Page 98 of Red Captive

“About your talk—”

“I’m going, Jen. I’ve made up my mind. I know you don’t like it, but we need to do something. It has to be proactive, and it needs to be now. It would be better if I went to him instead of being captured and brought in, which will end up happening sooner or later. This should work better for us.”

“I still think you should let me go with you. Let me speak with him and explain…”

He shakes his head the whole time I talk.

“Yes!” I inject venom into my voice. “Let me do it. Let me help. You’re the one with a bounty on your head. You’re the one they want to put in jail.”

“Except, I know Arctic. Things are different between us now, but I know him through and through. I know how his mind works. We were friends once. I’m sure he’ll listen to me. Our history has to count for something. I’m not putting you at risk, and that’s final.”

I chew on my lip. “I hope you’re right. I hate that you’re putting yourself in danger for me.”

He cups my cheek. “Now that I’ve heard your story, I understand your desperation to get home. Your drive to protect your family. It makes perfect sense. I need to do this.” He takes my hands, and then he kisses me softly on the lips.

How do I tell him that I’m not sure I want to leave anymore, that my place feels like it’s with him? But my family needs me as well. It all seems so impossible.

My throat clogs. My eyes sting. I put my arms around Steel and hold him close; my cheek is pressed tight against his chest. “Please be careful. Please don’t do anything stupid. Don’t putyourself in the line of fire.” I lean back, looking into his beautiful brown eyes. “Not for me.” I shake my head.

“I’d do just about anything for you.” He kisses me again.

That’s what I’m afraid of.

There’s a knock at the door, and we pull apart.

Steel looks into my eyes, giving me a soft smile. Then he walks to the door, opening it.

Natalia is standing there. “Hey. You called.” She looks just as good in casual wear. She’s wearing a pair of cutoff denim shorts and a white tank top. She has a beautiful brown tan and legs that go on for miles.

“Thanks for helping out,” Steel says.

“Anything for you, sweet cheeks.” Natalia winks at him.

I roll my eyes.

She turns her attention to me. “Hellooo, human. It looks like it’s just you and me for several hours. Steel tells me you like watching movies. That you’re particularly partial to Jamie Dornan and Drew Barrymore.”

I go warm inside. I nod. “Yep. I’ll make the popcorn. You can choose a movie, but it doesn’t have to star one of them. I don’t mind,” I tell her, my eyes on Steel.

I don’t want him to go.

I quickly close the space between us. I’m not ashamed to admit that I throw myself at him, and we kiss. Steel picks me up so that my feet are off the ground. I wrap my arms around his neck.

“Come back to me,” I whisper as we pull apart, our noses still almost touching.

He doesn’t make any promises. He doesn’t even nod his head. Steel lets me go and turns to Natalia. “Take good care of her.”

“I will.” Natalia is on the sofa, flicking through the channels and then pulling up a list of movies.

Steel looks at me for a moment longer and then leaves. I stare at the closed door. My stomach is in knots.

“You promised popcorn,” Natalia tells me. “I have a sweet tooth. Do you know how to make caramel?”

“Yep. My brother likes his with caramel, too,” I tell her, partially to remind myself why I have to let Steel go. Why I have to leave Mistveil.

I go and grab a pan and get started on the sweet treat.

“How did you do it?” I almost jump out of my skin when Natalia talks from directly behind me.

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