stuttering a breath.

“I just had an interesting conversation with a guy who claims I’m your girl.”

“Interesting.”

“That was my first thought as well…” I look at Tyson. “Do you know anything about that?”

He steals a glance at Blake, keeping his mouth shut. At least he has the decency not to lie to my face—time to change my strategy.

“Do you find me attractive?” I ask Tyson.

“Don’t answer that,” Blake warns.

“You’re beautiful.”

“You’re playing with fire,” Blake warns him.

“You want to play, Blake? Let’s play. I will find that guy who won’t be intimidated by you.”

“Good luck.” He has the audacity to say again.

“I don’t need luck. I can be very persuasive when I want to be.”

I don’t even know what I am actually implying, but when I catch those greens of his burning, I guess he understood my message.

He leans in, saying in my ear, “Do that, and I’ll leave a trail of bodies behind you. I need to fucking focus to keep you alive.”

“And I want to live,” I snap, not looking back, knowing Blake won’t leave me alone and vulnerable.

On my way to the house, my phone rings. When I see that it’s my dad, I smile and pickitup.

“How’s my favorite daughter doing?”

I giggle. “You can upgrade me to your favorite twin?”

“Shh, we don’t want your brother to get jealous.”

He’s trying to lighten the mood, but a sigh escapes my lips.

“Want to come over? I miss spending time with my daughter.”

“I am good, Dad. It’s just…”

“We’re putting all the resources at our disposal to find them.”

“I know. It’s just a lot at the moment.”

I can’t believe the whole Blake situation makes me more anxious than the threat to my life. I wish there were a manual on how to navigate your first love. I’m so invested in everything Blake and these emotional highs and lows that everything else is merely a second thought.

“There’s more? Boy trouble?”

One boy, to be more accurate.

“Who is the asshole upsetting my wonderful daughter?”

A laugh tumbles out. “Thank you, Dad. I needed that.”

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