Page 127 of Gunnar

“Okay.”

She settles again, closer this time, her leg sliding over mine, her hand tightening in my shirt.

I keep her there, close.

After a while, her breathing slows, her weight growing heavier against me.

I stay awake a little longer, listening to it.

Making sure she’s asleep.

Then I close my eyes.

25

Alexandria

“What are you up to?” Gunnar asks as I wander into the kitchen to fill up my water bottle. He’s sitting at the kitchen table, taking something apart, pieces spread out in front of him.

The lodge is quieter these days. No one’s watching me like I’m about to disappear.

“Going for a hike,” I say over my shoulder.

I stand at the sink, faucet gushing. But I feel his gaze burning into me.

“That okay?”

I hold my breath, a spot between my shoulder blades tingling.

I turn around. “Is it?”

“Huh?”

“I said, is it okay?”

He shrugs. “Of course. You can go wherever you want.”

“Oh. Okay.” I’m almost disappointed.

I look at him suspiciously. “What if I get lost? Aren’t you worried?” It’s three days since he took out the mafia boss and he’s barely let me out of his sight—correction—he’s barely let me out of his bed.

He puts down his tools. “I’ll find you,” he says in a voice that reverberates right through me. “Have fun.”

“Thanks.” I put my water bottle in my backpack.

As I pass the hallway, Orson’s door is open. He’s there, sitting on the end of his bed.

His eyes flick to me.

“You heading out?”

“Yeah.”

He nods. “Don’t do anything stupid. You’re a pain in the ass to keep alive.”

I crook an eyebrow. “Wow, is that concern?”

He gives one of his rare grins. “Don’t push it.”