Am I inviting a monster inside?
I push the thought away, remembering how kind and gentle he’s been, although dangerous at the same time—making him incredibly fascinating, but terrifying.
I open the door that leads into the dimly lit kitchen, and with a quick flick of the lock behind me, River and I both stand face-to-face in silence, except for the sound of rain wrapping on the windows. His black hoodie pulled up over his head, while his face is masked once again. Without a word, he walks into my living room and takes a seat on the couch. With one leg bent across the other he leans back and crosses his arms as if waiting for me to speak first.
The pounding from my heart now pulses through my eardrums from fear, or maybe excitement. I can’t tell yet.
“I need you to put this on.” His arm extends, handing me the black duffle bag.
Taking a step in stride, I walk from the hardwood floor onto the plush carpet.
With a slight shake, I reach out to take the bag from him. His fingers brush against mine, sending electricity shooting down my spine. Our eyes meet for a moment before both dart away.
I clear my throat. “What is this?” I ask, unzipping it.
“Your outfit for tonight. You need to change and we don’t have a lot of time.”
“Now?” I ask. “It’s late.”
“You asked if you could help, right?” When I nod, he continues. “Then, for once, stop asking questions and do as I ask. I’ll explain after.”
My brows furrow at his command. I hate being told what to do and the thought to protest eats at me, but I realize the faster I get changed, the closer I am to getting answers.
“Fine.” I quickly step into the guest bathroom and change into the long-sleeved black sweater, matching joggers, and running shoes. I take a look at myself in the mirror, noticing a glow to my skin and feel a flutter in my chest. The exhilaration of it has me almost bouncing on the balls of my feet ready to jump out of my skin.
Running my hands along the fabric hugging my curves, a thought forms. These clothes are in my exact size. How does he know my size?
When I walk back into the living room, River’s typing on his phone, lost in whoever he’s talking to.
“Better?” I hold my arms out before doing a full turn for him.
“Perfect.”
I can feel my cheeks heat at his comment, but I brush it away, trying not to read into it.
“How did you know my size?” I ask curiosity getting the best of me.
A light chuckles escapes from behind his mask. “Lucky guess.”
“Lucky guess?” I repeat questioning his answer.
“Yes.”
I take him at his word, but know better of it. So, instead get back to what is the purpose of tonight. Taking a seat next to him, but maintaining some space, I ask, “Now, where are we headed?”
River puts his phone away. “We’re going to stake out your accountant.”
My stomach somersaults, but I act like I have myself under control and can absolutely do this. “All right.”
“He’s the one we have the most information on at the moment, and he might be our best bet to help find their next location,” he says.
“Next location?” I’m unsure about his comment at first, but then remember my dad mentioned he believes this group is trying to repeatthe college sex ring from twenty years ago. Which means, they’ll be capturing more women.
“I’ve already told you too much.” River rises to his feet.
But on reflex, I grab his arm. Towering over me, his head whips around to capture my eyes. They flare with shock. “No. If we’re doing this, I need to know everything you do.”
He lets out a groan. “The guys we’re tracking are Andrew Hughes, the heir to Hughes Hotels, Nolen Pierce, an insurance broker, Richard Smith, who you already know is an accountant,” he continues to name them off. “And Duncan Jones, a security guard.”
