“You told me it means eat.” He glanced at her. “Did I use it wrong?”
“No, you got it right.” My hands tightened into fists.
“I may vomit,” Gigi moaned.
“Not in here.” He shot her a look. “Anyways, I have tons of information.”
“Share later,” I said through a yawn. “For now, I think you should get us to the safe house.”
Everyone agreed, wanting breakfast and sleep. He nodded, and the car lurched forward as the sun broke over the buildings.
#
Mira
The Council’s safe house took up a whole floor of an upscale apartment building somewhere in Brooklyn. After we found a spot in the building’s parking garage, I forced myself to get out of the car, trudge over to the elevator, and stay awake until we reached our destination.
Jax and Kerry took all our bags, found bedrooms, and dumped them off while the rest of us piled into the kitchen and scavenged for breakfast. There wasn’t much to choose from, and Jax began a grocery list.
When I nodded off over my bowl of milk-less cereal, Rome took my elbow, made me stand up, and dragged me off toward the bedrooms.
“Don’t get used to bossing me around.” I yawned as I followed him. “I’m too worn out to fight, that’s all.”
“I know. I promise we can fight later if you want. I should get some points on my impress-you score for taking care of you, though.”
“All right. Five points.”
“Five whole points, huh? Jeez, baby girl. That’s harsh.”
He opened the bedroom door and gently propelled me through with a hand at the small of my back.
“I didn’t get to finish my cereal,” I mumbled as I fell onto one of the room’s two queen beds.
10. More Than I Deserve
Mira
I wallowed in the bath until the water got too cold. When I finally climbed out, wrinkled as a raisin, I felt calm and capable again. I dug around in my backpack for clean clothes, dressed, and combed out my hair. Taking a deep breath, I tugged on my boots—my precious red knee-highs—and went looking for the others.
I had some people to thank.
Again.
As I walked down the hall, I caught sight of Rome’s broad back as he entered a different bedroom and I picked up the pace.
“Hey,” I called as his door started to close. “Are you busy?”
He swiveled and poked his head around the jamb, his eyes sweeping over me before he smiled.
“Nah. Come on in.” He held the door open. I walked in and the door swung shut behind me. “I scoped the building out and found a gym on the first floor. I came back up to grab my gear. Want to join me?”
He looked at me, his face inviting, so I nodded.
“Yeah, sure. Thanks.” I moistened my lips before I continued. “Uh, and thank you for saving me a second time.”
I reached out, intending to touch his arm, but he turned away and my hand was left hanging in the air between us.
“Kerry’s the one who paid for you and got you out.” He shrugged one big shoulder. “Thank him. All I did was wait in the car.”
