My eyes go straight to Sierra anyway.
She’s sitting beside Luke, eyes closed as she chews, that soft expression of pleasure on her face.
Luke is watching her. Not eating, just watching. There’s hunger in his gaze… and something else, something softer. That’s new.
Unease settles in my chest. Whatever this is, it’s already deeper than it should be. I need to shut it down before it goes any further.
“Where did you go?” Amanda asks as I sit beside her.
“Made a few calls.”
“Have you heard anything?”
The fear in her voice is immediate, raw.
I take her hand, grounding her. “You’re safe here. Security’s tight, and the Sheriff’s aware of the situation. He’s not getting anywhere near you.”
She nods, but the fear doesn’t leave her eyes. It won’t. Not until he’s gone for good.
I know that look.
When I let go of her hand and glance back at Sierra, I find her already watching me.
There’s something in her expression—dark, sharp, burning—before she looks away.
What the hell was that?
She doesn’t look at me again.
Not once.
I notice anyway.
Even while I talk to the others, I keep track of her—how she leans toward Luke, how easily she talks to him, how she laughs with the others at the table.
Like I’m not even here.
Maybe that’s what she wants.
When dinner ends, I don’t go to her.
I go to my office.
I’m not ready. Not tonight.
I’ve barely sat down when there’s a knock at the door.
“Yes?”
I expect Luke. Maybe one of the staff.
Instead, Amanda steps inside, hesitant.
“Hey.” She twists her fingers together. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
She hesitates again, then blurts it out. “Would it make sense for me to stay in your room tonight?”