Page 76 of Forsaking Midnight
“Lance?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
He doesn’t answer. But when I glance over, his face looks soft, just for a second, before the mask slides back into place.
I close my eyes and let the exhaustion pull me under.
Chapter 18
Genevieve
When I wake up, gray morning light is filtering through the window.
There’s a blanket draped over me that I don’t remember pulling up. And a second one—the one I gave Lance—tucked carefully around my shoulders on top of my comforter.
I sit up slowly, blinking against the light, and find Lance still in the chair. His head is tipped back against the wall, his eyes closed, but when I shift on the mattress, they open instantly, as though he wasn’t really asleep at all.
“You stayed,” I say.
“Told you I would.”
“All night?”
“Someone had to make sure you didn’t go for another midnight stroll.”
A tired laugh escapes me. “I think I’ve learned my lesson.”
He scrubs a hand over his face and straightens, rolling his neck like it aches from sleeping upright.
“Thank you,” I say. “For staying.”
Lance nods, already pushing himself out of the chair. “I’ve gotta handle some things.”
My lungs cramp.He’s leaving me alone?
“And what should I do?”
“Sit tight.”
“Lance.”
He stops, his hand on the doorframe.
“What you said last night. About being on a leash.” I pull the blanket tighter around my shoulders. “Does Art know?”
His jaw tightens, and that’s all the answer I need. My heart sinks into my stomach.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” he says. “Just be smart. Whatever you found in that folder, whatever you think you know… Don’t go digging. These people don’t play nice with curious little girls.”
“That’s a cop-out, and you know it. It’smylife they’re fucking with.”
“Join the club.”
“I’m not a little girl.”
