“Trying.” Kade gives her a pitiful smile.
She glares at him again, her nostrils flaring. She doesn’t have time to do anything about it because Riley steps right into her space and starts wagging his finger at her. He does that when he’s processing. “So, you’re a she, but we’re all supposed to believe you’re a he, because someone’s trying to kill you?”
Chris’s expression deflates, the color draining from her skin.
I reach forward and squeeze her shoulder, murmuring to Ry, “Witness protection.”
Kade’s expression buckles with concern while Riley gives me a surprised look and then starts nodding.
There’s nothing like a good mystery to that guy.
Chris flicks my hand off her shoulder with a heavy sigh. Holding her head in her hands, she flops onto the end of Riley’s bed and lets out a reluctant groan before mumbling, “I can’t tell you anything. I’ve been put here by government agents, okay? I’m hiding here because it’s safe…apparently.” She scoffs, lightly pressing her nose and no doubt thinking of Ivan.
I move around her legs and take a seat beside her. Gently resting my hand on her lower back, I give it a rub. “We’re not going to say anything. I promise. No one will figure it out.”
“You did.”
“Only by accident.” My cheeks heat as I picture her standing under that hot spray, water running over her luscious curves. “I never would have known otherwise.”
“Oh, come on. I’m so obviously different and pathetic and weird. People aren’t stupid. They’ll figure it out eventually.” She points at Riley. “He just said it’s so obvious.”
“Now that I know,” Riley interjects, trying to make her feel better.
It doesn’t work. She looks miserable. I want to comfort her but I’m not sure what to say.
“You know…” Kade takes a seat opposite her, perching his butt on the edge of his bed and tapping her knee with his knuckle. “Everything you’ve just said is true.”
I kick his foot and give him a you’re not helping glare.
He rolls his eyes. “Come on, man, you know it is. Ivan’s after her because she’s a pathetic, wimpy loser. Everyone thinks she’s weird, which makes people curious. Soon enough, someone might work it out.”
“Please don’t,” Chris whimpers. “Don’t look into why I’m here. Don’t try to figure me out. I just need to be anonymous. I need to blend in.”
Riley crouches down beside her. “We can help you do that.”
She glances at his face, lightly brushing her finger over his cheek. “Why would you want to help me? You must think I’m such a dick after going psycho at you.”
He smiles, pushing the blond hair off his forehead. “I don’t know what your problem was the other day, but you’re not a dick. You don’t even have one.” He winks and she lets out a watery laugh, hiding her face in her hands and letting out a muffled scream.
I rub her back and look at Ry and Kade. They both nod and I give them a grateful smile.
“These guys are right, Chris. We can help you. Right now, you’re acting like a wimpy guy. We need to man you up.”
“Teach you how to act.” Kade slaps her knee.
Riley lightly punches her arm. “Teach you how to defend yourself.”
“Get rid of that wet-fish punch you’ve got going on.”
She frowns at me and drives her fist into my side. I clench my abs and barely feel the hit. She lets out a disgusted huff and shakes her hand out.
“Don’t worry about it.” I kiss the side of her head. “The best thing about you is that you’ve got fight.”
Riley nods. “You wouldn’t be in this situation if you didn’t.”
A slow smile tugs at Kade’s lips as he winks at Chris. “We can work with fight.”
Holding her breath, Chris looks between the three of us and for the first time since she arrived at Eton, I think I see a spark of hope in her eyes.
#23:
Boot Camp - Brotherhood Style
Christiana
The school is unnervingly quiet.
Everyone left for Thanksgiving break yesterday afternoon, with a few stragglers heading out this morning. I gaze out the upper window, staring down at Ivan as he gets into a sleek black Mercedes. The back windows are tinted, hiding him as soon as the door slams shut.
The car rolls away from the school and my chest deflates with relief. It’s only for a week, but it’ll be a sweet reprieve. The coil inside me has been wound so damn tight, my fists clenched in readiness as I round each corner.