Inevitable Detour (Inevitability Book 1)(15)

Farren’s words from before I left him in Haven’s room so he could continue to search for clues resonate in my head. I’m in my own room now, tossing an assortment of summer clothes into an open suitcase I dragged from my closet to the bedroom floor.

I work fast, especially when I hear Farren leaving the apartment. Minutes later, I am making my way down the inside stairs that lead to the front door on the first floor. Farren turns from his position at the base of the stairs. His hand remains on the doorknob, but he watches me amusedly while I bounce my heavy, overloaded suitcase down each individual step.

With a suppressed grin, he eventually lets go of the doorknob and steps onto the lowest step. “Here, let me help you with that,” he says, reaching out.

His stretch is long, reaching me easily even though I’m a few steps away. I gladly relinquish the heavy bag and follow Farren down to the door.

But when I linger, Farren asks, “What’s wrong? Did you forget something?” He hoists up the suitcase and sarcastically adds, “Seems unlikely, considering the weight of this thing.”

“Very funny,” I retort. “And, no, I didn’t forget anything. It’s just that I was thinking about things I should do before we leave town. I don’t have much money on me, but I do have a small savings at the bank—”

Farren clears his throat, interrupting me. Softly, he says, “You don’t need to take money out of the bank. I’ll cover all our expenses.”

I start to protest, but he shushes me. “Don’t argue with me, Essalin. Just because you’re going to be safer on the road with me than if you stayed here alone doesn’t mean the trip is without risk. This isn’t some vacation. We could run into trouble. Real trouble…” He trails off, giving me no more.

I arch an eyebrow, hoping to prompt him to continue, but all I get in return is stony silence. Just like I suspected when we were upstairs in the apartment, I sense Farren knows more about what’s really going on with this situation involving Haven than he’s saying. But since I can’t make him talk, I sigh and agree to let him pay for everything.

“But, if expenses get out of hand, I’m paying you back,” I state resolutely.

“Whatever, Essalin,” Farren replies, chuckling. “I think I can handle it.”

True, Farren is loaded, but I refuse to take advantage.

With a trip to the bank deemed unnecessary, I start to walk past him. But then his hand touches my arm lightly, sending a delicious rush of warmth through me. I falter and stop. He removes his hand, much to my chagrin, and steps back.

Though it was only the lightest of touches, I liked Farren’s hand on me. Just like when he covered my mouth in Haven’s bedroom, after he grabbed my hand and I dropped the pepper spray, his touch was gentle, yet firm. It held promise, promise of how I’ve always dreamed of being touched. Touched by a man, not a boy.

“There is one more thing I should mention,” Farren says.

I cross my arms to appear nonchalant. No need for him to notice he’s affecting me again without even trying. “What’s that?” I casually inquire.

“If there’s anyone you’d like to talk to before we leave, you should call them now.”

“Why?”

“I can’t allow you to take your cell phone on the road, so there will be no calls from here on out. In fact, you need to give your cell to me before we leave.”

“W…what?” I sputter. “Why?”

Farren drags a hand through his neatly trimmed dark hair. Though it’s short, the strands appear silky and soft, making me wonder what it would be like to run my fingers through the raven locks.

“Your phone can be tracked, Essalin,” Farren says as explanation to my question.

And suddenly I can’t take it anymore.

“I told you to call me Essa,” I snap. The stress is wearing on me, clearly. I miss my friend, and I want answers. Not to mention I’m afraid of this unknown journey I’m about to embark on. Damn. But what has me so edgy and lashing out is that I’m far too attracted to this man I’m supposed to be partnering with, professionally partnering with.

I start to apologize, but before I can, Farren bites out, “Okay, Essa.”

Guess he’s not immune to the stress of the situation, either.

“I’ll give up my phone,” I concede, my voice apologetic. “But can I ask you something?”

Farren remains silent, but he’s not saying no, so I forge on. “What aren’t you telling me? Do you know Eric and Vincent? I just don’t get why they would they do something so…so…sinister.” My eyes implore his beautiful greens. “You know something, don’t you? Personally, I think this whole thing has something to do with you.” He raises a brow, and I add, “I’m telling you, Farren, I thought about it all weekend, and I can’t come up with one single reason why my best friend would be abducted.”

Coolly holding my stare, he asks in a low voice, “And how, Essa, would her abduction be tied to me?”

“I don’t know,” I admit.

And then he touches me again, differently than before. His fingers graze my jaw and linger on my cheek. Holy hell, this is seduction. His hand on my arm was nothing, just a prelude. I close my eyes and allow myself to enjoy how a man who obviously knows how to touch a woman can make me feel. I don’t care if Farren is just doing this to placate me.