I mustered a smile. She was slurring more and starting to slouch. I had to fight the urge to forcibly wedge her into the passenger seat.
Daryn twisted her hair to one side, and her fingers drifted over the chain. “You know what’s really beautiful? Feeling what another person feels. Feeling all their love and their fears … It’s all just so beautiful, you know? Life?”
I didn’t even know what to make of that, so I nodded.
She stared at me for a few seconds. “It’s possible that I could topple over.”
“Then get in the freaking car, Daryn.”
“Would you catch me?”
“Of course I would.”
“What about right now? Will you catch me before I fall?”
That knocked the air out of my lungs. Literally. A first for me. Lots of firsts all of a sudden.
I stepped toward her, half expecting her to ask me what I was doing, but the second I put my arms around her, she burrowed against my chest like I was her favorite pillow. Then I had one of those moments where time compresses, like your thoughts are having a car wreck, everything fast but slow. And I saw these images—fast-roping, blueberry pancakes, fire horse charging, bone knives flying, gorgeous girl making a nest out of my shirt with her face. Which was now. Happening right now.
She smelled amazing, like spring smells, cool, rain, flowers. And it felt incredible having her so close. I just really liked her close.
I cleared my throat. “How you doing there, boss?”
“I’m so good. Guys give the best hugs.”
“Um … guys do?”
She laughed.
“You’re really messing with me right now?”
“Guilty.”
Yep. Liked her.
She gave me more of her weight. I was almost holding her upright now. It felt like she was drifting away somewhere, on a tide I couldn’t see.
“You feel good, Gideon,” she said. “I knew you would. That’s why I didn’t want thisss—” She went limp.
I pulled her against me and went through a hundred different scenarios in my mind in a second before I forced myself to chill out, take a breath. She’d told me not to worry, that she’d be fine, and as much as she kept secrets, I didn’t think she’d lie about that.
I turned my back to Marcus and Sebastian. They weren’t close but if I could’ve become a tank around her, I’d have done it. Shifting around a little, I tried to get it so she’d be more on my shoulder, which seemed better. More comfortable for her.
Then there was nothing left to do but count down.
Three hundred, two ninety-nine, two-ninety eight, two—
CHAPTER 28
“You don’t have to count all the way down for us, Gideon,” Cordero says.
“I wasn’t going to.” I swallow, clearing my throat. Letting that morning fade back and this pine room fade in. “I was just trying to give you an idea. Five minutes feels like a long time when you’re counting every second.”
Cordero laces her fingers together. “I can imagine. I didn’t mean to interrupt. Please continue. The creature you mentioned—the one with the wings. Was it one of the Kindred?”
I nod. “He’s called Alevar. Creepy little dude. But I’m going to need a health break before I go any further.”
I do need to use the facilities, but I also need a moment. The memory of being with Daryn is so real, it’s like I can still feel her head on my chest. I have to shake it off. I just need a second to lock it back down.
Cordero frowns. “Health break?”
I was trying to be tactful but I guess she wants details, which I can respect. “I gotta hit the head. And trust me. You don’t want to keep War away from a toilet when he needs one.”
Texas and Beretta laugh right away. They know I’m messing around, but I’ve really scared the civvie. The look on Cordero’s face is priceless.
“I’m just playing with you, Cordero. I drank all that water. It’s just biology. You know. Natural.”
“Five-minute break.” Cordero pushes up from her desk. “You know your orders,” she says to Texas. “Make sure everyone is on alert.”
“I don’t have to go that bad.”
She stops at the door, her dark eyes shining as she glances back. “You don’t want to push me too far, Gideon.”
“Warning stands,” Texas says as he unfastens my bindings. “Don’t try anythin’ stupid.” But he sounds more casual than before. He’s getting a sense for who I am. I have no intention of trying anything, and I think he knows that.
He drops the hood over my head and I muffle a groan. There’s really nothing that compares to the sweat and vomit scent combo. Not even Cordero’s perfume.
“What is it, kid?” he says.
“Hood stinks.”
“Least it’s your stink,” Beretta says, and they both laugh.
Texas helps me to my feet. My legs feel spongy from the drugs and because it’s been a while since I’ve moved. My first few steps weave. Texas grabs my elbow in a vise grip. He doesn’t let go as he walks beside me, issuing commands.
Forward three paces.
Down two steps.