Page 154 of Challenge Me

“—source—”

“—interview—”

“What do you know about—”

Oli stuck behind me, blocking them the best that he could. I broke into a run, tucking Mal against my chest to make sure none of the cameras would get her face. If she ended up in an article again, I was going to raise fucking hell.

Her entire body shook, and she said something over and over again. As we gained distance from the reporters, I realized what it was.

“Raven. Raven. Raven, raven, raven.”

With each one, her breaths hitched upward. I stroked my fingers through her hair and looked over my shoulder at Oli.

“She’s going to hyperventilate. We need out of here now.”

“My car’s behind the bar,” he said.

One of the reporters was right on our heels, and Oli whirled around. It spooked her enough that she skidded to a stop. Without missing a beat, he urged me forward.

“Should I tell them I know Judo or something?” he asked.

“You’re not Japanese.”

He scoffed. “It’s a learned skill, dummy.”

“Let’s focus on getting the fuck out of here, okay?”

By the time we rounded the corner and dipped into the alley behind the bar, my lungs were on fire. Oli unlocked his Soul, then opened the back door for me. I climbed in, not letting go of Mal. Without having to be told, he took off in the direction of Amir’s house.

*****

The front door slammed, then heavy footsteps barreled through the entryway. Oli tensed on the couch, so I reached over to squeeze his hand, just enough to remind him that things were okay.

“Where is she?” Amir demanded.

Avery stood from the chair. “She’s in her room. I gave her some tea to help her relax.”

He started toward the hallway, but Avery took his arm to stop him. “I think she’s sleeping now,” she said.

Letting out a shaky breath, he dropped into a seat and cradled his head. “How the hell did this happen?”

“It’s my fault.” My voice came out clear and level, a matter-of-fact statement with no room for debate. “I took her out for a smoothie.”

“It’s not your fault,” Avery scolded. “I told you it was fine for you to take her for the day. None of us could’ve known you’d be bombarded.”

“Why were we bombarded?” Oli asked.

Amir pulled out his phone and unlocked it before he tossed it onto the coffee table. I’d already seen the article; I just hadn’t wanted to bring it up to Oli.

“Are you kidding me?”

And that was why.

“It’s not important right now,” I sighed.

“Not important?” he repeated. “This mother—” He took a deep breath and lifted his chin. “This woman wants to take another swing at you after everything you’ve done to turn things around? And . . .” His brows knitted together as he read further. “‘A source close to Remi Keane’s childhood.’ Who . . .”

His eyes met mine, and I gave him the slightest shake of my head. The darkness that swirled inside him was something I loathed to see.