Page 73 of Make Them Cry
Juno walks in holding her laptop and a box of donuts. “Correction,” she says cheerfully. “You’re one hundred percent submerged, Gage. Like, Atlantis-level sunk. It’s kind of adorable.”
Arrow stands and takes the laptop from her. “Any progress on the Tasha angle?”
Juno nods, then tosses a glazed donut at Knight, who catches it with his mouth like a trained seal. “She was definitely dodging when I brought up the internal access to River’s backup server. Said something about ‘bugs in the patch system’ and changed the subject to wine preferences.”
“Classic diversion tactic,” Ozzy says.
“She also got real weird when I asked if anyone had been in River’s apartment recently,” Juno continues. “I pretended it was about surprise birthday planning. She looked like I kicked her puppy.”
I sigh. “River doesn’t know about Tasha yet…”
Juno cuts in, “She suspects. At girl’s night, River asked about Tasha.”
I nod. “Well, I’m not telling her any more until we have solid proof. She just found out I’m Mask. I think I used up all my surprise reveals for the month.”
“You kissed her,” Arrow says flatly.
“Yeah,” Knight adds. “And from the way you were humming in the kitchen earlier, it wasn’t just a friendly kiss. You humming means you’re smitten. It’s a scientific fact.”
I rub the back of my neck. “I should check on her. Make sure she got home okay.”
Juno and Arrow exchange a look.
“You mean check the security feed like a normal paranoid guy in love,” Juno says, “or stalk her doorstep like a love-struck weirdo?”
“Don’t answer that,” Ozzy says. “We all know the answer. It’s option two.”
I grab my hoodie and head for the door. “Thanks for the support, gentlemen.”
It’s latewhen I pull up outside the Riverside safe house. Her lights are on in the front room, a soft yellow glow illuminating the little potted plant Juno brought over. The guys did a decent job transforming this old building into something cozy. There’s a curtain on the window now, and I think Knight even added a bookshelf.
I don’t go to the door. I never do. I just stand there, hands stuffed in my pockets, heart aching with the want to be closer.
She’s safe. She’s okay. But I can’t protect her forever from this world or from the truth that her best friend might be a snake hiding in kitten heels.
I catch her curvy silhouette sliding across the curtain. She doesn’t look out—probably getting ready for bed. She favors those oversized tees, but they can’t hide the strength in her stance or the fire in her eyes. She’s tough. Braver than anyone I know.
And she kissed me like I was the only thing keeping her grounded.
God help me, I want more.
I lean against the building wall and close my eyes. For once, I’m not thinking about traps or data strings or cyber trails. I’m thinking about her smile. The way she bites her bottom lip when she’s concentrating. How she looks at me like maybe I matter.
And how I’m going to have to break her heart when this all comes out.
Because even if we prove Tasha’s involved, River is going to feel that betrayal in her bones. I want to be her safe place—but I might be part of what shatters her trust for good.
I tell myself I’ll leave after one more minute. Then my knuckles are on the wood.
I don’t mean to knock.
The locks click. The door opens.
River is barefoot in an oversized T-shirt and soft shorts, hair scraped up in a loose knot that’s losing the fight. She looks at me like she half expected this and half refuses to admit it.
“Hi,” she says.
I could say I was nearby. I could say I brought groceries. I could say anything that doesn’t sound likeI can’t stay away from you.
