Chapter 39
When I was a child, I didn’t realize how remarkable it was that I could read Uncle Jim’s mind.
It happened infrequently, as he had one of the strongest shields I’ve ever encountered, and on the occasions I did manage to break through, it usually happened when he was distracted and not guarding his mind as strongly.
But I never quite understood why it made him so uneasy, at least not until I got older.
Now I recognize how extraordinary it was. The mind of a trained adult, especially one who’s had years of experience reinforcing defenses, is a tough target for anyone. But for a child? It would be a rare prodigy who possessed that much power.
Like Jim’s, my shield is nearly impenetrable. Nobody has ever read my mind without my internal alarm giving me ample warning to shore up the shield.
Until Fisher.
I’m preoccupied during the flight back to the mountain, wondering if I should talk to Evlynne about it.
Does she know Fisher can read minds? The boy is only six years old.
The average Mod starts manifesting abilities at age twelve, around puberty.
If Fisher is already manifesting, that’s an indication he’s going to be very, very powerful.
Deciding to sleep on it, I send Gray a message asking where he is and receive no response, so I wander toward the recreation rooms. That’s where I find him, seated at a table with Saint, Mako, and Karra.
Well, Karra isn’t sitting at the table. She’s sitting on him.
Draped all over Gray like a piece of clothing, with one arm around his shoulders, her face nuzzling his neck.
The four of them are playing clash poker. They look up when I approach.
“Wrenny,” Mako says.
I’ve given up on trying to tell him not to call me that. Mako does whatever he wants. The only reason he doesn’t get punched in the face on a daily basis is because he’s so endearing and doesn’t have a malicious bone in his big, sweet body. He’s truly one of the purest people I’ve ever met.
Saint nods hello, and I nod back.
Karra spares me a look before continuing to whisper in Gray’s ear. He smiles, and for some reason that annoys the shit out of me. Maybe because Tana planted the idea of me using Gray as a distraction, and now it won’t stop buzzing through my mind.
I know we have chemistry. When we kissed at the Command base, there were definitely sparks. But he has a girlfriend who’s currently mauling him, and so I banish the inappropriate thoughts from my mind.
“You want to be dealt in?” Mako offers.
“Sure.” I notice there are no chips on the table. “What are we betting?”
“Favors.”
I raise a brow. “How does that work?”
Mako grins. “No betting rounds. Your ante is a favor. If you want out, fold. If you lose, you owe the winner a favor.”
“Any favor at all?”
“I mean, no one’s going to enforce it if you don’t do it,” Saint says with a chuckle.
“So basically, this entire game is pointless,” I reply.
“Pretty much.” Saint kicks out an empty chair with his foot and gestures for me to sit.
I flop down, letting them deal me in.
“How was the trail ride?” Gray asks, finally addressing me.
Karra unpeels her lips from his neck. “You went riding? Living up to the cowgirl name, I see.”
I manage a smile in her direction. “Tana and I used to go horseback riding on my ranch all the time, so this felt super nostalgic. It was nice.”
Mako shuffles the cards and deals four to each player.
I pick up my cards, my grip on them tightening when I hear Karra laughing in Gray’s ear again.
She gathers her cards but doesn’t bother looking at them.
She’s too busy running her fingers over the defined muscles of Gray’s bare arm, which makes Mako grumble impatiently because she’s supposed to lead us off.
“Would you stop whispering in Gray’s ear and play already?” Mako says.
“I have to whisper because I can’t do it in his head,” she complains.
“Right. This ’fect over here.” Mako chortles. “I don’t know how anyone lives their life without telepathy.”
“Very quietly,” Gray says cheerfully. “I prefer it actually.”
I try to focus on my cards. I have a ten, two nines, and a four.
Saint flips over the table cards. Two, six, ten. I want the ten, so I slap my discard on it—the four—at the same time Gray throws down a jack, stealing the card.
“Fuck off,” I grumble.
“Such a sore loser,” he tsks.
I grab a new card from the deck, and it’s a third nine, so fuck you, Grayson. He did me a favor by stealing that ten.
As the round progresses, I become more and more annoyed with Gray and Karra’s antics. Saint gives me a cautious look, as if he can sense the tension inside me.
My gaze keeps drifting toward them. It’s Gray’s turn now, but he’s busy listening to whatever she’s whispering to him.
“Are we ever going to finish this round?” I grind out louder than I mean to.
There’s a beat of uncomfortable silence. Saint raises a brow at me.
“Didn’t realize we were in such a hurry,” Gray says.
“It’s just…” My frustration mounts. “We’re playing a game. So play the game.”
“Wow, kids, let’s not keep Darlington waiting,” Gray cracks, then throws down a queen to steal my ten. Prick.
I slap my next card down a little too violently.
“You keen?” Karra inquires, looking amused. Meanwhile, her hand is drawing little circles on Gray’s chest.
“God, do you two ever stop? You’re like one of those couples that’s so desperate for validation, you need to show off every second to prove you’re hot for each other.”
My outburst is greeted by stunned silence.
Oh fuck.
I sound unhinged.
When Karra’s face flushes, I feel like a total jerk for what I said.
“Sorry,” I mutter, as heat floods my own cheeks. “Turns out I’m not in the mood for games tonight.” I hastily lay down my cards and scrape my chair back. “I’ll leave you guys to it.”
On my way to you. Need to talk.
I’m not surprised when Gray’s message appears on my comm not long after I stomp into my quarters.
I’m still strung so tight, I feel like I’m going to snap.
I hate feeling out of control. I do stupid things when I’m out of control.
Cross warned me about it once. He accused me of being a firestorm, said I’d burn everything in my path if I didn’t learn to restrain my emotions.
Emotions that are bubbling dangerously close to the surface when the knock sounds on my door.
I let Gray in, and he brings his own wave of tension inside the room.
“What the hell was that?” he asks irritably.
I don’t play dumb. “I’m sorry. I’m on edge today.”
A frown pulls at the corners of his mouth. “On edge,” he echoes.
“Yes.”
“Look, I don’t give a shit if you snap at me, but don’t be rude to Karra.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I let out a tired breath. “I didn’t mean to insult her. I’ll apologize to her. But—” I stop, about to stick my foot in my mouth again.
“What?” His gaze sharpens.
“Nothing.”
“Say it.”
I shrug. “I’m just saying, when someone is all over you like that, they’re usually overcompensating for something.”
“Yeah, well, when someone reacts the way you did, it usually means they’re jealous.” There’s a mocking note in his voice. “Were you jealous, cowgirl?”
My pulse quickens. “I wasn’t jealous.” Do I sound defensive? I’m worried I sound defensive. “I don’t care who you get with.”
“You sure about that? Because from where I was sitting, it sure as fuck looked like you care.”
“I don’t.”
I don’t think I’m being dishonest. Am I? No, I can’t be. I don’t care. He’s my friend and I’m not over Cross. Admitting anything else would be way too messy and far too complicated.
“You’re wrong,” I force out.
He moves closer, his green eyes fixed on my face. Searching. Studying.
“You’re lying,” he says, his voice rough. “I just don’t know if you’re lying to me or to yourself.”
I don’t answer.
Gray releases me from his gaze, shaking his head to himself. “Have a good night, Darlington.”
He steps out the door. It buzzes shut, and I remain standing alone with everything we left unresolved.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my heartbeat.
Hellfuck.