Page 194 of The Forbidden Note

I don’t think so.

It’s time I get my head screwed on straight. I keep snapping back and forth like a plucked rubber band, which is why I’m in this mess. If I’d held firm from the beginning, if I hadn’t kissed him on that cliff or lifted my skirt for him in that classroom, we wouldn’t have gotten this far.

It’s up to me to bring some sanity to this madness.

I glance up and feel everyone watching me. Dutch, Finn and Sol all look mildly uncomfortable with the tension between me and their best friend. It doesn’t help that Zane hasn’t taken those blue eyes off me since I walked in here.

A wash of awareness hits my body, but I refuse to give into it.

Harris is breathing down my neck.

The police are involved and suspecting Zane.

It’s all going to hell.

I need to focus on what’s important.

I walk up to Finn. “Can I get a ride with you? I want to start opening those boxes and see what we’re working with.”

Finn doesn’t answer. Instead, he glances behind me at Zane as if he needs his brother’s permission before he takes me anywhere.

Annoyance flares in my chest.

“Fine. Dutch?” I arch an eyebrow in his direction.

Dutch lifts both hands. “I don’t want to be anywhere near this.”

“Near what?” I snap.

“Grey,” Zane’s tone is soft but firm. I can’t tell if he’s angry or annoyed by my cold shoulder. Either way it doesn’t really matter to me.

I pretend not to have heard. “We need to move.”

Zane growls again. There’s no hiding the threat this time. “Woman.”

I back away from the boys. “If Harris is suspecting you all, then that means he’s suspecting me too. We’re running out of time.”

Still no response from The Kings.

They remain in position like they’re posing for some kind of celebrity photoshoot. Finn with his almond-shaped eyes and regal bearing. Sol with his wild, curly brown hair and high cheekbones. Dutch with his amber eyes like an unfeeling psychopath.

And Zane…

Usually he wears an air of frivolity, always with a playful smile tilting his lips. But right now, he’s all dark menace.

Even his brothers recognize it. None of them dares to step out of line.

Screw it.

I push the door aside. “Forget it. I’ll find my own way.”

I take one step into the hallway when I’m suddenly being hauled by the waist and spun against the wall. Zane’s uninjured hand smacks inches away from my head.

“Such bad manners,” he says into my ear and I jump from the nearness. He pulls back so he can brand me with a disapproving stare. “Didn’t you hear me calling you, tiger?”

“Get back to bed.”

“Only if you come with me.”

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