Page 68 of Savage Throne
Jo’s voice called out from the other side. “Come in.”
Duck waited for me in the hallway.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
Despite the extra beds that had been squeezed into the room, it still appeared spacious.
TT was sprawled across one bed with printed photos of the puzzle treasure map scattered around her. Moni had said she would get obsessed with this and I could see it happening already.
Should I make TT put those photos up and go to sleep?
Chloe lounged on another bed, talking softly into her phone.
On the other side of the room, Jo stood at the window with her back to me as she stared out into the dark night.
Alright. What do I do? Just. . .check on them and what?
Chloe glanced up as I entered and immediately told whoever was on the other end of the call. “I have to go. Talk soon.”
She hung up and sat up straighter. Her gaze was wary but curious.
TT looked up from her photos. A small smile lit up her face. “Lei!”
Jo left the window and approached slowly with her hands on her hips. “Have you heard anything about Moni?”
My heart twisted in my chest. “No. Not yet. I just wanted to check in on you all, make sure you’re comfortable.”
Jo gave a stiff nod, but the tension in her body didn’t ease. “When you hear something, are you going to let us know?”
“Of course.”
Chloe stared at me with guarded hope, as if expecting me to say something that would make everything better.
But what could I say?
I was grasping at straws, trying to hold it together while the woman I loved was in the hands of a madman.
“So. . .” I cleared my throat. “You all have everything you need?”
They nodded.
“And uh. . .well. . .” I ran my fingers through my hair.
Jo widened her eyes. “You look scared. Should we be scared too?”
TT shook her head. “No. He looks sad, very sad.”
“Yeah.” I slowly nodded. “I’m sad and maybe a little scared, but. . .that’s how I am when she’s not around, so. . .no need to match my energy.”
“Welcome to the party.” Chloe shrugged. “When Moni is gone things just feel. . .off balance.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “That’s how I feel.”
TT gave me a sad smile. “It will be okay tomorrow.”
“Correct.” I bobbed my head. “So. . .we all should head to bed and get some rest. That is the theme of this hour.”
“Just go to sleep like everything is cool?” Jo put her hands in her pockets. “Banks said the same thing and tried to tuck us in bed. No way.”
