Riled (The Invincibles 4)

“Thank you.”

He looked as though he had something else to say, so I waited. “He won’t bite, you know.”

“I’ve no clue what you mean.”

He smiled. “Sure, you don’t. Buckle up for takeoff.”

The first person I called when my mobile powered up was my father.

“Hey, baby girl. How are you?”

“I’m on my way to stay with Kiki.”

He laughed. “That says it all, doesn’t it?”

“I’d rather come stay with you, Daddy.”

“I’ve heard

through the ‘chain of command’ that my aunt has requested you go to America, darling.”

“Where are you now?”

“The Atacama Desert in Chile.”

“That’s South America. Wouldn’t it count?”

My father laughed again. “I’m certain it would not. To be honest, it’s almost a miracle you were able to reach me. There’s literally no mobile service where I am.”

“Must be a sign that I was meant to speak with you.”

“Anyway, stay well, darling. You are well-versed in avoiding your mother. I have faith you will see as little of her on this visit as you would’ve any other time of your life.”

The same could be said of him, but confronting him now would not accomplish anything. I’d been lucky that I was able to live with my grandparents throughout my childhood.

I’d hidden myself away in the stateroom, locked the door, and yet I was still disappointed that an hour passed and Cortez hadn’t knocked on the door.

I stretched out and hoped to sleep, but tossed and turned instead. It occurred to me how selfish I’d been to take the stateroom without asking if either Cortez or Grinder would like to make use of it.

I stood, straightened my clothes, grabbed my bag, and opened the door. Cortez was seated just outside and bolted upright.

“Is anything wrong?”

He startled me, and I put my hand on my heart. “No. I just thought someone else might want to rest.”

He scrubbed his face with his hand. “You’re avoiding me.”

I saw that Grinder was obviously asleep, based on the way his mouth hung open, so I sat down beside Cortez. “I’m embarrassed. That’s all.”

“Because I kissed you?”

“Because you wish you hadn’t.”

“It’s not—”

I put my fingertips on his lips. “Please do not tell me that it’s you, not me, or anything equally trite. I wanted you to kiss me, and you did. So, thank you.”

He moved my fingers away from his lips but held onto my hand and smiled. “I can assure you, the pleasure was all mine.” He sighed. “Kensington.”