Page 99 of Positively Pricked
I didn't need help. I needed information. "And how long will we be gone?"
He turned once again to face me. "As long as it takes. A week, maybe two."
What the hell?
This was just like him.
Two whole weeks?
On just a few hours' notice?
What if I had kids? Or dogs?
Come to think of it,hehad dogs. What was he planning to do with them? I asked, "What about Lansing and Flint?"
A shadow crossed his features. "They're staying with my dad."
His dad lived in a cabin hours away. "So they're not living with you anymore?"
"No," he said. "Not now."
"Why not?"
"It's not safe."
"You mean at your place? Why not?
"Because I'm not there."
I recalled all those threats. The way it sounded, he was actually taking some of them seriously, at least when it came to his dogs. This posed an unsettling possibility. Zane Bennington might, in fact, be human after all.
Crazy, I know.
The thought had barely crossed my mind when his expression hardened. "About the trip," he said, "if you're thinking of saying no, forget it."
I stiffened, and all those warm feelings vanished in the face of his rudeness. He didn'tneedto warn me. After all, I wasn't stupid. EvenIrealized that I was incredibly lucky to still have a job.
I looked toward the door. "Well, I guess I should get packing, huh?"
"Later."
I gave him a perplexed look. "Sorry, what?"
"You're needed here."
I could hardly believe my ears. "Until when?"
"'TilIsay so."
And, like the jerk he was, he didn't "say so" until after five o'clock, which left me almost no time to get ready, even if Ididuse the time as best as I could, returning a flurry of phone calls from media outlets who'd been seeking interviews.
Still, it was almost like Zane was making me scramble on purpose – which, knowing him, he probably was.
And why?
Just because he could.
As usual.
