Page 40 of Eye Candy

“What about my kidnapper?” I asked. “I thought you wanted to catch him and see if he took someone you know, too?”

Lola waved that off. “I was hoping it was the same, but… the more I think about it, the less likely it seems. She was older than you, and she’s been known to play mind games in the past. She could be hiding out somewhere, waiting to come back when it’ll stir up the most shit.”

Something tugged at my heart when I asked quietly, “Does that mean you’re going to take Mike back?” I… didn’t think I wanted him to go, which was weird for me. It wasn’t like I’d gotten to know him that well, since the guy never spoke, but… I didn’t know. Maybe I’d grown used to his presence. Maybe I’d started to like having him around, watching me.

“No. I still want you to be safe. Mike’s not going anywhere.” I had to hide my relief at that, hope that Lola didn’tnotice. “But I mean it, Laina. If you want out, all you have to do is tell me.”

I didn’t quite understand why Lola was taking such interest in my life and my well-being. It could be that I just wasn’t used to anyone truly caring about me like that. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“Of course, gorgeous.” She winked at me. “Now, shall we descend the stairs in a dramatic fashion to reveal your new look?” She offered me her arm.

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread on my face as I hooked my left arm through hers. I had to be gentle about it, avoid touching her with the scabbing wound, but I managed. Wearing a plain black dress with just the barest hint of lace around the neckline, I looked like I was going to a funeral, but that was the point: look sad and traumatized to rake in the sympathy votes.

Although, why my dad needed sympathy votes right now was beyond me.

Lola and I paused at the top of the staircase, and she gave me a smile. “You do look beautiful, but no matter what anybody else says, I like the pink and blue hair better.” She whispered that last part, like it was a secret we’d keep between us, and then we descended the stairs together.

I still wasn’t used to wearing heels, so I was grateful Lola kept a firm hold on my arm as we walked down. My legs were a little itchy due to the black tights I wore under the dress. All in all, it was a very modest look.

Lola was right. Modesty, innocence—it wasn’t what I was going for anymore.

When we reached the first floor of the house, Lola harrumphed. “What the hell? Where is everybody? So much for descending the stairs in a dramatic fashion. Come on. Let’s findsomeone to appreciate you.” She tugged me along, down the hall, to the living room, where we’d left everybody.

Walking into the living room, I saw Tessa near the windows, holding a short glass full of some kind of alcohol. Viper and Mike stood off to the side, neither of the men saying a word to each other. Kieran had plopped down on the couch, looking bored, but when he heard us enter, his head whipped around so he could see. He was on his feet the moment after that, his black stare taking me in.

“Wow,” he breathed out the word, staring harder than he should. Anyone with eyes could see the hunger in those eyes… or maybe I could just because I knew it was there. “You look—” He struggled to finish.

Tessa turned away from the window, nodding once. “You look good enough to be put in front of cameras.” A tight-lipped compliment that wasn’t really a compliment. She finished whatever was in her glass. Apparently that was all she’d say.

Lola still had my arm hooked through hers, and I could tell she was staring daggers at Tessa. My eyes moved to Mike and Viper; mainly the former. Only the former.

His hazel stare was on me, his square jaw clenched. He said nothing, but he also couldn’t seem to stare anywhere else in the room now that I was there. Beside him, Viper said, “Who knew you could do such good work, Lola?” When Mike continued to say nothing, he added, “He says you look good.”

“If we’re done here, we really should get going. I want to be at city hall by two forty-five.” Tessa’s finger tapped on the glass in her hand, an impatient gesture.

“I guess that’s my cue to leave,” Lola said, slipping her arm away from me. She shot me a look that said,Remember what I told you upstairs, and then she and Viper went to leave.

I walked after her, following them to the front door. “What about your stuff?” I asked.

“Keep it. I bought it all this morning for you.” Lola blew me a kiss, and then she and Viper were gone.

I watched them drive off, wishing they weren’t going. Something about Lola, now that I knew more about her, ironically made me feel safe. It was the same feeling I got around Mike too, now that I was thinking about it. There was something about them that made me feel like I could depend on them—and that was more than I could say for my own dad, sad as it was.

As I closed the door, I couldn’t help but sigh.

This press conference was going to be fun.

Chapter Fourteen – Kieran

Fuck. I shouldn’t have done what I did to Laina in her room, because after that, it was damn near all I could think about. It’s why, for so long, I’d tried my best to keep my distance, like I’d known, deep down, that once I tasted her lips on mine, I’d never have another sane thought in my head again.

Even as we headed to city hall together, I couldn’t get my mind out of the gutter. I drove my sister and Laina to city hall, while Mike took his own car and was following us. Tessa had claimed the front seat, relegating Laina to the back… but that was fine, because I could see her in the rearview mirror, watch her gaze absentmindedly at the passing city blocks.

She looked different with blond hair, which was stupid. She was blond, and its hue wasn’t that different from her normal, natural color, but I’d gotten used to the spunky, pink and blue hues. I wanted to slam on the breaks, whip out of the car, grab her out of the backseat and take that silly wig off her.

And then, of course, I wanted to do things to her I couldn’t do on the side of the street in the bright light of day, especially with Tessa watching. I’d get arrested for indecent exposure or something, and piss my sister off in the process.

Laina must’ve felt me staring, because her blue eyes flicked to the mirror, spotting my reflection. She was able to hold my stare only for a few seconds before glancing away, blushing. It would seem our little encounter in her room was something that made her all hot and bothered, even now.

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