Apocalipstick (Hell in a Handbag Book 1) by Lisa Acerbo (the best e book reader txt) 📗

something weird going on with Tundra, but I promised Lilly I wouldn’t say anything. If I tell you, you have to keep it between us.”

“Anything,” Caleb said. “You know that.”

“Something wrong with the New Racers in Lilly’s group.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Lilly spotted the scars on Quentin and thought Aiko used him to donate blood. She thought you controlled me the same way and used my blood for your own pleasure.”

“Can’t be right.” His brow knotted into a V-shape. “You must have misinterpreted what she said.”

“She said Tundra and the rest of the New Race in her group make her, Mack, and Jim do things they might not volunteer to do otherwise.”

“What things? Are we talking in addition to blood?”

Jenna’s head snapped up. “Blood donations definitely. I didn’t want to push about what else. I explained to Lilly we’re a couple, but we do things differently here. She got all embarrassed and didn’t want to say more. Something bad might be going on with them. I don’t know what to do about it.”

“It does sound strange.” Caleb rubbed his forehead. “Could Lilly be fabricating the story because she didn’t want you to know she was having a relationship with someone? Maybe she was embarrassed about it and thought if she made up a story, you’d think better about her?”

Jenna tilted her head. “Lilly knew something was going on with Quentin. Why would she fabricate a story if she was in a relationship? Quentin’s in one, and we’re in one. It’s pretty normal around here.”

“There might be alternative explanations.”

“The reason she said anything in the first place was because she observed scars on Quentin and assumed the same thing was going on here. It doesn’t make sense she would lie to create such a crazy story and get the New Racers in her group in trouble unless it was real.”

“If this is true, we need to do something. Let’s ask Peter about it. I promise no one else will hear any of this. Maybe he knows more about situations like these. He was alone longer than anyone else in our group, and he traveled with New Racers before joining us. He’s never openly discussed what went on with them.”

“I promised not to tell. What if it gets out that I’m a snitch? Let me think about it tonight. I’ll try and get information out of Lilly tomorrow.”

“I’ll talk to Tundra over the next few days and find out what is going on from her. Aiko likes her. I’ll get her opinion without letting on about what you said.”

“Aiko likes Tundra. Shocker. Make sure they don’t suspect anything.”

“I have perimeter duty in a couple minutes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all. How about we meet before sunrise. Do you mind waking early tomorrow?”

“For you, anything.”

“Thanks.” He flashed a smile.

Her gaze lifted, and she found him waiting. There was an unspoken question lighting his eyes.

“Don’t you need to leave?”

“If I’m a few minutes late no one will care.”

She pushed closer to him, and the movement was all he needed. He kissed her, and she kissed him back until his taste became part of her soul. His fingers caressed her cheek, heating her spirit and her skin. She drank him in, knowing she’d never get enough. His kiss, urgent and demanding, challenged her to give him more.

He nipped at her neck.

She groaned.

“I want to taste you. I want you to share your life with me in every way.”

She was confused. “I want it too, but I’m scared.”

“I’d never hurt you.” He nipped at her again.

Every part of her body warmed, ready. The emotions overwhelming. Jenna pulled back, dizzy, and out of breath. “We should stop.”

“We should,” he agreed, “but I don’t want to.”

“Do you always get what you want?”

“Usually, but for tonight, you’re right.”

Another groan escaped. This time, she wasn’t sure if it was from disappointment or desire, yet she said the most rational words she could muster. “You need to go on watch.”

The erotic tension building between them melted away like snow on a warm morning. He headed for the door.

One part of Jenna wanted to drag him back and let him do everything he wanted to, but thoughts of Lilly invaded her mind and made her realize they needed to figure out what was going on.

“I’m really worried. I hope Lilly’s not in any danger. Be careful when you question Aiko and Tundra, but I need answers.”

21

Caleb left a few minutes later, but sleep wasn’t in Jenna’s future. Grabbing a sweatshirt, she went to find one of the new arrivals, if any were still awake.

She checked the work schedule. Tundra, Aiko, and Caleb would be on first watch tonight together. Jealousy scratched from under the skin. Of anyone available, Caleb had to get Aiko and Tundra, Jenna’s least favorite people. Still, that might give her a chance to approach the humans in Tundra’s group without interference. If what Lilly said was true, Jenna wondered how she could have missed the signs with Mack and Jim. Her preoccupation with Caleb did this. Losing her edge could mean her death.

She had to remember the world would never be safe. For anyone.

All three were hard to find. As much as they liked the accommodations at the inn, they tended to avoid gatherings in the evenings. She banged on each of their doors before finding the three in a secluded corner of the inn.

“How’s everyone?” Jenna asked.

Lilly jumped at the words, gaze lifting from her cup of instant coffee while liquid sloshed over the side of the cup. “Good.”

Mack and Jim remained stoic and silent.

“Can I join you, or are you in the middle of something important?”

“Sure, sit,” Lilly said.

She sat cross legged on the floor. “How is everyone settling in?”

“Good,” said Mack, sending her a rare smile. A big, burly guy, his black beard had grown long, and he’d kept it that way. Dark hair peppered his arms and sprung from under his shirt. His muscular build, tattoos of waves and