Page 90 of Séance

When he finally lifts his head, animation returns to him like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. “Pookie?”

“Yes, baby?” The pain from earlier vanishes, leaving me exhausted from the day’s events. My aches and pains are making themselves known, but I refuse to budge from my spot until I know he’s going to be okay.

“How did you know what was going to happen?” As if he senses my retreat, he reaches out and captures the back of my neck, stopping me from pulling away. His expression hardens, his pale blue eyes turning stormy. “Please don’t run. I’ll be forced to chase you. To the ends of the world if I must.”

Chapter Twenty-nine

ELLIS

After Hicks calls to tell me Rue was released, he disappears, leaving me to pick up the pieces once again. I drop James off with his brother, then I detour to the mall and pick up the waiting jewelry order before I stop by the electronics store to buy a new phone for Rue.

Instead of activating it under her account, I activate it under mine, then I hook up her dead phone, which I scooped up out of the pond, and transfer her data. While the phone is dead, the data isn’t lost.

Data is never lost—a person just has to know where to look for it.

Once that’s done, I race back to the others, the need to check on Rue like a sharp edge of a blade pressing against my neck. While Hicks might be the leader of the group, Gunner is the protector, the twins are the caretakers, and I’m their minder.

That means it’s up to me to keep track of them and their shit and remind them of appointments and jobs, even to eat when they get caught up on projects.

If they need something, they come to me.

After years on the job, I’m good at anticipating their wants.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t frustrating as shit to basically be forced to act like their damn mother. Most of the time, I don’t mind, but right now, I very much fucking mind. I’m worried about Rue, worried that the guys will fuck things up more without me to rein them back.

As I pull into the driveway, my eyes immediately lock on the house next door.

Sure as shit, the guys have Rue fucking cornered.

Throwing the door open, I grab the bags before storming across the yard toward them, hoping I get there in time to head off the coming disaster. When I’m close enough to hear James’ words, I know I’m too fucking late. The bags crinkle in my hands as I crush them in my grip, and I straighten my glasses to prevent myself from ripping my hair out in frustration.

“Don’t answer that,” I snap, glaring at the idiots as I bound up the stairs, forcing myself between the guys and Rue. I’m not sure if I’m glad I have the bags in my hands to keep myself from punching the assholes or annoyed that I can’t bash the idiots over the head. “You can’t just demand answers because you want them.”

Just when James stalks toward me with a snarl of both annoyance and pissed off anger, Gunner pushes himself between us.

“That’s not what we were doing,” the big man protests, then he looks at the twins with a pointed look. “We would never demand Rue share anything before she’s ready.”

He turns toward Rue, ignoring me completely, his expression softening. “We’re just worried about you. That’s all.”

“If you’re so worried, why haven’t you allowed her inside the house and tended to her wounds?” I’ve never been so disgustedwith the guys in my life. When they look properly cowed, I turn toward Rue, and my expression softens. “I’m sorry that?—”

“Don’t do that,” Rue interrupts, a furrow between her eyebrows. “You’re their friend, not their nursemaid. Let them make their own mistakes.”

She doesn’t look upset, but she’s clearly not happy with me, and my gut churns with a caustic mixture of dread and annoyance.

Honestly, I’m speechless, unsure if she’s defending them or me.

No one ever bothers to thank me for the things I do for them. I don’t expect it, but it’s been a long time since any of the fuckers showed any appreciation either.

“Ellis is right,” Jace says, dragging me out of my tendency to overthink everything, and he rakes a hand through his hair in a violent move that shows his frustration. “We ambushed you, more worried about ourselves than you.”

The three of them at least have the decency to look ashamed.

Instead of backing down, Rue narrows her eyes on the boys like they are toddlers to be chastised. “Then do better. Ellis shouldn’t have to be your conscience, telling you right from wrong. You’re grown-ass men. He’s so busy looking after you that I wonder who’s left to look after him.”

Warmth fills my chest, and my irritation at the guys melts away. “It’s okay. I don’t mind…most of the time.”

And I don’t.

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