Page 96 of Devious Obsession
“Let’s go meet the executioner.”
I know she’s being sarcastic. But in a way, that’s what it feels like.
27
ASPEN
Lennox and Dakota are beside themselves to meet Steele. They, along with Mom and Stephen, are sitting at a table in their hotel restaurant. The restaurant seems to be doing some sort of late-night service, perhaps to accommodate people who traveled to attend the game. It’s surprisingly busy in here.
Len finds us right away, and she jumps up and rockets over to me. She hugs me hard, like I didn’t just see her a few hours ago, and then faces Steele.
Dakota is slower to approach but no less awestruck.
I’m pretty sure the bruise on his cheek and split lip doesn’t help her budding infatuation.
Their eyes rounded, they take him in.
And then the questions start.
“How do you skate so fast?”
“Does it hurt to hit the glass?”
“What’s your favorite movie?”
“Why’d that guy hit you?”
“How do you know when to get off the ice?”
“Why did the ref blow the whistle so many times?”
“Who—”
“Okay,” I interrupt, holding back my laugh.
Stephen and my mother are still at the table, talking with their heads bent. So clearly, they’re not bothered by the girls’ interrogation. But Steele looks vaguely uncomfortable, his gaze darting between the two of them like they’re radioactive.
“Youngest is Lennox. The surly one is Dakota.”
“I’m not surly,” Dakota replies, frowning.
I ruffle her hair. “Right.”
“So?” Len asks, still staring at Steele.
“Oh.” Steele pauses. He finds his father and my mother, and perhaps draws the same conclusion that I did. He refocuses on my sister. “Um, the ref blows the whistle when one of the players does something wrong.”
They nod along.
“Okay, you can ask him more questions next time.” I herd them toward the table, dodging a harried server. “We’ve got to talk to Mom.”
“Are you okay, Asp?” Len tugs on my hand.
I pause. “Of course I’m okay. Why?”
“Stephen said you might have to go away.” Her eyes fill with tears.
Go away? What the hell does that mean?
