Page 53 of Unmask (Crew of Elmwood Public #2)

Maddox didn’t even answer. He was already slumped sideways, legs stretched out, head tilted at a weird angle on the armrest. Raine wasn’t far behind, shifting to lie across the opposite couch with a low groan.

Mason tried to stand, then changed his mind, and sank back into the cushions, his eyes fluttering closed.

I held my breath as Kreed stepped toward me, his gaze locked on mine. His hand touched the back of the chair I sat in, then slid off as he swayed slightly. “Kaylor,” he murmured.

I got up, abandoning my drink to slip my arm around Kreed’s waist. “Let’s go upstairs.” Before you fall on your face.

He didn’t fight me as I helped him down the hall to the staircase. “You… You’ve been different today.”

Shit.

We climbed the stairs, Kreed holding on to the railing, moving at a snail’s pace. “Different how?” I asked too quickly.

He blinked hard, trying to focus. “Like you’ve forgiven me,” he muttered, gripping my bedroom door frame.

Kreed might be seconds from passing into a deep slumber, but the man still had moves.

With a fluid motion defying his drowsy state, he trapped me between the frame and his body, one hand over his head supporting him, while his other hand captured my chin.

His thumb traced along my jawline, the calloused pad of his finger sending shivers down my spine.

“Have you forgiven me?” His breath was like a feather-soft kiss against my lips.

I gasped softly. How the hell could he do that? Churn me up and tug on my fucking heartstrings? Somehow, a nearly sleepwalking Kreed was still as hot as he was fully awake.

My eyes connected with his half-lidded silver ones.

Shit . How had it happened? How the hell had I fallen in love with him?

I hadn’t wanted to admit it. Still didn’t want to, but it was there inside me.

The warm glow haloing around my heart. It was easy at first to believe what I felt was nothing but lust and hormones, but I couldn’t continue to lie to myself. I’d lied enough tonight.

Lifting my chin a fraction higher, my hands slid up the flat of his stomach to rest on his upper chest where his heart beat steadily under my fingers. “You always knew I was going to forgive you.”

His mouth brushed against mine. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes,” I murmured.

His lips captured mine, the taste of chocolate lingering as his tongue slipped into my mouth, mingling with mine. This could be our last kiss for days. Weeks. Months. Years. Hell, it could very well be our last kiss ever.

We both deserved for it to be fucking memorable, not that Kreed would remember much, but I’d never forget this moment.

I guided him to the bed, my hands on his waist as he swayed slightly on his feet.

He lowered himself onto the mattress with the careful movements of someone fighting against heavy limbs, but he didn’t go alone.

His hands attached to my waist before I could pull away, his fingers digging into the soft material of my shirt, and I ended up landing half on top of him in a tangle of limbs.

“This is better,” he whispered, his nose buried into my hair, his arm slung protectively over me.

Fuck. Better for who?

I had to untangle myself from him or risk rousing him when it was time for me to leave. I couldn’t give him the chance to stop me, but it was so damn tempting to curl against him and close my eyes. I stared at him, a silent tear streaking down my cheek.

Please don’t hate me. I don’t have a choice.

Within minutes, the only sounds in the room were his soft breathing and the howling of wind beating against the windows.

Lifting his arm to the side, I pulled the blanket up over him and held my breath, waiting to see if he would remain asleep.

I think I’m in love with you, I mouthed, needing to say the words at least once even if he never heard them.

This was it.

The house was quiet. The boys were down. The clock had started ticking.

As gently as I could, I climbed out of bed, sparing one last glimpse at Kreed. You better find me, or I’ll never forgive you. For real this time. I’ll be waiting for you.

I crouched at the side of the bed, fishing out the burner I stashed there.

The phone’s screen glared in the darkness, the single message still stamped across the screen.

I reread it one more time, not because I didn’t know the words but because I needed to look at something other than the trembling of my hands.

If things went sideways… If they found it while I was gone, they’d follow but not in time to stop me. I needed a head start. Just enough to get in and get Kenny out.

This had to be my choice.

My risk.

I had twenty-five minutes. Just enough time to slip out of the house unnoticed and do the one thing I swore I would: get my best friend back. Even if it meant I never saw them again. Even if it meant never seeing Kreed again.

Carefully placing the burner on the pillow where my head had lain minutes ago, I moved quietly to the stairwell, each creak of the wood a thunderous boom in my ears, but no one stirred.

The house had fallen into a deep hush. I stood at the top of the stairs, watching the darkened hallway stretch before me.

Down below, the soft hush of firelight still danced in the living room, casting golden shadows into the hall.

They were still out. Asleep.

I waited another beat.

Still nothing.

Clutching the hoodie around me, I passed through the kitchen, the warmth from earlier already faded. I avoided the family room entirely. There was no way I was risking stepping too close even if they were all out like lights. I already had one miracle.

Two would be pushing it.

I slipped through the back door, letting it close behind me with the softest click.