Page 90 of Guarded from Danger

My stomach lurches as a wave of nausea sweeps through me. I’ve been getting better at talking about everything, but it still makes me feel uneasy. A bit tersely, I answer, “It wasn’t either of those things. But it’s still an active investigation, so I’m not really supposed to share the details.”

Which is true. Aside from my parents and the Blade and Arrow team, of course, all I’ve told anyone else is that I was abducted by a stranger and they tried to get me back. And it’s a relief, honestly, to have an excuse not to talk about it more than that.

“Oh.” Kali’s lips flatten. A flicker of irritation moves across her face. “Fine.”

Wanting to change the subject, I ask lightly, “What about Ethan? How long have you been dating? I’d love to hear about him.”

After a momentary silence, she huffs, then says, “Not too long. Just a couple of dates.”

“Where did you meet?”

“The gym.” Her answer is clipped.

“Okay… What does he do?”

“He’s in sales.” Her gaze skitters over to the bedroom door before moving back to me. “He’s nice enough. And he says he wants a family. So that’s good.”

Hmm. Doesn’t sound like a rousing endorsement. But this is what Kali always does. She picks a guy based off a checklist of criteria—successful, good looking in that all-American way, wants two kids and a picket fence—and throws herself at anyone who ticks the boxes.

Kali reaches over to the coffee table and takes a bottle of water from it. As she opens it, she nods at the other bottle sitting there. “In case you’re thirsty.”

“I’m good now, but thanks.”

“So, what about Xavier? How are things with your super hot bodyguard boyfriend?”

“They’re good.” Excellent, really, but she doesn’t sound super enthusiastic about this Ethan, so I don’t want to rub it in.

“Just good?” she prods. “You’ve been with him for ages. It’s just good?”

“It’ll be eight months soon.” I can’t stop my smile from spreading. “And it’s more than good. I love him. And we just decided to move in together.”

Kali’s face jerks with surprise. “You never live with the guy you’re dating. Ever.”

“Well, I never felt this way about anyone else before. I think…” At her raised eyebrows, I admit, “I think he’s the one.”

“Are you moving in with him? Or is he moving into your house?”

“I’m moving in. Well, I pretty much have already. It just makes more sense, since he works right there. And everyone else who lives at the ranch is so nice. So that’s a bonus.”

“And your parents?”

“Oh, they love him. They came over—” But I cut myself off. There’s something in Kali’s eyes that tells me though she’s asking the questions, she doesn’t like my answers.

In a colder tone than I’ve ever heard her speak, she says, “So it sounds like everything’s working out for you.”

“Well.” That sick feeling bubbles up in my stomach again. “I don’t know about that. But things are?—”

“It sure sounds like it to me.” Her eyes narrow. “You have an incredibly hot former-Special Forces boyfriend who loves you. Who wants you to live with him. I bet he’s planning a proposal already.”

“I don’t know?—”

“Your parents love him,” she continues. “Now you have all these friends at this Blade and Arrow place. Plus, you’re a successful writer. And you’ll never have to worry about money.”

My chest tightens. I hate when Kali gets like this. She’s normally fine, never shows a hint of jealousy, but maybe once a year or so, when she’s going through a tough time, she lashes out.

No one’s perfect, though. And it’s true, she’s had a much tougher life than me, at least up until recently. Her dad passed away when she was sixteen, and her mom turned to alcohol to dull the pain, leaving Kali to struggle through the rest of high school on her own. There wasn’t money for college, or a car, or any of the things my parents helped me with. And she’s never been able to pull everything together the way she really wants—money, a nice house, new SUV, tennis and long lunches at the club.

She doesn’t have a bad life, by any means, but I can see how, in comparison, mine looks pretty good.

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