Page 41 of Shadow and Skulls

I hate the way my hands reach out, desperate to keep him here with me.

“Tell me who you were talking about earlier.” He steps away from the bed, purposefully avoiding eye contact.

My hands fall to my lap as I stare at him in the dark. “Have your private investigators figure it out.”

He glances at me over his shoulder before stepping out of the room. “If you’re not going to tell me, at least tell them.”

Chapter Twelve

Kelsie

Grandma Maggie and Charlotte join me at a picnic table. She’s on recess, and it’s my lunch period. The club thought it would be easier for Charlotte to go back to school today if she had someone by her side. Grandma agreed to spend the day with her. She should have had someone by her side yesterday, but I failed her.

“Kelsie,” Charlotte squeals, climbing up beside me. “Did you see how high I was swinging?”

“I did. I think it was a record.”

She nods, picking up a fry from my tray. “You don’t have any ketchup. I’ll go get you some,” she says, jumping down.

“Recess is almost over!” I yell after her, watching helplessly as she pulls Grandma Maggie up to the building.

“It’s okay!” she hollers over her shoulder. “I’ll hurry.”

When that girl gets something in her head, there’s no stopping her.

All the kids are lined up to go back inside by the time I see Charlotte peek around the side of the building. She points in my direction. Tank steps around her, his gaze crashing with mine.

Great. Why is he here?

He makes his way toward me and tosses a couple of ketchup packets on my lunch tray. “Charlotte had to go back to class.”

“Thanks, but I’m done. I’m heading in too.”

He looks at my untouched food and then at his watch. “Sit,” he orders before lowering himself to the bench.

I do, but not because he tells me to. There’s still thirty minutes before the bell rings, and I don’t want to spend it with the people inside.

“I talked to JD.”

My fingertips begin to tingle at his mention of JD. I take a bite of my hamburger, pretending we are having a normal conversation when Jackson appears across the lawn.

“He’s not going to say anything to your parents. So, we can tell them about us when you’re ready.”

I cough into my napkin, choking on my burger.

Jackson joins us. He pats me on the back as he lowers himself beside me. “Have you seen Ash? He was supposed to meet me in the parking lot for a smoke and he never showed up.”

“No. Why are you guys here anyway? Is Charlotte still in danger?”

“Nope. Everything’s good. Just trying to make her and Katie feel comfortable today.”

My gaze automatically goes to Tank, again seeking the truth.

“We know who the threat is. He’ll be eliminated soon enough.”

A bunch of lines form on Jackson’s forehead. “It’s nothing you need to worry about, Kels.” He shoots Tank a look.

“Thank you for telling me,” I say, ignoring Jackson’s indignant huff.

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