Page 102 of Unmask
“I’m not saying anything,” he replied.
I lifted my mug back to my lips to give myself time to think, to process this new information. The ceramic felt cold against my palms now despite the warm liquid inside.Let it go, I told myself, the words repeating in my head like a mantra. Let them chase their leads. Let them run in circles for one more night because if everything went according to plan…
By tomorrow morning, Kenny would be free. And I would be gone.
I couldn’t even think that far. All that mattered was getting through this night. One step at a time. It was all I could handle, or I’d lose the thin thread of bravado I clung to.
I watched them sip. Watched as the rich brown cocoa disappeared from their mugs. My fingers gripped my cup, but I barely touched the drink inside. My stomach was a mess of guilt, nerves, and anticipation, churning so violently I doubted I could have swallowed even if I wanted to.
Raine was the first to show signs. He yawned and rubbed at the back of his neck, rolling his shoulders.
“Long day?” I asked casually.
He nodded. “I haven’t slept much lately. Think it’s finally catching up to me.”
Maddox stretched out over the arm of the couch. “Shit, is it just me, or is it really hot in here? Did someone crank up the heat?”
“It’s the cocoa,” Mason muttered. “Sugar crash. That stuff is deadly.”
Kreed didn’t say anything. He was still watching me from across the room, mug half finished in his hand, a slight furrow between his brows as if he was close to working something out but was missing one piece of the puzzle.
I kept my eyes trained on the fire crackling in the hearth.Don’t look at him. Don’t look guilty. Just breathe.My brain was convinced that if Kreed stared into my eyes, he’d be able to read every one of my fucking thoughts. He had an annoying, uncanny ability to know shit. I couldn’t take the chance, regardless of how ridiculous or superstitious it might be.
Mason’s head dropped back against the couch. “I’m tapping out. I’ll crash on the floor if I have to.”
“No one’s sleeping on the floor,” Kreed said, pushing off the wall, but the movement wasn’t as smooth as usual. His balance wobbled slightly before he caught himself.
My nerves skyrocketed. He was going to find out. He was going to know it was me. “Are you okay?” I asked, genuine concern in my tone. What if I’d given them too high a dose?
Shit, what if I kill them?
I nearly spilled my guts, confessed my sins.
“Yeah.” Kreed blinked a few times, then looked down at his mug. “Just tired. Didn’t realize how fucking tired.”
“Maybe we should all get some sleep,” I offered carefully.
Maddox didn’t even answer. He was already slumped sideways, legs stretched out, head tilted at a weird angle onthe armrest. Raine wasn’t far behind, shifting to lie across the opposite couch with a low groan.
Mason tried to stand, then changed his mind, and sank back into the cushions, his eyes fluttering closed.
I held my breath as Kreed stepped toward me, his gaze locked on mine. His hand touched the back of the chair I sat in, then slid off as he swayed slightly. “Kaylor,” he murmured.
I got up, abandoning my drink to slip my arm around Kreed’s waist. “Let’s go upstairs.”Before you fall on your face.
He didn’t fight me as I helped him down the hall to the staircase. “You… You’ve been different today.”
Shit.
We climbed the stairs, Kreed holding on to the railing, moving at a snail’s pace. “Different how?” I asked too quickly.
He blinked hard, trying to focus. “Like you’ve forgiven me,” he muttered, gripping my bedroom door frame. Kreed might be seconds from passing into a deep slumber, but the man still had moves. With a fluid motion defying his drowsy state, he trapped me between the frame and his body, one hand over his head supporting him, while his other hand captured my chin. His thumb traced along my jawline, the calloused pad of his finger sending shivers down my spine. “Have you forgiven me?” His breath was like a feather-soft kiss against my lips.
I gasped softly. How the hell could he do that? Churn me up and tug on my fucking heartstrings? Somehow, a nearly sleepwalking Kreed was still as hot as he was fully awake.
My eyes connected with his half-lidded silver ones.Shit. How had it happened? How the hell had I fallen in love with him? I hadn’t wanted to admit it. Still didn’t want to, but it was there inside me. The warm glow haloing around my heart. It was easy at first to believe what I felt was nothing but lust and hormones, but I couldn’t continue to lie to myself. I’d lied enough tonight.
Lifting my chin a fraction higher, my hands slid up the flat of his stomach to rest on his upper chest where his heart beat steadily under my fingers. “You always knew I was going to forgive you.”
