Page 82 of Kortlek

As I rise to my feet, Cove follows suit. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I turn to Cove. “What do you think? He gave me an hour, didn’t he? I already lost thirty minutes getting here.’’

Cove’s jaw clenches, though his voice remains calm. “No.’’

“No?”

“No,’’ he echoes. “You’re not going.’’

“I’m not asking you for permission,’’ I grit out, stepping back.

“For the time being, I agree with Cove,’’ Arlo chips in, walking over and standing next to Cove. The two of them ganging up against me pisses me off, but it’s not the time for me to be angry about that. I have bigger things to think about.

“No one asked for your input,’’ I snap. “You two can’t prevent me from going.’’

Cove and Arlo exchange a glance. Things between them have been rocky since I started this entire thing with Cove, but when it comes to my well-being, they’re always on the same page. As much as I love them for it, right now, I’m too focused on finding Rose.

“You’re not going, and that’s final,’’ Arlo says, and Cove nods in agreement.

“While we’re here arguing about this, time’s running out.’’

“Arlo and I will go,’’ Cove says. “You stay fucking put.’’

“And what happens when Wyatt sees you two instead of me? You don’t think he has someone watching over Rose? He’ll just tell them to kill her then and there.’’

Arlo’s no longer listening. He gathers his guns, ensuring every clip is filled, then hands one to Cove. The two start having a hushed conversation away from me, putting their jackets on. I’m about to start screaming, but a hand on my shoulder stops me.

I glance back at Blair. She shakes her head a little, gripping my shoulder. Her eyes flicker to our men, and she’s silent. She’s waiting for them to leave and for us to be left alone, and my curiosity piques.

Reluctantly, I agree with the boys. “Fine. But if a single hair is missing from her head, you two are as good as dead.’’

Cove approaches me again, kissing the top of my head. He remains like that for a few seconds, then steps back. His face shows nothing, but when he bends to kiss my forehead, some of my worries lessen.

“I promise she’ll be back in one piece.’’

Arlo kisses Blair, whispering something in her ear. He glances at me, a soft expression on his face that vanishes just as quickly as it came. Cove and Arlo nod at each other, and within a minute, they’re leaving, closing the door behind them.

Immediately, I turn to Blair.

“What was that?”

She sighs. “I know how it feels to want to be the one to handle a situation like this. I know because I’ve been through this. So, I’m giving you an hour before I tell Arlo you gave me the slip.’’

My eyes widen slightly, but soon enough, I realize what she’s referring to. If my situation with Wyatt is bad, her entire life story is fucking terrible. It’s heartbreaking to just imagine what this poor girl has gone through, how she was ruthlessly and mercilessly hurt by the two people who were supposed to protect her.

With a deep breath, I open Arlo’s laptop again and rewind the video of Rose and Wyatt. I watch it three times before my eyes narrow. Something’s definitely wrong with the image. It’s not fabricated, I can tell that much; however, Wyatt seems almost… too eager.

He’s not an idiot; he must know that someone would be watching the video aside from me. My mind goes into overdrive as I start analyzing every glimmer in his eyes, every time his lips would curl up in a slight smirk.

“That fucking bastard,’’ I whisper, finally putting the pieces together.

“What is it?”

“He knows Arlo won’t let me go! He knows someone else will go in my stead.’’

“So?”

“So,’’ I swallow, trying to explain as quickly as possible. “There’s a high possibility he won’t even be at the stupid park. He’s trying to lure them out and then use that as an excuse to hurt Rose.’’

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