Oh, glory. Nana had destroyed me with her declaration, but Cole...Cole was utterly slaying me....
“There’s a difference between you and Mr. Ankh,” I said with a soft smile. “You know I can defend myself, and you trust me to make smart decisions. Isn’t that right, Mr. Holland?” Eew. No way I’d use the name reserved for his father.
Backtrack. “Mr. Cole.”
He tugged on a lock of my hair. “That’s right. Therefore, I will girl up, as Kat likes to say, since that’s apparently better than manning up, and I will let you go—”
“Wait. You’ll let me?” I interjected with attitude.
“—without a fight,” he finished. “Besides, I wasn’t asking if I could come with you. I was telling you I’d be by your side.”
Le sigh. His determination was kicking up a fuss again. “What’s your blood pressure? Do you have a temperature? Are you even steady on your feet?”
He smiled and said, “Reason number thirteen. You always ask way too many questions.”
Of all the things I’d expected him to say, that didn’t even come close. He definitely had to be feverish. “That’s a reason you love me?”
“See? Another question. But yes, it is. It’s charming.”
Well, he was the only one who thought so. Other people found it off-putting. And that was being kind!
I leaned over and kissed his brow, careful not to brush against his injury, then pressed my brow into his. “Don’t think the fact that you avoided discussing your condition has escaped my notice. But I’ll let it slide...and I’ll let you come with me. As long as you stay in the car.”
“Let me?”
“Oh, good. Your ears are working.”
The softness faded from his expression, fierce protectiveness taking its place—as well as cold-blooded aggression.
The aggression wasn’t directed at me, I knew, but at Anima.
“Let’s play a little game I like to call Cole’s in Charge and Ali’s Not.”
“Pass! Played it before, hated every second.”
The flash of another grin. “You know I think you hung the moon, right?”
“Right. Just like I know you held the ladder and looked up my skirt.”
“But you’re not going to talk me out of this,” he continued. “So, go down, speak with Ankh. I’ll get dressed.”
Stubborn boy. “I’d offer to take out your IV, but that would make me an enabler.”
“Won’t be the first time I’ve removed one myself.”
The Care and Feeding of an Alpha Male 101. Sometimes, you just had to humor them. “Fine. Have fun with that.”
“Don’t leave without me,” he commanded as I stood. “I mean it.”
“Fine, fine.” I held up my hands, all innocence. “I’ll wait for you to come downstairs.”
Moving as fast as lightning, he leaned forward and hooked me by the nape, tugging my face to his. He kissed me hard and fast—no innocent forehead peck for this boy, not this time—and I moaned at his ferocity. “Also, don’t even think about sedating me.”
“Fine,” I snapped. He was severely limiting my options.
I left the room and stalked down the stairs, texting Nana along the way. I just couldn’t help myself.
I love U. So much. One day, I hope U’ll 4give me.
She’d wake up...wherever, and the note would be waiting for her.
I sent her a second message. 1st update. I’ve seen Cole & he’s back 2 his bossy self. I’ve set Kat & Reeve free, & now I’m going 2 chat w/Ankh then find rest of slayers. I’ll B careful, swear!
Mr. Ankh and the girls were in the kitchen, eating sandwiches.
Not one to waste time, I explained my search and rescue plan while slapping together a PB&J. The conversation went better—and worse—than I’d hoped. Before I’d even finished, Mr. Ankh was shaking his head. I didn’t let that stop me, however. The fact was, I didn’t just need Kat and Reeve. They needed me. They’d rather die than stay behind.
“No,” he said. “You’re too recognizable. Anima will see you, follow you and then kill you all.”
I could suggest we spend a few hours dyeing our hair, altering our appearance, but even that wasn’t a guarantee we’d escape notice. “With this supposed increase of gang violence, the police will be everywhere. Anima wouldn’t dare try anything in public.” I hoped.
“It’s too dangerous,” he insisted. “Kat is sick. She needs rest and relaxation, not—”
“Hey! Don’t make me pimp-slap you, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. A. Because I will.” Kat raised her hand to prove she meant business. “I’m ready to roll.”
He pursed his lips, as if he’d just sucked on a lemon. “I’m not an unreasonable man.”
Ha!
“And I know the others need to be found. So, I’ll go with Ali, and you girls will stay here.”
Uh, that would be a big fat no. He played by the rules. We made our own. “Don’t worry. We’ll have a bodyguard. Cole is coming with us.”
“Cole? Hardly.” Mr. Ankh rubbed his forehead. To ward off an ache? “That boy needs rest just as much as Miss Parker does.”