Page 125 of The Explorer
“Mm-hmm, and because I knew you wouldn’t think of me as an amateur. We were both new to sex. With you I could be the best you ever had.”
I took her hand and played with her fingers. “You certainly are!”
“Same.” Aubri lifted her head and smiled at me. “I’m happy that I chose you.”
“So am I.” My lips kissed hers as my thumb stroked across her cheekbone. I couldn’t solve the problem about not knowing where Sparrow and Banni were, but maybe I could distract Aubri from worrying for a little while.
I was just about to kiss Aubri again when there was a knock on the door.
Annoyed, I went to open it and found Victor outside. “I swear your timing stinks,” I grumped.
He walked past me and stopped in the living room. “I figured you would like to know that Banni is safe.”
My breath stuck in my throat as I gave a quick glance to Aubri, who stood in the doorway of our bedroom wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
“What did you say?” I asked because I needed time to process.
“Banni and Val are in contact and Val is picking him up tomorrow morning after Banni’s little detour.”
I stayed quiet, keeping my face straight while trying not to freak out on the inside.
“Did you think we wouldn’t find out?” Victor stood calmly, looking at the nails on his right hand as if they were more interesting than this conversation. “We have a tracker connected to his brain implants for safety. I’m surprised that you didn’t consider that detail.”
Aubri’s face looked as closed off as her crossed arms. She didn’t tell Victor that Freya had warned us that a tracker in Banni’s brain implant was a possibility. “Did Banni know he could be traced?”
“Of course. He probably just didn’t think any of us would care to check his location. It’s usually used when an Explorer goes missing on a mission. I’m amused that you three Explorers thought you could get away with fooling us A’s and breaking this many laws.”
In a low mutter, I asked, “How many know about it?”
“So far, no one but me. I called Banni to discuss the prospect of his training Explorers in the Northlands, but he didn’t answer my call. That’s why I checked the log to see his location and imagine my surprise when I saw his whereabouts these past five weeks.” Lowering his hand, Victor looked to Aubri. “It’s such a shame. I liked your plan about him training Northlander Explorers, but of course now the only place that Banni will be going to is prison.”
“He could volunteer to be an Explorer,” Aubri snapped. “You recruit people from prison to be Explorers all the time.”
“That’s not how it works. Every crime must have consequences.”
Stepping closer to Victor, I pushed out my words. “Name your price.”
Victor narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t pretend you don’t understand. You could have reported the crime already but you’re here because you want something in return for your silence.”
“Hmm.” Victor pretended to think about it.
“Stop fucking around. What do you want?”
“Oh, but it’s so much fun to fuck around.” His eyes went to Aubri and lingered there for a second.
Aubri pushed off from the doorframe and came to stand in front of him. “Stop looking at me like that. I’m not my cousin and I won’t even entertain the idea of fucking you. And just for the record, neither would Freya. She played a mind game that day hoping you would freak out and convince Moreau to let us go home. But I have no problem telling you straight up that the idea of you naked disgusts the both of us.”
Victor didn’t blink. “This may surprise you, but sex isn’t everything to us French. I rejected your cousin and I would have rejected you too.” His eyes traveled down Aubri’s body. “I prefer my women softer in both temperament and body type.”
“Then what do you want?” she sneered.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” With a skeptical glare, she placed her hands on her hips.
“I want nothing today. But if I fix the log and don’t report you three, I want a promise.”
