“Thinking about heading into town?”
I’m barely able to bite back a scream at the sound of Ren’s voice. He’s practically on top of me, smirking, his eyes darting back and forth between the retreating helicopter and me. Like he knows something.
Well, I know something, too. And it’s remembering how I sort of have leverage over him that keeps me from shrinking back under his snarkiness. “It would be a shame if I was since the helicopter just left. Why did you follow me out here?”
“I don’t normally see you up here. It seemed worth learning more.”
“I’m sorry you wasted your time.”
“Did I?”
I can’t get a read on him. One second, he’s being cruel and threatening, and the next, he acts like this is all a big joke. “What do you really want? Because if it’s to make fun of me, we can do it inside where I’m not going to freeze to death.”
“If you would give me a chance, I would have already offered to get you another helicopter.”
I roll my eyes, nudging him aside and starting back for the doors. “Ha, ha. Very funny.”
“Who’s joking? I mean it. I could arrange to have a helicopter here in no time. You could go to Takotna.”
“And why would you do that?”
“Can’t you take a nice gesture and accept it?”
“Coming from you? No.” Now we’re back inside, and I can talk without my teeth chattering.
“Come on. I’m trying to be friendly. Do you want the helicopter, or don’t you? I don’t really care either way.”
On the one hand, it would mean being able to follow Lucas. It’s eating me alive, not knowing where he went or why he left. As far as I know, he doesn’t make a habit out of wandering off.
But this is not the sort of thing we’re supposed to do. “I don’t need to get into any trouble. I’m already high profile enough.”
“You’re not going to get into any trouble. What, do you honestly think nobody ever does this? Please. You’ll be fine.” He pulls out his phone. “I can make the request right now. You know, if you want to go back to your dorm, put on some warmer clothes. It’ll be waiting by the time you get back up here.”
I shouldn’t trust this person, but it’s too tempting. And somehow, he knows it. “Why do I feel like I’m making a deal with the devil?”
He chuckles. “I’ve been called many things, but that one’s new. Like I said, it’s up to you. I’ve already spent more time on you than I should.” Because, of course, he can’t let it go without getting one last dig in at me.
“Fine. I’ll run down to my room and get changed. You promise this isn’t a trick? For real?”
“For real. Now hurry.” He’s snickering as he types out a message on his phone. “I wouldn’t want anybody to see us together and get the wrong idea.” I have to remind myself he’s doing me a favor to keep from telling him how I feel about being seen with him. It’s not exactly complimentary.
I know Lucas will be angry once I find him, but right now, it doesn’t matter. So long as I know he’s okay and not doing anything to get himself hurt—or worse. I would never forgive myself if that happened, and I didn’t at least do something to try to stop him.