Page 102 of Twisted (Never After)

She swallows audibly and shifts her head to the side, breaking our eye contact. “He just makes a mess of things is all. He doesn’t help.”

I sigh, nodding as I slip my hands in my pockets. I’m beginning to think that being here entirely is a bust. For everyone involved. Ian isn’t pulling his weight, and clearly my lead archaeologist needs some time off.

Originally, I was here to ensure things were still on track, but with every second I stand here, it sinks in that maybe I should just let everyone pack up and go home.

Maybe it isn’t worth it after all.

What’s the point of it anyway? I don’t care half as much for the lost lamp as I once did, and it’s becoming a headache that’s starting to cause too many issues for me to handle. I don’t want to meet with Darryn or search anymore. He can have the lamp. I have enough already.

“Pack up your things, Jeannie,” I say suddenly.

The words slip from my mouth before the decision has fully formed in my head, but once I say them, I don’t pull them back.

A shocked expression washes over her face. “Are you… firing me?”

I shake my head. “No. I’m closing down the compound entirely.”

Stepping closer to her, I place my hand on her shoulder. She flinches and my stomach jolts, not enjoying the way it feels to touch someone other than Yasmin.

Her eyes meet mine and I try to adopt an empathetic expression. “Go home. Get some rest. You’ve done good work for me, but it ends here.”

She licks her bottom lip and nods slowly.

And I turn around and walk out the door, heading back to Yasmin, a large weight feeling as though it was just ripped off my shoulders from my decision.

* * *

When morning breaks,I’m in the kitchen, a cup of hot coffee in my hands, the memory of Jeannie and how on edge she was last night playing on a loop in my head. There’s something going on that she isn’t telling me, and I’m going to figure out what it is. Maybe she’s been here too long, working too much.

Ian and the boy’s voices start filtering down the hall, and I lean nonchalantly against the edge of the counter, waiting for them to get around the corner and notice me.

An ache pulses between my eyes as I watch them with their heads bent together, talking like they’re old buddies whispering secrets. I take a sip of my coffee, my gaze following their every move.

I clear my throat.

Ian’s eyes fly over, his body jerking straight and his gaze going round. It’s just for a moment and then he recovers quickly, adopting a confident swagger as he moves toward me. “Boss, you’re here early.”

“Surprise.” I take another sip of my drink.

My eyes flick to the boy, something hot and sharp stewing in my gut.

“Mr. Faraci,” he mumbles, not willing to meet my eyes.

I ignore him, turning my attention back to Ian as he moves to stand directly next to me, so close it makes my skin itch. I had forgotten how uncomfortable his lack of personal boundaries made me.

Small pitter- patters of footsteps come from the left, the energy shifts, and I know Yasmin is here before I even see her.

Her gaze is trained on me as she walks into the kitchen and a smile breaks across her face. My heart flips becausegoddamn, she’s beautiful when she’s like this. All sleep mussed and messy.

A sharp intake of breath across the room draws her attention, and her footsteps halt before she gets to me.

Gusts of green whip through my insides and I look away.

“Aidan,” she breathes.

Ian watches me with a curious sheen.

“What?” I snap at him.