He didnt answer, and when I glanced over, he looked shocked. Shocked and something else. Before I could get a better look, he turned away.
I dont have a problem with Rafe, Maya.
Well, I do, Sam said as she opened the door.
Daniel clambered to his feet.
You do have a problem with Rafe, Daniel, Sam said. We all do.
This is a private discussion, Daniel said.
Not if its about Rafael. Everyones pu**yfooting around and Im tired of it. The guy is an ass**le and
She followed our gaze and turned to see Rafe standing behind her, arms crossed.
What? she said. You dont think Id say this to your face? I will. Youre a self-centered jerk, Rafe Martinez. Youve got everyone convinced that you sacrificed yourself for Maya and Daniel, but thats crap. You didnt let go. You slipped. Maya wanted to believe there was more to it, so she convinced Daniel
She didnt convince me of anything, Daniel said, his voice low. I was there, too, Sam. He let go.
So? Hes not actually dead, is he?
Rafe sputtered a laugh. She glowered at him, then at Corey, whod joined them, grinning as he heard. Even Daniel had to wipe away a smile.
What? she said. He isnt.
The, uh, fact that he survived his heroic sacrifice really shouldnt be held against him, Daniel said. Look, Im fine with Rafe
No, youre not. Heroic sacrifice or not, hes still a jerk. He waltzed into Salmon Creek and stole Maya.
Stole? I said.
Its not your fault. You two are both skin-walkers. Its animal magnetism. You cant help yourself. She glared at Corey, who was cracking up behind Rafe. Stop that. You know its true. Mayas too smart to fall for an arrogant, self-centered
Enough, Daniel said.
Sam sighed. I know youre trying to be fair, Daniel, but you need to stand up for yourself, not let this smirking bad boy wannabe waltz in and
Enough! Daniels roar made everyone stumble back. He climbed the steps and stopped in front of Sam. I dont know what your problem is, Sam, but youve now insulted everyone here except Corey.
Oh, she already zinged me, Corey said. I started rubbing my temples and she suggested I dont really get headaches. It just hurts me to think.
It was a joke, Sam said, flinching under Daniels scowl.
Inside, he said. Everyone. We need to leave. Now.
ButI began.
Only Rafe heard me. He tapped Daniel as he passed. I think Maya still needs to talk to you.
Daniel turned.
I do, I said. Itll only take a minute.
Well talk on the way, he said. We really need to get going, and if Coreys getting a headache
Its not bad, Corey interjected. Ill be
You wont be fine. We need to look after that first. Now, everyone, grab your stuff and lets go.
After theyd gone by, Rafe came back to me, still standing on the garage steps.
When we reach the highway, say you need a pit stop, he whispered, lips at my ear. Ill distract the others and you can take him aside.
Thanks. I know youd rather I didnt tell
Ive gotten used to the idea. And you want to tell him, which is more important.
Corey shouted, Come on, you two, and I hurried in to make sure he took his pills before we left.
THRTY-TWO
WE TOOK THE TRUCK. Coreys moms SUV would have been more comfortable, but also extremely recognizable with the police logo. Not that it mattered, since we were already being tracked, but I could hardly say that.
Daniel drove. I rode shotgun. Id tried to get Sam to take that spot, so her leg would be more comfortable. Shed refused. We opened the window into the topper, though, so we could talk, and left the curtains open.
We took the worst of the back roads. Again, that wasnt necessary. Again, I couldnt say so.
Daniel was driving along an empty dirt road when a service truck pulled out in front of us. He eased off the gas.
Its okay, I said. It looks legit.
So did the fire-and-rescue
The truck swerved suddenly, swinging around until it blocked the road.
Reverse! Corey yelled.
Daniel had already put the truck into reverse and it was spinning backward. Then he hit the brakes hard enough to send everyone flying.
I looked in the side mirror to see two vans blocking the road behind us.
Theyve boxed us in, I said.
Rafe was on his knees, peering out the rear window on the topper. When he turned, I could see genuine shock in his eyes.
They didnt trust you, I murmured.
What? Daniel said.
Nothing, justIs that a lane? There! Go down there!
He did, but as he turned into the lane, I realized it was a driveway.
Doesnt matter, Daniel said, hitting the gas. Ill get us as far as I can.
I dont have a problem with Rafe, Maya.
Well, I do, Sam said as she opened the door.
Daniel clambered to his feet.
You do have a problem with Rafe, Daniel, Sam said. We all do.
This is a private discussion, Daniel said.
Not if its about Rafael. Everyones pu**yfooting around and Im tired of it. The guy is an ass**le and
She followed our gaze and turned to see Rafe standing behind her, arms crossed.
What? she said. You dont think Id say this to your face? I will. Youre a self-centered jerk, Rafe Martinez. Youve got everyone convinced that you sacrificed yourself for Maya and Daniel, but thats crap. You didnt let go. You slipped. Maya wanted to believe there was more to it, so she convinced Daniel
She didnt convince me of anything, Daniel said, his voice low. I was there, too, Sam. He let go.
So? Hes not actually dead, is he?
Rafe sputtered a laugh. She glowered at him, then at Corey, whod joined them, grinning as he heard. Even Daniel had to wipe away a smile.
What? she said. He isnt.
The, uh, fact that he survived his heroic sacrifice really shouldnt be held against him, Daniel said. Look, Im fine with Rafe
No, youre not. Heroic sacrifice or not, hes still a jerk. He waltzed into Salmon Creek and stole Maya.
Stole? I said.
Its not your fault. You two are both skin-walkers. Its animal magnetism. You cant help yourself. She glared at Corey, who was cracking up behind Rafe. Stop that. You know its true. Mayas too smart to fall for an arrogant, self-centered
Enough, Daniel said.
Sam sighed. I know youre trying to be fair, Daniel, but you need to stand up for yourself, not let this smirking bad boy wannabe waltz in and
Enough! Daniels roar made everyone stumble back. He climbed the steps and stopped in front of Sam. I dont know what your problem is, Sam, but youve now insulted everyone here except Corey.
Oh, she already zinged me, Corey said. I started rubbing my temples and she suggested I dont really get headaches. It just hurts me to think.
It was a joke, Sam said, flinching under Daniels scowl.
Inside, he said. Everyone. We need to leave. Now.
ButI began.
Only Rafe heard me. He tapped Daniel as he passed. I think Maya still needs to talk to you.
Daniel turned.
I do, I said. Itll only take a minute.
Well talk on the way, he said. We really need to get going, and if Coreys getting a headache
Its not bad, Corey interjected. Ill be
You wont be fine. We need to look after that first. Now, everyone, grab your stuff and lets go.
After theyd gone by, Rafe came back to me, still standing on the garage steps.
When we reach the highway, say you need a pit stop, he whispered, lips at my ear. Ill distract the others and you can take him aside.
Thanks. I know youd rather I didnt tell
Ive gotten used to the idea. And you want to tell him, which is more important.
Corey shouted, Come on, you two, and I hurried in to make sure he took his pills before we left.
THRTY-TWO
WE TOOK THE TRUCK. Coreys moms SUV would have been more comfortable, but also extremely recognizable with the police logo. Not that it mattered, since we were already being tracked, but I could hardly say that.
Daniel drove. I rode shotgun. Id tried to get Sam to take that spot, so her leg would be more comfortable. Shed refused. We opened the window into the topper, though, so we could talk, and left the curtains open.
We took the worst of the back roads. Again, that wasnt necessary. Again, I couldnt say so.
Daniel was driving along an empty dirt road when a service truck pulled out in front of us. He eased off the gas.
Its okay, I said. It looks legit.
So did the fire-and-rescue
The truck swerved suddenly, swinging around until it blocked the road.
Reverse! Corey yelled.
Daniel had already put the truck into reverse and it was spinning backward. Then he hit the brakes hard enough to send everyone flying.
I looked in the side mirror to see two vans blocking the road behind us.
Theyve boxed us in, I said.
Rafe was on his knees, peering out the rear window on the topper. When he turned, I could see genuine shock in his eyes.
They didnt trust you, I murmured.
What? Daniel said.
Nothing, justIs that a lane? There! Go down there!
He did, but as he turned into the lane, I realized it was a driveway.
Doesnt matter, Daniel said, hitting the gas. Ill get us as far as I can.
