mother’s frosty tone, she doesn’t deem this revelation to be good.
“Yes, of course.” I avoid further query by choosing to beam at his presence like the natural ray of sunshine he is. “This is Halder. He’s the one I was stranded with.”
“Even his name is hot,” Reagan whispers to Adalene.
I pin them with a scowl fierce enough to make my temple throb. “Hush, you two.”
“Just stating facts,” Reagan murmurs.
When I refocus on Halder, his shoulders are jerking with silent humor. The amusement shines in his bottomless gaze as he winks at me. I feel all the tension bleed from my muscles, nearly stooping me sideways. This guy can flip my mood with a pop of his dimple. Putting both on display is downright playing dirty.
A snooty tsk severs the rainbow arching across the room. Leave it to my mother to chase away the glittering sparkles. “I wasn’t aware a man was out there with you, Blakely.”
“Um, okay? Not sure it makes a difference at this point.”
“That puts you in graver danger.”
I wrinkle my nose at her. “No, quite the opposite. Halder saved my life.”
“And how do we know that?”
“Because I say so. Whoever is responsible for targeting us will get caught. The truth behind our disappearance is probably being uncovered as we speak.” I barely manage to contain another eye roll.
“I didn’t mean to cause a disruption.” All traces of joy are absent from Halder’s face, replaced with a drooping frown.
“You’re not.” I want to offer him a spot on the bed, preferably attached to my hip without the possibility of removal. But that might be awkward with my family looming so close.
He scratches at his beard while gazing out the small window. “I wanted to let you know that the authorities are buzzing in the lobby. They fought with the medical staff who were checking me over. The cops want to review the events of our disappearance with you, but I managed to hold them off for a bit longer. I’m pissed that they feel the need to have a discussion with us minutes after being dropped off.”
“Thanks for that.” I hope the smile wobbling on my lips reflects my gratitude.
“Seems to be more of a nuisance than anything since we’re in a different country. You’ll probably have to go through this a few times. Once you’re back on American soil, they’ll want to gather a formal statement. All of the bases need to be covered, but nothing too invasive. Yet.” That last word is tacked on as if it’s an afterthought.
“How lovely. At least it won’t take long. I’m ready to get out of this place.” After the required checks and balances are conducted, apparently.
Something behind Halder pulls his gaze that way. He gives a brisk nod. “Well, they’re taking me back to the States immediately. I have to visit with my attorney and, uh,” he glances at my family with a cringe, “parole officer.”
My mother squeaks, clutching the collar of her shirt. “Oh, sweet Jesus. Please tell me he’s not one of your…clients.”
Ignoring her is simple considering my heart is thumping hard enough to drown all other noise. I scramble from the mattress and stumble toward him. “You’re leaving?”
“Don’t have much of a choice,” he murmurs. “If I resist, they’ll likely arrest me.”
“Good heavens,” my mother whispers. Adalene and Reagan huddle in to distract her, but I barely notice.
Blistering heat floods my vision, and I bat at the tears. “Don’t they have to give you an exam?”
“A nurse was fussing at me for about ten minutes before determining I could make the trip safely. The doctor is sending a referral to a clinic near my place.”
“And that’s it? Shouldn’t there be more concern for your health?”
He creases his brow. “Not that I’m aware of.”
A spew of curses go off like rapid fire in my brain. Why doesn’t that surprise me? Especially since there seems to be a hurry for him to get home. “They must be saving that for the so-called innocent victims,” I grumble.
His eyes widen to comical proportions. “What?”
“Nothing.” I attempt to wave my previous words away. “Some other standard procedure they told me is required.”
The grooves on his forehead carve deeper. “Ah, okay? That’s not ominous at all.”
His concern brings forth a wave of my own. A pivot is in order. “Why are they rushing you out of here?”
Halder’s chuckle is hollow, lacking any of the usual mirth or spirit. “I’m a recently released felon who went missing, sweetheart. Now I’ve resurfaced with a