Forbidden, Tempted Series (Book 1) (39 page)

“Abel’s resting in my trailer. Please, Adam.” Layla grabbed his arm. “What’s going on?”

His jaw was a hard line when he said, “I know what’s happening to Abel.”

“What?” Janet and Cain asked at the same time.

Looking at the doll, Adam scrubbed his face. “This is a venin pouch. Just another one of the weapons in their nasty arsenal.”

Layla’s eyes were huge as she asked, “What does it do? Is he going to die?”

Janet bit her bottom lip.

“I don’t think so.” Adam’s nostrils flared. “It’s got all sorts of nasty in it, but it’s mostly designed to interfere with his pain receptors.”

“So it keeps him in a state of constant pain?” Cain asked.

“Among other things.”

“My poor baby.” Layla covered her mouth. “Is it permanent?”

“No. Now that the pouch is away from him, it’s harmless.”

Flint rubbed her head, understanding why the second Rhiannon had pulled it out from under the bed she’d felt better.

Grabbing Adam’s arm, Layla gave it a quick squeeze.

He patted her hand. “He’ll be fine. But I think I finally know where they’re planning to attack.”

Cain narrowed his eyes. “Where?”

“The dance.” Flint nodded with a twist of her lips.

Adam looked at her. “Yes. You’ve both been targeted. Cain told me about the one who’s contacted you.”

Layla whipped her head around. “You’ve been contacted?” She looked at Cain. “Did you kill it?”

His jaw worked from side to side. “I was too late; she disappeared.”

Closing her eyes, Layla squeezed her hands to her chest as if in prayer. “I’m going to go to Abel, give him some medicine to help him sleep. Adam, swear to me you’ll find these things and kill them.”

He touched her cheek. “My word.”

Swallowing hard, she turned and walked out.

Adam looked at Janet. “If you have dates, cancel them.”

Janet and Rhiannon nodded.

“They’re planning something. I don’t know what, but the fewer humans you have to worry about, the better. Abel and Flint will be the bait. We’re going to draw those effers out and finish this.”

“Wait,” Cain growled, “we can’t let them go. They’ll be in too much danger.”

“No, not with all of you there to guard them. Rhi and Ja will take Eli and Seth as their dates. Between the five of you, you should be able to keep Flint and Abel safe and find the hive.”

“No. I don’t like—”

It was so tempting to cower in a corner and pretend that none of this was happening. But that guard had nearly killed her. Might have if Cain hadn’t stopped it. They’d been spying on her, on Abel, making their lives a living nightmare. She needed to help.

“Cain, stop. I’ll do it. I’ll be fine. I trust you guys.” Her words were strong, but her body trembled.

Adam dipped his head.

Cain’s look was incredulous. “What if you’re not? What if—”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to have a babysitter for the rest of my life. Just don’t leave me alone. They won’t try anything with you guys right there.”

“No, they won’t.” Rhiannon twisted her lips. “Trust me, they can’t handle this.”

“I won’t let them hurt you, Flint.” Janet inclined her head.

“Good, then it’s settled. I want everything to appear normal.”

Cain clenched his jaw; his body went stiff behind her. She patted his knee, but he didn’t look at her.

“Flint, Abel will pick you up. I’ll let him think he stole my ATV again.”

“You knew about that?”

Adam’s face was droll.

“Ah.” Heat crept up her neck at all the times she’d thought they’d gotten away with it.

“Ja, you and Rhi will tail them to the dance. Once there, you’ll meet up with the guys.” Adam looked at Cain. “You three will get to the school early. Stay out of the way, watch, and learn. Make sure nothing is happening. Once the dance starts, rendezvous, and if nothing happens, nothing happens. But keep your guard up. Small footprint, guys. Remember. Don’t make a scene and don’t let them make a scene. Last thing we need is the Order breathing down our necks. They get involved”—he shook his head—“trust me, you don’t want that. Let’s just finish the mission we were tasked. Got it?”

Finally Cain looked back at her. She could see that he didn’t like any of it. His eyes pleaded with her to reconsider. She glanced at her lap.

“Got it.”

“W
ow,” Abel breathed when she walked out of her bedroom.

It’d taken her hours to get ready. Her hands had been so shaky she’d had to reapply her eyeliner seven times before getting it to go in a straight line. Two days ago the plan had seemed like a good one.

The right one.

But now... now she was just nervous.

Cain had hardly spoken to her and when he did, it was to beg her to reconsider. But her mind was made up. And it seemed like the perfect idea—use the bait the hive was after. Draw them out so that Cain could kill them, kill the queen, and all would be well.

At this point though, nothing was making much sense anymore. Cain had driven her to the school this morning, watching her as she’d hung the decorations up in the gymnasium. But his silence had been deafening.

She wanted to know things were going to be okay between them. He wasn’t mean or angry, but he was distant. Almost like he was hurt.

Which hurt her worse.

Flint smiled. “Really?”

His eyes bugged. “Are you seriously asking that? Did you look at yourself in the mirror?”

Rolling her eyes, she held out her hand as he slipped on the rose-bud corsage. It was pretty and delicate with baby’s breath sprayed around it. It looked really good against the black dress.

Her dad smiled. “Well, look at you. My baby’s all grown up.”

Snorting, Flint patted Abel’s vest, smoothing the edges down. “You look nice too.”

In fact, he did.

Crazy, but every day now it seemed he was filling out more and more. He wasn’t Cain size, but he was halfway there. And now that he was thicker, it was easier to see the resemblance between the two. His smile was so wide, and for a second she envied him.

Abel had no clue what was planned tonight.

She wished she didn’t either.

“Okay, well... don’t be too late.” Her dad nodded at them.

Katy came out the kitchen soon after and breathed a “wow.”

Nodding, grateful her father wasn’t a picture kind of guy, she made for the door. Abel helped her put her jacket on.

“You don’t want pictures, Frank?” Katy asked just as Flint put her hand on the door.

“No.” She shook her head. “We don’t do that.”

“Yeah, actually, I should, huh?” Her father finished as if she hadn’t said anything. “Just a sec.” He held up a finger and jogged to the back room.

Abel took that moment to lean in. He smelled really good. Like lemons and aftershave. “Love the heels, Red.”

“Red?” She eyed him hard. “Since when did you start calling me that?”

He waved a hand down her body. “Flint, seriously... My brother is stupid. He’ll regret it the second he sees you.”

Stomach writhing, she gave him a tight smile. He had no idea just how much Cain was regretting it at the moment. Placing her hand on his arm, she dipped her head, quickly brushing a fat red curl away from her eye. “I’m really glad you asked me, Abel. I’m not getting all mushy and stuff, but I’m really glad I bumped into you that first day at the locker.”

His grin was huge, his dimple bigger. “Me too.”

“By the way, I noticed you’re not wearing the sling. You all better now?” She squeezed his arm.

He frowned thoughtfully. “Like new.”

“Okay, say cheese.” Holding up a silver camera, her dad barely gave them enough time to smile before the lights snapped.

“Dad!” Flint rubbed her eyes. “Little warning.”

He chuckled. “One more.”

“No.” Giving him a sweet grin, she kissed his cheek instead. “I’ve got to hurry and make sure I check in with Mr. Wickham. Let him know I’m there if he needs anything tonight or whatever.”

Nodding, he hugged her back, then glared at Abel. “Be good. I mean it, young man. I know where you live and I know your mother.”

“Oh jeez.” Rolling her eyes, Flint yanked on Abel’s arm and snatched him out the front door before her dad could embarrass her further. “Sorry about that.”

“Nah, it’s cool. You should have seen my mom before I left, she was all like, ‘Bring Flint or else.’”

She laughed. “So are we going there first?”

They walked down the stairs, and she held his arm for support because she was terrified of breaking her neck while walking down the steps in such high heels. Thankfully, it was unseasonably warm for October. She probably hadn’t needed the jacket after all.

“No. I barely made it out the first time, no promises the second time.”

Laughing, she wasn’t aware of where they were headed until she noticed Adam’s ATV parked in the lot.

“Of course.” She pretended to be surprised.

Wiggling his brows, he handed her the helmet sitting on the passenger seat. “Hey, it was either this or bum a ride off Ja and Rhi, and that wasn’t happening. Ja’s been acting all weird with me lately.”

A frown tugged at the region of her heart, dampening her excitement a little. Staring at the helmet with no enthusiasm, she wondered what kind of helmet hair she’d get from this.

“Abel, you do realize I’m wearing a dress.”

“Mmhmm.” He nodded with a leering grin. “And it’s short. It’s sort of perfect, right?”

He strapped on his helmet and then sat, patting the seat behind him with an expectant look.

In heels, no less.

Laughing, she shrugged. “Yup, sort of perfect.”

Ignoring her inner diva, she strapped on the helmet. “Face to the front. I’m about to sit and might flash something.”

“That wouldn’t be such a bad thing.” He chuckled but turned around.

Popping him in the back of the head, she sat. And yeah, it was even more uncomfortable than she’d thought it would be. The heels were going to have to come off, at least for the ride.

“Hold on.” She slipped off her shoes, hugged them to her chest, and then slipped an arm around his waist. “Okay, giddyup, Tonto.”

After starting the ignition, he headed toward the woods behind her complex. Leaning back, he yelled, “Taking the long way. Hang on tight.”

She squeezed his arm harder. “Surprised Adam let you take this.”

“Let me. Seriously, Flint? Have I taught you nothing?”

If he only knew. Casting a worried glance over her shoulder, she wondered where the girls were right now.

But then he started cracking jokes, and surprisingly, she started to have fun.

The night was ripe with the scents of the woods, the roar of their ride, and her laughter. It trailed behind her like a ribbon blowing in the breeze.

After all the drama and stress of the past few weeks, this was exactly what she’d needed.

Before she knew it, they were parking and suddenly the nerves were back.

Abel stood and, reaching over, pulled something out of her hair. Holding it front of her nose, he chuckled. “Dead leaf.”

Patting her head, she asked, “Do I look okay?”

He wiggled his brows.

Smoothing the wrinkles out of her dress, she twirled her finger, indicating that he should turn around so she could get off.

Satisfied, she got up and slipped on her heels.

“You look great, really great,” Abel finally said. “Can I turn around now?”

“Yeah.”

When he offered his arm, Flint took it and walked toward the school on legs that felt like rubber. Mr. Wickham stood by the door as they climbed the stairs. Dressed in a tweed jacket and slacks, he kept glancing repeatedly at his watch.

Finally spying her, he flung his hands up. “Ms. DeLuca, late as usual.”

Frowning, she shook her head. “Mr. Wickham, I was here all morning setting up.”

“Yes, yes...” He gestured distractedly, glancing over her shoulder. “Go inside, make sure the punch booth is set up, assist Tamara in any way she needs you to.”

Tamara?

Just the mention of the girl’s name had her skin washing over with goose bumps. Was it really a coincidence that Tamara was also working the dance and Flint hadn’t known about it until now? Looking back at the woods, she hoped everyone was where they were supposed to be.

“Weird much?” Abel whispered into her ear as they walked inside.

“I know, right? He seemed preoccupied, didn’t he?”

Pinching his fingers together, he nodded. “Little bit.”

When she walked inside the auditorium, a sense of pride overtook her. The place looked freaking good, even if she said so herself. She’d blown up over a hundred of the gold-dusted balloons. Right at ten, while everyone danced and swayed to the final slow song of the night, the balloon net would drop and gold dust would scatter everywhere.

Amazing how the sterile gymnasium could look so warm with just a few plants and silk splashes of color affixed to the walls. Thousands of silver stars dangled from the rafters.

“Snaaa...zzy.” Abel whistled. “You did all this?” His eyes beamed down at her.

“Well, no. But I did blow up so many balloons I almost fainted. World got all buzzy and funny for a second.”

He laughed, then coughed, and so did she.

Like she’d suddenly inhaled a bucket of powder. Wheezing, she waved her hand, trying to clear the air. Abel’s eyes teared up.

“The heck is that?”

Shaking her head, she looked for the source. It’d had felt like swallowing a massive amount of gnats. But there was nothing in the air. Then she smelled the sour milk.

“Why are you here?” Tamara’s terse tone broke Flint’s happy vibe.

“Because it’s a free world,” Abel snapped, shoving Flint behind his back and becoming a human shield. “Who are you?”

Whoa!

Had Abel just done that? Gone all postal? She was used to that with Cain, but not Abel. His neck was so rigid the muscles were raised, and there was definitely a vein throbbing at the base of it.

Patting his back, Flint stood up on tiptoe. “Abel, it’s fine. Come on.”

He didn’t turn.

Tugging on his hand, she said with more force, “Abel, come on.”

Tamara didn’t seem fazed. She just stared at Abel with that same eerie, buglike way of hers. Thank God she wasn’t blinking the clear membrane.