He sighed. “Whatever you want.”
I nodded. We started back to the car in silence. I stared at the ground, at war with what I wanted and what I needed. Daemon couldn’t be both.
“So I was thinking,” he said after a few moments.
I glanced at him warily. “About what?”
“We should do something. Together. Outside of your house and not just walking around.” He stared straight ahead. “We should go out to dinner or maybe a movie.”
My stupid heart started jumping again. “Are you asking me out?”
He laughed under his breath. “That’s what it sounds like.”
The trees were starting to thin out. Large bales of hay came into view. “You don’t want to take me out on a date.”
“Why do you keep telling me what I don’t want?” Curiosity colored his tone.
“Because you can’t,” I told him. “You can’t want any of this with me, not really. Maybe with Ash—”
“I don’t want Ash.” His features hardened as he stopped, facing me. “If I wanted her, I’d be with her. But I’m not. She’s not who I want.”
“Neither am I. You can’t honestly tell me that you’d risk every Luxen around here turning their backs on you for me.”
Daemon shook his head in disbelief. “And you have got to stop assuming you know what I want and what I would do.”
I started walking again. “It’s just the challenge and the connection, Daemon. Whatever you feel for me isn’t real.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he spat.
“How can you be sure?”
“Because I know.” Daemon appeared in front of me, eyes narrowed. He thumped his hand off his chest, directly above his heart. “Because I know what I feel in here. And I’m not the type of person to run from anything, no matter how hard it is. I’d rather face-plant against a brick wall than live for the rest of my life wondering what could’ve been. And you know what? I didn’t think you were the type to run, either. Maybe I was wrong.”
Stunned, I pulled my hands out and brushed my hair back. Knots formed in my stomach—the good warm and twisty kind. “I don’t run.”
“You don’t? Because that’s what you’re doing,” he argued. “You pretend what you feel for me isn’t real or doesn’t exist. And I know damn well you don’t feel anything for Bobby.”
“Blake,” I corrected him automatically. Walking around him, I headed for the car. “I don’t want to talk—”
We came to a standstill at the edge of the woods. Two giant black SUVs were parked on either side of Daemon’s, blocking him in. Two men stood beside one, dressed in black suits. Unease rolled through me like a chilled, dark wave. Daemon moved in front of me, hands at his sides. Tension tightened his muscles. I didn’t have to ask to know who they were.
The DOD was here.
Chapter 15
One of the Suits stepped forward, eyes trained on Daemon. “Hello, Mr. Black and Miss Swartz.”
“Hey, Lane,” Daemon answered in a monotone voice, apparently knowing the one guy. “I wasn’t expecting you today.”
Unsure of what I should do, I nodded and remained quiet, trying to make myself as small as possible.
“We got into town a little early and saw your car.” Lane smiled, and it gave me the creeps.
The other Suit’s eyes bounced to me. “What were you guys doing out here?”
“There was a party here last night, and we were looking for her cell phone.” Daemon grinned at me. “She lost it and we’re still looking for it”
The cell phone felt like it was burning a hole in my pocket now.
“So I can meet you guys later,” Daemon continued. “Once we find the…”
The passenger door of one of the Expeditions opened and a woman stepped out. She had icy blond hair pulled back in a tight bun, revealing sharp features that would’ve been pretty on someone who didn’t look like she might tase me. “Underage drinking?” The woman smiled. It reminded me of the kind painted on Barbie. Fake. Plastic. Wrong somehow.
“We weren’t drinking,” I said, going along with everything. “He knows better. His parents are like mine. They’d kill him.”
“Well, I was hoping to catch up with you, Daemon, and we could get an early…dinner.” Lane motioned toward his Expedition. “We only have a few hours. I hate to cut your cell phone search-and-rescue short.”
For a moment, I thought he’d protest, but he turned to me. “It’s okay. I can take her home and meet up with you guys.”
“That won’t be necessary,” the woman cut in. “We can take her back, and you guys can catch up.”
My pulse was all over the place, and I glanced at Daemon for help. A muscle popped in his jaw as he stood by, silent and helpless. I knew then there was nothing he could do. Forcing a smile, I nodded. “That’s cool with me. I just hope it’s not going out of your way.”
Daemon’s right hand clenched.
“It’s not out of the way,” she replied. “We love the roads back here. Fall colors and all. Ready?”
I looked at Daemon as I headed toward the SUV. His hawklike gaze followed my steps. I murmured my thanks as she opened the back door. Getting in, I seriously hoped I didn’t end up on a missing person’s flyer.
Daemon was getting into his own car, but he stopped and glanced back at me. I’d swear I heard his voice in my head. It’ll be okay. But it couldn’t have been him. Maybe it was wishful thinking, because for a moment, fear trickled like ice water through my veins. What if this was the last time I saw him—saw anyone? What if they’d discovered I knew the truth?