Page 110 of Cryptic Curse

After last night?

I take out my phone and text him quickly.

Did you leave me a box of chocolates?

He responds almost immediately.

No I didn’t.Don’t eat any.

I didn’t, I text back.

Good.Do you want me to come over?

No, I refuse to be a damsel in distress.There’s no reason for him to rush over just because a box of chocolates is left on my stoop.I’ll simply throw them out.

No, I text him back.I’m just going to throw them out.Worst-case scenario is it’s just a waste of food.

I hate wasting food, but chocolate isn’t exactly nutritious anyway.

I head to the trash can, and something slides out from the chocolate box.

It’s a small piece of paper.I pick it up, read the writing on it.

The finest selection, handpicked with care.One in particular holds a special surprise.A little decadence, a little danger.

I gulp again as my stomach churns.

Now I wish I had told Hawk to come over.

33

HAWK

Ishould’ve gone to Daniela.

But she told me not to, and I don’t want to be pushy.The last thing I want to do is pressure her.

But God, I want to protect her.

I don’t think I’ve felt this strong of an urge to protect someone ever.Not even the way I protect Eagle.

Not even the way Ted Tucker protected me.

I roll the earring around in my gloved palm.

“Who was that on the phone?”Falcon asks me.

“You mean who was I texting?”I blink.“Just…an appointment I have.”

I don’t like lying to my brother, but he has enough on his mind.

“What’s that in your hand?”

“Also nothing.”

* * *

Seventeen Years Earlier…