Before I can respond to that, Cassie is dragged away by the medic. My last glimpse of her : laughing eyes, a sliver of a smile, and shiny pink hair.
I swear she’s her own person and that . . .
It’s kind of scary. When she was a kid, she was mine. But now she’s sixteen, and she’s figuring out who she is.
I don’t have time to think of it. Veah is suddenly in front of me, her voice gentle.
I wish we had time to get you cleaned up, she says, but . . .
But the Yakuza might send backup and we need to leave soon ?
The airplane is already waiting for us, she says softly. Are you good to go ?
Yeah, I say. Justone last thing.
I search out Tommy’s curly hair and piercing blue eyes in the crowd. At six foot four, he stands a head taller than anyone, and it’s not hard to find him.
Kaya ?
Before he has a chance to stop mealthough I know he wouldn’t, Tommy is a sucker for hugsI throw my arms around him tightly and breathe in his pine scent.
He must know about me leaving, because he says, You know, the way she looked when you didn’t come back and everyone else did . . . she was willing to do anything for you. She’ll take care of you . . . and you He lets out a laugh. Your idiot ass definitely needs that.
I’m adding another cinnamon bun to your apology list.
I’m looking forward to it, and in the meantime ?
Yeah ?
Do me a favour and just make out with her in the back of some car. As soon as possible. You’ve got something going on.
The younger of Jude and Hunter’s daughterKiarais passing by, and just close enough to hear.
She grins devilishly. Make out ? You better fuck that girl, and hard. She’s hot.
Like a devil summoned, Hunter appears with blazing eyes. You did not just say what I think you did, young lady ! You’re fourteen !
Before I can witness Hunter’s terrifying rampage, Veah whisks me awayand I take one last look at the Underground.
There was no way I could know I’d never see it again.
When we get to the private landing strip, Veah opens the car door for me. Wincing when she sees my face.
What ? That bad ? I say, laying my fingertips over the sensitive skin of my forehead.
Veah just shakes her head wordlessly, helping me out of the taxi. She closes the door behind me, and the sky is bright with distant thunder. The storm that has been brewing for close to a week.
Tokyo, huh ? I say weakly, as we board the plane.
Tokyo, the pilot agrees. He looks vaguely familiar
Veah leads me towards the back before I can take a closer look.
I’ve never been on an airplane before, and I think this is a bad time to mention it.
I think I’m just going to sleep, I say weakly. Maybe lay down a little . . .
Veah’s eyes widen. A reflection of the rain outside. No ! she says sharply. Your head injury. And . . . you’re bleeding.
I am suddenly reminded of her bullet wound.
Hey, that gunshot, I say. The world is spinning. Did I sew it up okay ?
You did perfect, she says, reclining me back. I hear the clatter of bandages and medicine bottles. Swallow these.
I down the Tylenol in one shot. You know, my sister said a funny thing . . .
Why is my mouth still moving ? Why am I still talking ?
Don’t you dare, Kaya. Don’t you dare bring up that funny thing
Oh, yeah ? Veah murmurs, patting my wounds with a alcohol. What’s that ?
I hiss between my teeth at the sting.
She said . . . that the tension between us . . . could suffocate anyone in a thirty-mile radius . . .
Veah chuckles softly. Is the airplane moving ? It might be.
Suddenly, I’m terrified. I clutch Veah’s hand, focusing her attention thereand slowly, her eyes drift up to mine. Grey and lashed with ink black.
She is so, so beautiful.
I am attracted to her.
Fuck. I’m attracted her.
She said I should jump your bones, I blurt out.
Veah blinks once, betraying none of the surprise she must feel. Okay, she says, humming, and she bandages my stinging flesh.
Okay ? Is this . . . is that . . . disappointment burrowing in my bones ?
Is that all she has to say ?
Well, she continues, making a noncommittal voice in her throat. Usually I wait until the fifth date to jump a girl’s bones.
The . . . fifth date ?
Get it together, Kaya.
You know, after we both get hunted down by the most dangerous crime syndicate in the world.
Kiara said I should fuck you hard.
What is coming out of my mouth ?
I can’t even muster the conscience to blush. Her fingertips graze lightly over my skin, eliciting a soft gasp. Her touch on me . . . it’s strangely intimate.
Really ? Veah murmurs. She said that ?
And that you were hot.
This time, she laughs softly.
Pressure begins to build, and for a moment I imagine it really is the tension between us. But then the seats begin to vibrate, and I feela sudden sickness, clutching my stomach.
The plane, I breathe. Is it taking off ?
Her eyes search mine. Are you alright ?
I’ve never been on a plane before, I admit. I . . . I’m scared.