Page 80 of Marks of Rebellion
"Don't look at me like that." he snarls.
"You know something, and you aren't telling me."
His face hardens. "Not my story to tell."
"Since when do we not have each other's back?"
"Just because I'm not disclosing confidential information to you that I promised I wouldn't, doesn't mean I don't have your back."
I snort.
Ryker's eyes turn to slits. "So, you've told me everything Vanessa has told you?"
I wish I could deny it, but I can't.
"That's what I thought."
"Fine. But whatever Julieta has planned isn't going to put Vanessa in harm?"
"Of course not," Ryker angrily barks. "Man, what do you have against Julieta?"
"Nothing."
"You're full of shit, Hunter. Whatever it is, get over it. I'm tired of it. Everything Julieta's done has helped us so far. She even made your favorite breakfast this morning, trying to be nice to you."
"Glad she told me not to eat it before the hill of death," I grumble.
"Since when do you back down from a challenge?"
My blood pulses hard. "When my woman's safety is involved, that's when."
Ryker steps closer. "This is what we do. We don't have a lot of options right now, and none of our choices are sunshine and rainbows. The other guys are all on their own and hiking in the jungle, doing who knows what. We're the luckiest of them all. We have each other and the Jeep. And we got to stay under a roof last night,thanks to Julieta.Let's not forget that."
I hold my hands in the air. "You're right. I just..." I sigh and lower my voice. "Vanessa's panic attacks scare me. I'm not sure what to do so she doesn't have them."
He sighs and his voice calms. "You can't do anything besides what you're doing. You know that."
I clench my jaw and stare at the sky.
"You're doing a good job. Don't second-guess yourself. That won't help her."
Am I really helping her?
It doesn't feel like it.
"Don't," Ryker reiterates.
The door opens and Vanessa and Julieta appear.
"Did you enjoy powdering your noses?" I tease.
Vanessa bats her eyes.
I peer at her closer. "Did you put makeup on?"
"Little bit. Julieta had some from her house. Now we aren't a total embarrassment for you two."
"You look nice, but neither of you needs it." I mean it, too. They both, including Julieta, are smoking-hot women.
