Page 40 of Sage Haven
I stilled.
Just a fraction of hesitation, but it was enough.
“What makes you say that?” I asked, working to keep my tone even and controlled.
He leaned back, casual as ever. “I had a little chat with Sam and Sage this morning,” he said, voice light but his gaze sharp. “Sam’s worried. Says Sage keeps asking about you.”
I hated when he did this.
Dropped information like breadcrumbs, daring me to follow.
Tossed out scraps of truth like weapons, waiting to see if they hit their mark.
I shouldn’t have cared.
I told myself I didn’t.
And yet, there it was.
The crack.
The twist deep in my chest that told me I was lying.
I shrugged because I had to. “She’s not my concern.”
“That’s odd,” Castor mused, his voice too casual. “Considering she looks an awful lot like that girl we’ve seen hanging around the back field every morning.”
My jaw tightened.
So he’d noticed her too.
“I’ll take care of it,” I said, the words clipped and final.
They left no room for argument, but Castor wasn’t arguing.
He was watching, and that was worse.
“Right,” he said slowly, pushing off the stool. “Well, I’ve got a blondie waiting who needs some taking care of.”
He made it sound casual, but as he moved toward the door, I stepped into his path.
Blocking it.
The air between us shifted—sharp andtense.
“Whatever you do,” I said, my voice low and even, “make sure this girl doesn’t mess with our work.”
For the first time in hours, Castor’s grin faded. His expression hardened. Eyes locked on mine, cool and calculating, “I could say the same to you, brother.”
A silent beat passed between us.
An understanding.
A warning.
Then he left, and I was alone again, but not for long.
Because every morning after my run, I still found myself standing on the deck.
