Page 22 of Reckless: Collision

“Let’s make this fun,” I say, ignoring the growing itch under my skin that screams for a keyboard. “Twenty questions. I’ll start easy. How long have you been a pack?”

“Five years,” Finn answers precisely. “Though our dynamic shifted significantly after?—”

“After I went crazy and dismembered some alphas,” Jinx cuts in cheerfully. “It really brought us closer together.”

Ryker’s growl fills the car. “Jinx.”

“What? She’s going to find out anyway. Probably hack our records the second she gets near technology.”

My fingers twitch. “Bold of you to assume I haven’t already.”

“Impossible,” Finn murmurs. “The files are sealed and encrypted.”

“Aw, honey. That’s cute.” I reach out and pat Finn’s very muscular thigh.

“Next question,” Ryker snaps.

“Fine. Where are we going?”

“Pack house,” Jinx turns in his seat to face me. “Beautiful, secluded location. Lots of privacy. Perfect for all sorts of... activities.”

“I will throw you out of this moving vehicle,” Ryker threatens.

“You tried that last month. I survived.”

Finn sighs, cleaning his glasses. “It was actually two months ago. And technically you jumped.”

I file that away. Interesting dynamic. The controlled alpha, the chaos agent, and the peacekeeper. “Do you have Wi-Fi?”

“No,” all three say in unison.

“Cable?”

“No,” Ryker growls.

“Civilization?”

“We have books,” Finn offers apologetically.

I slump in my seat. “So, you’re taking me to a tech-free cabin in the woods. That’s not serial killer behavior at all.”

“Don’t worry, Red.” Jinx’s voice drops to that gravelly tone that reminds me exactly why bathroom hookups are a bad idea. “I promise to make it worth your while.”

“Touch her and I’ll break your fingers,” Ryker snarls.

“Too late for that warning,” I mutter, then immediately regret it when Ryker’s eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror.

The temperature in the car drops about twenty degrees.

“Perhaps,” Finn interjects smoothly, “we should discuss security protocols?”

“Security protocols,” I repeat flatly. “Like what? How to survive in the wilderness? Bear safety? Proper outhouse etiquette?”

“Nothing so primitive,” Finn says, still cleaning those glasses like they personally offended him. “Though the wildlife can be... concerning.”

We turn onto a winding road that disappears into dense forest. My stomach drops. “You cannot be serious.”

“What’s wrong, Red?” Jinx’s voice drips with mock concern. “Scared of a little nature?”

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