Page 71

Kelsey was first through the door.
“This place is so cute, and we have excellent visibility. Just look at these windows.” She went immediately to the large windows that let them peer out on the street.
Her words faded from his awareness as Jessica entered and their gazes locked.
He swore he heard the air crackle and his mouth went dry.
Never in his life had he craved anything the way he wanted her all the damn time now.
She looked away quickly, breaking the moment and severing the connection.
This fucking trip had better pass soon.
“Where are we?” Samuel asked.
“London,” Kelsey quipped.
“Haa. Haa.” Jessica rolled her eyes and set her bag down on one of the beds. “Oliver said we could meet in an hour, which considering how long it takes us to get around, isn’t long.”
“Agreed,” Samuel said.
An hour was great news. They could be out of here in no time. First thing in the morning even. And this would all be behind them.
Kelsey unzipped her backpack. They’d all traveled light. “Then should we get you ready?”
“I suppose.” Jessica glanced down at herself. “Can I change?”
“Get to it. I need to mic you,” Kelsey said.
Samuel caught Baruti’s eye and nodded toward the adjoining door. They wordlessly vacated the room so Jessica could get changed and the mic in place.
“Man, you’ve got it bad,” Baruti said as soon as the door was closed.
Samuel stalked to the window and peered out. “Shut it. I do not want to hear it from you or anyone else.”
Coast still looked clear, but for all they knew there were a dozen people out there. He couldn’t like this one bit.
“Take a damn breath and stop pacing,” Baruti said. “You haven’t slept. You’re running on fucking empty, bro.”
“I can’t.”
He sighed and watched Samuel prowl around the room.
“She likes you,” Baruti said. “I don’t know why, but she does.”
Samuel didn’t reply. That was bait if he’d ever seen it.
“She want kids?”
He scowled at Baruti. “What business is that of yours?”
He shrugged. “Making conversation. I know you’ve never been crazy about the idea, so I was curious if she was.”
Samuel didn’t, in fact, know the answer to that question. It wasn’t like he and Jessica had spent any time discussing things a typical couple might. They’d been too busy staying alive and together for all the rest. But now he needed to know.
Damn this whole thing.
“Take a breath and sit,” Baruti counseled.