Page 46 of For Wrath and Redemption
Claire goes back to her phone, and I spend the rest of the ride listening to her breathe. I time my breaths with hers, each inhale like a knife to the chest. Filling my lungs with lavender and sugar. Taking hits of her like I need a fix.
I’m in control, I tell myself.
She’ll be gone soon, and things can go back to normal.
14
CLAIRE
“So how’s it going?”
I glance up from my phone to find Sav smiling at me. I hadn’t even realized she’d moved seats. I smile.
“Good, I think. So far.”
“I did an internet search this morning and everyone is buzzing about the youth center visit yesterday.”
“I saw. Seems like it’s going over well,” I say with a nod, and then I flare my eyes. “I’m withholding judgment until the story’s been out for forty-eight hours, though. You never know what kind of drama the tabloids will try to create.”
Sav laughs. “Isn’t that the truth.” She glances down at her phone and starts to scroll. “But still...The headlines look promising. You did good.”
My answering smile is tight, and I don’t argue. She’s right—early headlines are nothing but praise. Selfies from the kids have flooded social media, and news articles are circulating a quote from Ms. Nilsson that’s saying how “wonderful” and “kind” it was that Jonah took time out of his day to visit the Stockholm Youth Center. So far, it’s looking good, but I’m still waiting until I declare it successful.
“Are you planning to say anything?”
I shake my head and tell her what I told Jonah. “I’ve got a social media post scheduled for this afternoon, but it won’t directly address the youth center. I think subtlety is key here. If we’re going to do thisand make it last, we need everyone to see it as authentic. If the media thinks we’re only doing this for PR, we’ll never win any of them over.”
Sav smirks and arches a brow, but she says nothing. It makes me nervous.
“What?” I ask.
She shrugs. “You’re good at this.”
I laugh and shake my head. “No. Thanks, but no. Honestly, anyone with a background in marketing would have thought of it.”
“I think you’re being modest.”
I laugh again, and it’s even more awkward the second time.
“Seriously. There’s a reason why Jo’s dad trusted you with this. Give yourself some credit.”
My face falls before I can catch myself, and I know my smile looks tight by the way her brow furrows.
“Thanks.”
It’s all I can manage to say, and the false cheer in my tone sounds so guilty in my head. I look away and rack my brain for a change of subject. If we stay on topic, I’m worried I’ll spill what I’ve been thinking for the last few days. That I’m here just because I’m fucking my boss and not because I’m good at my job. On top of that, he chose me for this task not because he thinks I’m competent, but because he wanted to get me out of the way so he could fuck his secretary.
I can’t help the way I flinch at the thoughts, and I have to give my head a little shake. Then I plaster a smile on my face and turn back to her.
“So do you guys always leave at the break of dawn?” I don’t acknowledge the way she’s studying me, eyes narrowed with concern. I just smile wider. “The private jet certainly made it easier, though. At least I didn’t have to fumble through airport security at four in the morning.”
Thankfully, she follows my lead on the subject change, even though I can tell she’s still trying to puzzle out the previous one.
“Sometimes we leave immediately after shows, and sometimes we leave early the morning after. We just do what Hammond tells us to do.”
I sit up and turn around so I can survey the luxurious private jet. It has plush leather seating that can accommodate up to sixteen people.Several large chairs that recline into beds, two love-seat-type couches, and even two small private areas that can serve as bedrooms. There’s also a small bathroom, a galley kitchenette, and two flatscreen televisions. Not even Conrad travels in this kind of luxury. It’s only my second time flying with the band, so I’m still in awe, but everyone else is obviously used to it. To them, it’s just another 4 a.m. flight in a forty-million-dollar piece of machinery.
Brynn is sleeping on a couch with her head in Mabel’s lap while Mabel watches something on a tablet. She’s wearing big pink headphones and pink pajamas, not a stitch of makeup on her face. Torren and Callie are curled up on another couch, while Levi and Jonah are sprawled out in two of the reclining chairs.
