Page 100 of Ramshackle
“Just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here, sweetling,” a voice whispers behind me.
I jolt and spin around, but no one’s there.
The invisible guy.
Kell fists the air and jerks his arm like he’s shoving something back. Dane’s out of his seat and takes a half-step in front of me.
“You got something to say, Harvey?” Kellan challenges.
The invisible man chuckles as his body slowly appears. His face is split with a grin, his blue eyes twinkling, and his hands shoved casually in his pockets. Harvey shrugs, his gaze flipping between the two at my side before landing on me. “Just offering an escape from the table before another fight broke out.”
“And you had to hide yourself to do that?” Dane crosses his arms over his chest, looking unamused.
The Guild member laughs again. “You know me,” he answers flippantly. “It’s too much fun surprising others. It’s one of the few talents I have,” he adds, holding a hand to his chest.
Kellan snorts and shakes his head, readying to say something else, but it’s my turn. “I’m all set right here, thanks.”
“Is that you, Reggie?”
Gabriel saunters over from another table, wearing tight pants, tall boots, and a colorful poncho. His hazel eyes sweep over Harvey as he passes. “Mm, hello.” He hip-bumps Kellan to nudge him over so he can squeeze onto the bench next to me. Kellan frowns, but does it while I make as much room for him as possible on my side.
“Gabriel,” I greet him with a smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh, I’m just swell,” he says, smiling warmly. “Really enjoying this jungle of fun. Have you seen the waterfalls here? Fascinating!”
“I’ve seen that one.” I point to the raised stream that spills over this floor to the one below.
He makes a sharp noise with his lips. “That one has nothing over the one by the koi pond. You must explore more, dear! Or is your knee still giving you trouble?”
“No, my knee’s been amazing. I still need to make that up to you. Is there anything I can do to repay you?”
“Oh, Aiden-dear’s already taken care of that.” His head angles back to take in the view of this two-story eating and common area. “This is everything I’ve wanted.”
“You’re joining the Guild?”
“Yup! Me and Zedd.” He flicks his hand back to the table from where he came, and I realize that Harvey is nowhere to be seen. It’s probably for the best. I don’t mind his carefree nature, but he’s playing a dangerous game sneaking up on me.
Zedd’s sitting on the opposite side of the table, girls swarming around him while he ignores them for his lunch.
“Unbelievable,” Dane gripes when he sees the musician.
“What?” Kellan prompts with a shit-eating grin. “Still salty he refused to give you an autograph?”
Dane turns his glare on him. “Shut it, Kell. I just can’t believe this is the same guy they show on TV and in concerts.”
Gabriel snickers. “My Zedd is a different person on a stage or with a mic in his hand. It’s one of the reasons we usually try to keep a low profile.” He waves his hand. “In any case, I’m looking forward to the party Aiden said will be hosted here soon. Can you imagine what that’ll look like in a jungle like this?”
I frown, confused. “What party?”
“Oh. You’re here,” a low, steady voice interrupts from behind Evie. I turn in my seat, as most of the rest of the table does while they whisper and gossip amongst themselves about everything they’re hearing and watching. The voice belongs to Reid, who’s holding a tray with both hands as Tinsley hangs on one of hisarms with barely contained energy. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his blue eyes pinned to mine as if there isn’t a full table of faces staring at him. The whispering pauses, like they’re all holding their breath to watch this exchange.
I must be missing something. Why would he care about me? Aside from him helping the guys find me, and that he was also a captive of GE’s, I know nothing about this guy.
“I’m good,” I reply slowly.
He nods stiffly. His gaze shifts to Kellan and Dane, who are both eyeing him suspiciously. “Don’t get the wrong idea,” he says to them, then walks away without further explanation.
Dane and Kellan share a look.
