Page 49 of Death is Familiar

“Enlighten me.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, gnawing on the words before they could form. “You feel sorry for me. That the terms of my release caused this mess. And somehow, somehow, that makes me feel even worse.” Lies. Lies. All lies. They felt thick and heavy on my tongue.

“Hm,” he grunted.

My body was still uneasy. My nerves a tender thing that were frayed at all the edges. He didn’t believe me. I felt it in my nauseated core.

But he didn’t call me out.

No, because he was Todd, he stayed silent, keeping a firm yet reassuring grip on my arm which he used to pull me close. So, close I could feel the heat emanating off his powerful chest. My legs wobbled, unsteady, but he wrapped an arm around my waist and drew a hand up to cup my face. And I… I don’t know what the hell I was feeling. My body numbed under his pine and cedar scent, the nausea ebbed, a swirl of color filled my breast⁠—

Then he stuck his finger in my ear.

There was a loud beep followed by a familiar, “Connected.”

Todd turned on his own earpiece, then raised a generous brow. The asshole had just given me a taste of my own medicine, and it was my turn to talk.

“…Hey Jack, you there?”

“Always.” Jack’s voice was warm in my ear. “Everything alright? What do you need?”

“He needs to come to us.” When I scowled, Todd shrugged his shoulders. “Unless you want to put your shoes back on? You seemed to prefer them as weapons.”

He was right, but that didn’t mean he didn’t deserve my eyeroll. “Could you pick us up? We’re at⁠—”

“I’ve got your location, I’ll come to you. Keep your earpieces on. Three minutes out.”

Silence settled in, and I was still nestled into Todd’s chest. I swallowed. With the earpieces on, I was at a disadvantage. Jack could hear my response, but Todd’s words wouldn’t register. And the man was like a furnace. The heat becoming unbearable, I tapped Todd’s shoulder, signaling for him to release me. When he did, I took a cautious step back to lean against the wall.

A packet crinkled. Todd’s brows knit together.

I almost forgot about the goodies I had stored in my bodice. Albeit, now, melted and gummy goodies. But my cache also happened to include a pack of gum, which would be helpful to get the foul taste out of my mouth, if I could just reach it.

I twirled my finger at Todd, telling him to turn around. Despite his reluctance, he turned, and I slipped a hand down the front of my dress and began rooting around.

A handful of damp packets later, I reached the gum. Punching a piece through the plastic, I popped it in my mouth. A sound which Todd took to mean he had the all clear. When he turned, he looked at the pile of candy in my hand. “You fit all that in your⁠—”

“Told you I could handle a knife. Want one?”

“I might be on my way,” Jack warned, “but the earpieces are still recording.”

The mint was fresh on my breath as I replied, “No knives here. Just a few packets of sweaty candy.”

“Do I even want to know?” The blink of the turn signal clicked in the background. “Scratch that. We’ll debrief at the motel. One minute out.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” Eyes closed, I rolled my aching shoulders and tilted my head to the sky, stretching. When I was done, I found Todd half a step closer. “What?” I signed.

“We need to set the record straight before Jack arrives.”

Record? What record? As far as I was aware there was nothing that needed clarification. What I needed was for the night to end, and for Todd to forget all about this embarrassing interaction.

“I don’t feel sorry for you, Delilah. I’m grateful.” He let out a slow breath, rubbing his neck where I’d all but stabbed him with my stiletto. “If you need. If you want—” He growled to himself trying to find the words. “If you ever decide to share the truth, I’m here.”

Well… didn’t that feel nice. Even if he was calling out my lies. And I had the perfect way to change the subject. “Truth is,” I smiled a wicked smile, “I owe you a punch.”

“What? No punching!” Jack interjected, “Delilah?”

But it was too late, my arm was already in motion.