When I enter the large kitchen all talk stops. Three heads turn my way. Lex sits at the island, sipping at a coffee whilst Gruff AKA Ryker leans on the counter and the blonde who I now know is named Ainsley is perched on the counter, swinging her legs.
She cocks her head to the side, studying me before her eyes jump to Lex. His eyes peruse my body and one dark smudge of brow quirks in interest.
“Coffee,” I grumble, stepping into the awkwardness. Ainsley moves out the way whilst I lean in to grab a cup and place it under the sprout on the coffee machine, but her eyes stay on me as if she can see right inside my head and pluck out all my thoughts.
“Ains,” Lex’s stern voice has her head snapping his way, “Can you do it or not?”
She scoffs, “Of course I can, I’ve already hacked his system once, getting back in will be piece of cake.”
“Arrogance will get you killed,” Gruff grumbles.
“Don’t be a baby,” she tuts, “I’m hardly facing down a firing squad behind a computer screen, plus I can hold my own.” I feel her eyes back on me again. She’s probably still pissed that I knocked her ass out that one time.
I’ll do it again too.
When my coffee is done, I add a sugar and some milk and then saunter from the room again, leaving them to it. They won’t discuss shit whilst I’m there that’ll actually get me any valuable information, so what’s the point in hanging around. I head towards a set of patio doors. There doesn’t appear to be anyone around and I wonder how easy I could slip outside. Funnily enough my first thought isn’t to run, I just want some air and some sun. I’m about to reach for the handle when the sound of gun being loaded has my head swiveling.
“Come away from the door, miss Wren,” it’s one of Lex’s guys and the gun is pointed directly at me. He’s not aiming for anything vital but it’ll hurt nonetheless.
“I just want some air,” I say to him.
“Orders are to not let you outside.”
“Please” I beg, “I’ll sit right there,” I point to the set of chairs and table out on the patio, “You can even tie me down if you want. Just some air.”
“I can’t do that, Miss Wren.”
“It’s okay,” Lex’s voice startles us both, “Lower your gun.”
“Sir?”
“Do it,” Lex growls, “let her out.”
The guy nods and holsters the weapon, frowning at me before slipping back into his position.
“Go ahead.”
I pull the handle down and swallow, waiting for the shoe to drop.
“I can go?”
“On the patio, yes. But I think you know that if you run, I’ll find you.”
I knew it alright, and the thought exhilarated me. Maybe one day, I’ll test the theory.