He doesn’t react how I’d hope. My smug expression falling from my face so fast I make myself dizzy. The corners of his turn up.
“Good girl.” His grin cunning before it sours. Flatlining. “You have one minute to change.”
My throat pinches. Eyes blinking as awareness dawns.
Cole played me.
I head in the direction of my closet. He wants me to join, fine. He said one minute. I’ll take five.
Iceman couldn’t always get his way.
twenty-six
Rory
Theplanwassimple.Don’t get caught.
“The south side doors are our best bet. The camera’s been down since last month after being struck by lightning,” Eli says next to me in the car.
I nod, following along as it comes to a stop down the road from Hardin.
We all get out, making quick steps. Squatting down behind a line of bushes outside the main doors. The anticipation was killing me.
At first, I’d been hesitant but now I was glad I’d joined—even if I was tricked into doing it. Cole using his gift of manipulation.
I brace myself, already stirring in my spot.
“Stick to the plan,” Cole says, shooting me a pointed look.
I roll my eyes in response.
It seemed strange to me that we were breaking into Hardin when Silas and Abram run the place. But it was at the bottom of my list of questions. Too peeved after Cole conned me into coming.
“Finn and I will head to the top, and you stick with Eli monitoring the cameras.” Nodding once. “Everyone got it?”
Finn and Eli affirm with a shake of their heads. I’m more reluctant.
If Cole thought he could force me to join andthenstill get his way, then he underestimates me big time. If I was here, I wanted in on the action.
“One problem.” I point, raising the card in his face, gratified. “I got the card, remember.”
“Ah yes, I almost forgot,” Finn quips. Reaching over my shoulder, plucking it out of my hands as slick as butter on toast. “Thank you very much.”
I turn briskly. “Hey, give it back!”
Finn pushes me away as I reach for it. My tongue poking out of my mouth, stretching. Almost… almost… a little more… gah! I almost had it. My hair flying out of my face when I sink down, exhaling in a defeated huff.
“If I was a little taller,” I grumble to myself.
Finn laughs over satisfied in his victory. Dangling it in front of my face like a carrot for a rabbit.
“Stick. To the plan,” Cole grits out, not amused. “I mean it.”
My glower reaches record-breaking ranks. “Stop bossing me around, Iceman.”
His mouth pulled tight to one side, but it wasn’t of scorn. Pleasure maybe? Had I done the unthinkable and amused Cole Kellet?
The thought flips something in chest.