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“This isn’t a board meeting. But if it were, I’d make a motion for you to shut the fuck up. All in favor?”
I shake my head. “Your arrogance will catch up with you eventually. Trust me. I was your age once and I was arrogant as fuck.”
“Oh, and you’re not anymore?” Her annoying, condescending smile is back. “Mr. I-Can-Seduce-You-in-a-Freight-Train?”
“I am still arrogant.” I’m not proud of my loud, obviously bothered tone. “But I can admit it. And I’ll never be as arrogant as you, Ms. Every-Man-Drops-to-His-Knees-for-Me.”
She screws the cap back on her bottle of nail polish. “I’m glad we did this. It’s all out in the open now.”
“Yeah, that was great.” I flick a glare in her direction. “Your nails look like shit.”
“You wound me. I thought this clear nail polish would change everything for me.”
“I make a motion that we spend the rest of this ride in total silence.”
“Seconded.”
“Great. Now be quiet.”
“You first.”
There are so many things I want to say. But I press my lips together, keeping my control. I’m not the guy who fires before aiming. Some people are just naturally abrasive, and Abby is clearly in that group. She wants to bait me so I’ll fight back.
Instead, I ball up my jacket and use it as a pillow, leaning against the stack of crates on my other side.
I’m the ILF’s best shot at getting to my father. I’ll work with Abby for now, but as soon as I have enough leverage to get a new partner, I’m going to. And I’ll enjoy the hell out of her expression when I tell her.
36
“I know you would have been here if you could. We had so many dreams for our life together. If the world had to end, I wish I could have died in your arms. I’ll see you in my dreams. I love you.” Unsent note written by Hannah Carrington to Pax Thatcher
Amira
The ILF people won’t give me a bow. It’s wise of them. Although it’s unlikely I could break through all their layers of security with just a bow and a quiver of arrows, I’m enraged enough to give it my best effort.
Instead, I’m walking around the track. The worn surface has gravel patches here and there, the banners listing records in the former university’s stadium tattered to shreds. A light drizzle is falling, but I don’t mind.
Lap after lap, I ruminate on my situation. I call out to Briar through our link, but I can’t sense her.
I assumed she was dead when I couldn’t reach her before. This time, I know she’s okay. I feel it.
It’s been a full day since Evander came to my room. I couldn’t sleep, so I’ve been circling the track for hours. The sun is blotted out by the murky gray sky, which is a perfect match for my mood.
I’m rounding a corner when I see someone approaching. He’s lanky and blond, wearing a dark hoodie and jeans. I stop, crossing my arms and waiting for him to reach me.
My heart gallops nervously. I hope this isn’t bad news.
When the man gets closer, he smiles. He’s handsome, his teeth white and his thick hair wavy from the mist.
“Amira, I’m Jeff.”
He passes me something small wrapped in brown paper, and I recognize it immediately. I swipe it with a smile.
“Diego’s Jeff?”
He nods, his grin making a dimple pop on one cheek. I bring the chocolate bar up to my nose and inhale its smooth, intoxicating scent.
“This is a major perk of imprisonment here,” I say, tucking the chocolate into my pocket. “Thank you.”
