Everyone lingered in the lobby because Ethan and Isabelle had yet to appear. Grey remained close, his watchful gaze studying me. I never let any of the emotions churning behind the wall show. It didn’t matter. He always seemed to know when I struggled. And, I was struggling mightily. I needed to see Isabelle, to talk to her, to witness some real attraction or interest from her. I needed to know I mattered more than that damn boy.
While I slow-boiled, the rest of the members of our group moved around the room talking quietly. Well, everyone but Jim. Only Charlene’s sharp looks kept him from getting any louder about being hungry.
A whisper of noise gave away Isabelle’s impending arrival. My pulse increased in anticipation. When she emerged from the hallway, I ignored the male at her side and focused solely on her. She carried her bag over her shoulder and wore a fresh change of clothes. From a distance, I could smell the hotel conditioner on her hair. My fingers shook with need.
Easy, son, Grey sent me. You’ll get your time with her. We’ll make sure of it. First though, we need to feed her. Right?
Conversation quieted.
“We thought we might go out for breakfast,” Winifred said as the pair approached her.
“Good,” Ethan said. “I’m starving.”
Jim snorted and started for the door. I would have hung back to walk with her, but Grey nodded for me to follow.
After we dropped our luggage off at the vehicles, the group started toward a nearby restaurant. Isabelle and Ethan trailed behind. I couldn’t see her, but I could hear her. The pace of her pulse. The soft whisper of her breath. I was hyperaware of her in my desperation. So, I heard when Ethan said she needed a jacket.
“We’ll be warm enough once we’re eating or back in the car,” she said.
A subtle shiver ran through me at the thought of the impending car ride.
Inside the small restaurant, everyone claimed their seats. Isabelle and Ethan were quick to claim spots across from Grey and me. After the waitress took our orders, the pair started playing games on the back of their placemats. Each laugh, each teasing comment, clawed at my insides.
As soon as the food arrived, Emmitt asked for the bill, and everyone ate quickly. My skin tingled with anticipation as we left.
“Ethan,” Winifred said as we walked. “Could I speak with you for a moment?”
When Isabelle slowed to join Ethan and Winifred, Winifred waved Isabelle ahead.
“It’s all right, Isabelle. You go walk with Gabby.”
Isabelle moved ahead to walk with Gabby. I remained in the middle of the group, listening to Winifred.
“There are some things that Michelle tried telling Isabelle that she wasn’t willing or ready to hear.”
“Like she should hook up with one of you guys?” Ethan asked. “I bet not.”
“We don’t hook up, Ethan. We partner for life. Not like humans who stay together even when miserable. We commit to each other at a level that won’t allow misery in our chosen partner. It’s complete dedication to the one individual we can’t live without.”
Ethan remained quiet behind us.
“It’s normal for us. But, for Michelle, Charlene, Gabby, and Bethi, it was hard for them to understand why one of our kind might be interested in them.”
“Why are they interested?”
“That’s what I really want to talk about. But, it will take some time, and I don’t think it’s something Isabelle’s willing to hear.”
“You’re asking me to leave her alone with him so we can talk.”
He was pretty smart.
“I am. She’ll be safe with Carlos.”
He snorted. “It’s not her safety I’m worried about.”
When we reached the vehicles, Isabelle paused by the car we’d used the day before and looked back at Ethan.
“Z, I’m going to ride in the party bus and give you a break for a bit. Have the big guy pull over if you need something.”
Her shock came through her scent and her expression. Thomas, Charlene, Jim, Emmitt, and Michelle climbed into one car. Sam, Gabby, Clay, Bethi, Luke, and Grey disappeared into the eight-passenger SUV. Winifred and Ethan headed that way, too.
Isabelle turned her head and glared at me before moving toward the front passenger seat. I’d known she wouldn’t like the switch but hoped Winifred’s talk with Ethan would help in the long run. Hoped that he would help her see what Michelle had tried to tell her…Isabelle was meant to be with me.
She didn’t speak as I got in but continued to frown at me. It wasn’t until we passed city limits that she found her voice.
“So, this is how we’re playing it? I ask for a room that doesn’t include you, and you finagle a car ride alone with me? What are you hoping to prove? How fast you can piss me off?”
My fingers twitched on the steering wheel as I struggled to control the anger behind the wall. She wasn’t even trying to understand us. Me.
“I thought we could talk,” I said.
“About what?”
“Michelle said she spoke to you.”
The scent of her anger increased.
“About what, exactly?”
The wall weakened at her continued avoidance of what I knew she felt.
“I know you feel the pull. I see it every time you look at me. Why are you fighting it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What pull?” She tried to sound confused, but her scent and pulse gave her away. She was lying, trying to hide what she felt.
“Do you know why we’re alone in this car?” I asked.
“No clue. Fill me in.”
“I’m barely in control, Isabelle. Grey thought you’d be safer if I was busy driving.” I looked away from the road to watch her reaction. “But you’re not.”
Her gaze flicked between me and the road.
“Okay. Okay. Just look at the road already.”
I continued to look at her.
“Tonight, when we stop, we’ll go back to four rooms. Not five. Do you understand?”
Her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed with rage.
“If you value Ethan’s safety—”
She reached out, grabbed the steering wheel, and yanked it to the right. Because she’d taken me by surprise, the car swerved dangerously before I regained control and pulled to the shoulder. Anger didn’t begin to describe how her recklessness affected me. I looked at her.
“Don’t ever try to threaten me,” she said in a low voice.
“Don’t ever risk your safety again.”
I couldn’t gentle my tone. I would have survived, but she might not have if the car had rolled.
She shivered at my words then the tension eased from around her eyes. The anger and resentment left her scent. Something replaced it.
I inhaled slowly, in disbelief, and my grip on the steering wheel tightened. Interest. Hers.
A wave of need crashed over the wall, and I watched her pupils dilate again. It didn’t matter that her reaction was because of what I’d let escape. I needed her. And I’d take her any way I could get her.
Lifting my hand, I reached out for her. She closed her eyes and leaned into my touch. My heart beat hard as I stroked her cheek. So soft and smooth. She opened her eyes, and our gazes locked as I slowly dragged my finger along her jaw.
An agonized expression crossed her face before she turned her head from me. I wanted to growl and force her to stop fighting what she felt. My fingers twitched on her skin.
Suddenly the back door opened, and the car dipped as Grey got in.
“I think you two need a chaperone,” Grey said, closing the door.
I pulled back what had escaped and watched Isabelle’s pupils return to normal. I didn’t miss her shaky exhale. Frustration pooled behind the wall at her continued resistance.
“Did Carlos manage to discuss anything with you?” Grey asked. “I’m guessing it’s the reason behind the swerve and the sudden stop.”
I turned back toward the road, checked my mirrors, then signaled. A distance ahead of us, Jim eased from the shoulder and started driving again. I followed.
“You two are a chatty pair,” Grey said with humor.
“We’re not a pair,” Isabelle said before looking out the window.
I hope Winifred is getting through to the boy, I sent Grey.
I think she is. But he won’t speak on your behalf. Isabelle would never listen if he did.
A pain started in my chest. The steady ache chewed on my dying heart.
That just means she needs more time to get to know you, Grey sent when I remained quiet.
“You’ve been with us a handful of days. You know we’re different from you, but you haven’t asked any questions. Aren’t you curious about us?” he asked aloud.
“No.” Her word was clipped and dismissive.
“I’m curious about you. Will you tell me about yourself?”
“What do you want to know?”
She doesn’t want to talk, I sent Grey.
Then she’s a lot like you. I could feel the humor behind his words.
“What’s your favorite color?”
She seems surprised at his question and some of her defensive tension faded.
“I don’t know. Blue?” she said.
Grey laughed.
“You sound like Carlos. I’m guessing you’ve never given something like that any thought because there were always too many other things that needed your attention. My favorite color is green. Blue would be a runner-up. What about a favorite food?”
“I don’t have a favorite food. I have a food trinity. Pizza, burgers, and cereal. I could survive forever on all three.”
“Burgers are good,” Grey agreed. “Have you ever had a fajita? Those are good, too. I think my trinity would be Carlos’ fajitas, burgers, and Winifred’s cookies.”
Just as quickly as it had faded, the defensive tensions returned.
“I appreciate the conversation, but I think I’m going to try to take a nap. I’m not a fan of long, boring car rides.”
She curled up on the seat, leaned against the door, and closed her eyes. Any other attempt at conversation, she ignored until she fell asleep.
Grey didn’t seem bothered by her refusal to talk more. He was patient like that.
The car remained quiet for over an hour before the lead car accelerated, and Grey suddenly leaned forward in his seat.
“Carlos, get ready to turn left.”
Don’t fall behind, he warned silently.
He set his hands on Isabelle’s shoulders to steady her as I took a sharp turn to follow the lead car. She didn’t stay sleeping.
“What’s going on?” She looked back at Grey.
“Gabby didn’t like the way they were netting to the north. She thinks we can pass by to the west. But it’s a small window, and we need to get there as quickly as possible.”
“How close are they?”
“Close enough that Carlos is willing to speed.”
She looked over at the speedometer. We were going close to eighty now on the back roads. Even though there weren’t any other cars in sight, the speed was still dangerous for her. But not as dangerous as being sighted by the dogs searching for her.
The scent of her fear tickled my nose. I glanced over and saw her tight grip on the door.
“We might not make it,” Grey said from the back.
“How many are we talking?” she asked.
“Five.”
Her worry vanished.
“There are fifteen of us, right? Why are we freaking out over five Urbat?” She looked back at Grey.
“Right now, none of them know where we are. If we’re spotted, they’ll all know.”
The next few minutes passed in silence. We turned twice before hopping onto a highway. As soon as we hit the ramp, Grey sat back.
“Now, we were talking about favorite foods, weren’t we?” he said.
Isabelle sighed and curled up in her seat again.
“What kind of music do you like?” he asked, not giving up.
“It depends on my mood.”
Her tone indicated there would be no further explanation offered. Grey winked at me in the mirror. He’d played this game with me far too much as a child.
“Do you like rainy days or sunny ones?” he asked, undeterred.
“Rainy.”
“Are you a morning person or a late-night person?”
“Neither. I’d rather sleep all day.”
“What—”
“Is the point of all these questions?” She turned to look at Grey.
“You’re only encouraging him,” I said. The whole point was to get under her skin until she started talking. Isabelle, however, outmaneuvered him with her next words.
“One more question, and I knock you out.”