Page 201 of The Forbidden Note

Zane glances at me.

I shrug.

He sighs and spins around, extending a hand to Steven.

“I can’t believe this is happening.” Steven thumbs through his notebook. He no longer seems bothered by the fact that I’m ditching him. “I’ve been following your band for a while, long before I started working for your dad. I was hoping you’d drop by the campaign office but you never do.”

Zane signs with a flourish and hands it back. “Here.”

He grabs my hand and tries to lead me away again.

I tug his hand back and glance at Steven. “Did… you just say campaign office?”

Zane turns slowly too.

“I’m not supposed to say,” Steven looks askance at me and then back to Zane. “But I guess it’s okay, since you’re Jarod Cross’s son.”

I lean forward, something inside me warning that this moment is meaningful.

“Jarod Cross is running for governor,” Steven whispers.

My skin starts crawling. Why would someone like Jarod Cross try to grab that much power? What more does he want?

Zane slides his fingers into his pocket and contemplates Steven’s words. I notice the way he’s still grinning like it’s all a joke and I realize how good of a strategy that is.

Steven has no idea he’s pumping us with confidential information and he doesn’t seem uncomfortable with sharing more.

If it was Dutch, Steven would have clammed up and refused to say anything. But Zane makes everyone feel like a friend. He’s open. Inviting. Like a wolf dressing as a sheep to make his lunch feel at ease.

A shudder runs down my spine.

In a way, that’s more terrifying than someone who wears their menace on their face. Because you never know when that darkness will come out to bite you.

“Really?” I gasp, taking cues from Zane and putting on a show. “Did you know about this?”

Zane shakes his head.

“You seriously didn’t know?” Steven looks shocked.

“I guess dad wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Oh no. Did I let the cat out of the bag?”

“Let’s sit,” Zane says.

Sensing his intentions, I slide into the booth and he falls in next to me. Everywhere from his arm all the way down to his thigh press into me.

With him so close, I struggle to remain engaged in the conversation.

“When did you start working for my dad?”

“Can we eat while we talk? I’m starving,” Steven says. He pushes the burger toward me. “Ketchup?”

“She doesn’t like ketchup,” Zane says, tapping his fingers impatiently on the menu. “Grey, you want me to order something else for you?”

“I’m good.”

Steven observes the interaction. An uncomfortable smile cracks his lips. “You two seem really close.”