Page 44 of Trapped Truth

Utensils clatter as he continues prepping. “It’s certainly an interesting play.”

“Interesting? He’s trying to save his skin. How am I supposed to feel about that?”

“I don’t think there’s a right answer to that question.”

Gaze lifting, I stare at him. “I lied to protect him, Hy. To you. To my team. To Sabre. The whole world, really. And look what it got me in return.”

“Trust me, I don’t need the reminder.”

“For the record, I’m so fucking sorry. I never meant to deceive you.”

Hyland casts me a thoughtful look. “I know, Ax. I don’t have to like what you did to understand it. If Gunnar has a decent bone in his body, he chose to save your life for that reason.”

“Or he knew any chance at leveraging clemency would vanish if I died.”

“Or that,” he acknowledges.

“So I can never trust him. Or his intentions.”

We fall into a hush as Ember trails into the penthouse’s open plan living space, roughly braiding wet auburn locks over her shoulder. The bruises on her face have almost faded now, leaving only vivid black circles from lack of sleep in their wake.

“Hey.” She sniffs the air. “You making dinner?”

“Hyland is.” I jut my chin in his direction. “I’ve given up.”

“Probably for the best. Should you be up?”

“Ugh, not you too. I can’t sit around like I’m on house arrest forever, dimples. I feel great.”

“You sure look it too.” Her sarcasm couldn’t be stronger.

Stirring the sauce, Hyland chuffs. “Ouch.”

“Fuck off, man. I’m still hotter than you.”

“That’s debatable.”

She pads over to the fridge to fish out cold beers, handing one over to Hyland. I pout at her for not offering me one. I’m mostly weaned off the pain medication now, but I’ve had to pop a couple of pills to get through the day.

“Warner should be out of the shower soon.” She takes the bar stool next to me. “I think Blaine’s still on the phone outside.”

I reach over to tug the end of her damp braid. “Nice shower?”

“It relieved some of the day’s stress.” She winks salaciously. “Get those stitches out in a few weeks, and maybe I’ll show you my shower routine.”

“Damn, if that isn’t motivation to get back on my feet, then I don’t know what is.”

“Enough flirting in front of me, please.” Hyland shudders in distaste. “Who wants to be in charge of salad?”

“Hand it over.” Ember laughs.

I sit back in my chair and watch them both cook, content to steal bites of chopped salad every now and again. When Ember threatens me with the knife, I make sure to steal a quick kiss too.

The meal is coming together by the time Warner emerges, leaning heavily on his walking stick to make it over to the L-shaped sofa on one leg. Ember bustles over to offer him a beer so he doesn’t have to get up again without his prosthetic in place.

“Rayna just texted.” He accepts the beer. “Trace came back on the licence plate from the blue truck that pursued us. It’s a fake. Local police report finding the vehicle abandoned on the side of the road not far from where we blew the tyres out.”

“Dammit.” Hyland grumbles into the steaming pot of food. “Another dead end.”