Page 83 of Cold Carnage

"Fine," she said at last, sighing softly. "Sure."

We walked out together, side by side but miles apart in so many ways. The store's automatic doors whooshed open, and the cool evening air hit us like a balm. Outside, the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, the last light of day clinging to the horizon. A couple of camera flashes went off, but nothing too crazy.

Thank God.

I wasn't in the mood.

Paige led the way to her car—a modest sedan that looked like it had seen better days but still held its own. She unlocked it witha click and slid into the driver’s seat. I followed suit, settling into the passenger side and shutting the door behind me.

For a moment, silence filled the car, heavy and suffocating. She started the engine, and we pulled out of the parking lot. The hum of the car filled the void between us.

"You didn't have to do that," she said finally, eyes focused on the road ahead.

"Do what?" I asked, even though I knew exactly what she meant.

"Step in like that."

I shrugged, staring out the window as we passed streetlights flickering to life. "He was out of line."

"And you care because…?"

Her question hung in the air between us. I didn’t have an answer that made sense—at least not one I was willing to admit out loud.

Instead, I let silence reclaim its hold as we drove through the city streets.

"You'll have to tell me how to get to your place," she said, breaking the silence.

I remained silent, staring out the window, wrestling with thoughts I couldn't voice.

"Ryker," she repeated, glancing at me with concern etched across her face.

"Take me to yours," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Ryker…" Her tone held a mix of surprise and hesitation.

"I'm serious." My eyes stayed glued to the road ahead. The last thing I needed was to see her expression, to witness the war of emotions in her eyes.

She clenched her teeth, clearly grappling with her own thoughts. "We shouldn't."

"You think I can just stop?" My voice was low, strained. "I don't think you understand."

"Then explain it," she challenged, but before I could form a response, her phone rang through the stereo system.

Paige sighed and pressed a button on the steering wheel. "Hello?"

"Paige? Sweetie, I saw the news," came a woman's voice—her mother.

"Oh," Paige replied, her shoulders tensing immediately. "What did you think?"

"Honey, I think it's great, but aren't you worried?" Her mother's voice brimmed with concern. "You're orchestrating a back-to-school event with the Serpents. That's dangerous."

Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Mom, it's not dangerous. We have everything under control."

"But what about their reputation? These players are known for their scandals and problems, and you're bringing kids into it. What if something goes wrong? What if you're blamed for it?"

"I know what I'm doing," she said firmly, though I could hear the slight tremor in her voice. "Nothing went wrong. It went really well, actually."

"Do you?" Her mother pressed on. "You've always been such a good girl, Paige. This job... this team... Are you sure this is what you want? What about your future? Aren't you worried about that?"

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