The blinker sounded and we turned into a gas station. “I may start requiring a lot of attention.”
Aiden parked next to a gas pump. Facing me, confidence exuded from him. “I’m up for the challenge.”
I leaned over the console and nipped his lip. “We’ll see.”
“We will.” His tongue grazed my lip and I leaned in for more. Just as the kiss was about to deepen, Aiden pulled back.
I jutted my lip out as he spoke, “I’m going to pump gas while you think about what I’m going to do to take care of you when we get home tonight.”
I tried to entice him for another kiss, but he was quick as he exited the vehicle. “You’re impossible,” I called after him.
He gave me a wink. “You won’t be saying that tonight.”
Rolling my eyes playfully, I responded, “I’ll go get us some water and snacks.”
“Sounds good, sweetheart.” The thud of the door closing sounded from Aiden’s side as I got out of the car.
We were about fifty miles from The Society, in a small town. The gas station was busy. Going in, I grabbed two bottles of water, then found the chip section. The door chimed and I glanced back. Then, blinked and looked again, not believing what I was seeing.
Matthew.
My eyes searched for anyone else associated with The Society as my heartbeat pulsed through my ears. They couldn’t know I was alive. No one else followed Matthew in as I made sure he was alone.
Through the grimy window, Aiden pumped gas. There was only one other car in the parking lot that had a young girl, about my age, chatting on the phone as she filled her car.
This was my chance. My chance to try and get something on The Society. Talking to Matthew was a huge risk, but for the lives of all the innocent, a risk worth taking for the payoff.
Apprehensively, I watched Matthew as he made his way toward the back. I followed. Right before Matthew opened the water cooler door, I got his attention.
“Matthew.”
He spun around and a million emotions flitted across his face, confusion being the most dominant. “Sarah?”
Seeing him brought back so many memories of us spending time together. He’d been my intended. Matthew looked exactly the same as I remembered him while wearing the traditional clothes of The Society; black pants with a white shirt. I missed my friend. Friend . . . that was all I felt for him and I felt like I had betrayed him because of those feelings.
Nervously, I glanced around. “Yes, it’s me. Can we talk?”
He was speechless as he stared at me. “Sarah? Is that really you?”
The crystal blue eyes stared at me unbelieving as if I would disappear on him again. The tenderness told me he had feelings for me after all this time and I felt terrible that I’d moved on.
I had to think on my feet. Matthew thought I was dead. “Yes, Matthew, it’s me. I’ll explain, I promise.” I’m sure we didn’t have much time as I glanced around again with sweaty palms. “Please can we go somewhere I can’t be seen?”
He walked behind a wall that lead to the bathrooms. I leaned against the nook where I was hidden.
Still looking like he’d seen a ghost, Matthew said, “I thought you were dead.”
There was no time. I had to cut right to the chase in case the Keeper or another Watcher came in. “I had to leave. Are you here alone?”
Nodding, he watched me perceptively. “The Keeper dropped me off while he ran an errand. He’ll be back in about fifteen minutes. Why did you leave The Society and let us think you were dead?”
“It’s a long story, but The Society isn’t what they say they are.”
Eyes narrowed, I knew Matthew wasn’t believing me. “What are you talking about?”
“Matthew, I think they killed my mom. I think all those mysterious deaths are from poisoning.” Stay with the facts, Kenzie. “If you saw the pictures for arsenic poisoning, I think you’d agree.”
He shook his head. “The Light would not allow such a thing.”