The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (10)

There was only one way he could know my name.

I turned and waited as the cruiser stopped, and a muscled officer with a bushy brown mustache and bald head exited.

“Four Archer?” he asked again.

“Yeah?”

“I’m Officer Trip. I’ll be escorting you home.”

It didn’t really sound like I had a choice, but I still found myself saying, “I’ll be fine.” I turned away only to stop dead at the stern turn in his tone.

“It wasn’t a request, and I don’t want to have to place you in cuffs, miss.”

I considered my options—haul ass or face the music. If I ran, and he caught me, I’d still have to face the music while feeling like the biggest idiot. Not to mention, Rosalyn would freak. She was only one fuckup away from locking me in the tallest tower she could find.

“How do you know my name?” I questioned as Officer Trip led me to the cruiser.

“The name Thomas McNamara mean anything to you?”

I sighed as he opened the back door. “Yeah.”

“He reported you missing an hour ago. Young lady, there are things out here that bite that you wouldn’t see coming in the dark. I don’t recommend you try this again.” He shut the door, and I laid my head back with my eyes closed. Maybe it was hunger and exhaustion, but the world began to spin when he hopped in and reported that I’d been found.

It was another minute before he began to pull away from the shoulder and another when his curse had my eyes popping open in time to see a white Lamborghini Aventador flying past. Officer Trip cursed again before speeding after the car. He quickly activated the loudspeaker when he managed to catch up.

“This is your only warning. Slow down!”

My heart beat faster as the driver seemed to ignore the cop’s orders and sped down the unlit road. Just as Officer Trip was ready to turn on the siren, the brake lights flashed.

The irritated officer muttered to himself as he followed behind the car until it turned off in another direction.

“I’m going to offer more unsolicited advice, although it might not be worth much considering the person you’re living with.”

“And that is?”

“Stay away from Vaughn Rees. Ever too…if you can manage.”

I met Officer Trip’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “You don’t have to worry about that.”




“Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” Thomas and Rosalyn were waiting on the front steps when Officer Trip pulled into the circular drive.

Ignoring Rosalyn’s puffy eyes and Thomas’s tight jaw, I slipped inside while Officer Trip had them distracted.

I only made it halfway up the stairs before Ever appeared at the landing, wearing the same clothes from earlier but with his shirt mercifully buttoned. For a moment, he didn’t move, and neither did I, but then he blinked, and the threat was there. He descended the stairs, and I had a hunch he wanted to push me down them. I carefully backed down, but he kept coming, his eyes only for me. A single step was all that separated us when his father appeared and ordered us into the family room. Ever simply shifted and kept going as if nothing had happened.

“Why did you leave this house?” Thomas questioned when everyone except Ever was seated.

“I didn’t know I was a prisoner.”

“You’re free to come and go, but you should be reachable at all times, and curfew is midnight during the summer and weekends.”

I nodded and hoped that would be the end of his interrogation. I wouldn’t give that prick leaning against the wall the satisfaction of admitting he’d been the reason I ran.

“Why did you leave?” Rosalyn demanded.

“I just needed some air.” Behind the couple, a mocking smirk appeared.

“Ever says you ran out of here crying,” Thomas pointed out.

“I…” I dug my fingers into the cushion to keep from scratching Ever’s eyes out. There was no way I could correct them without admitting that I attacked his precious prince. “I’m still adjusting.” Saddle up, McNamara. I’m staying. And because I couldn’t keep my eyes off him, I saw Ever’s smile spread as if he’d read my mind and was hungry for the challenge.

Thomas cleared his throat, stealing back my attention. “Yes, well, we take responsibility for tonight. We shouldn’t have left you alone your first night in a new home. I didn’t consider your point of view.”

“And what exactly is my point of view, Thomas?”

His gaze narrowed thoughtfully. “That you’d give anything—absolutely anything—to be back in Cherry.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his hard thighs. “I know it’s hard leaving home, but understand this…running away will not be tolerated.”

I felt my lip curl. “Is that a threat?”

Rosalyn extended her hand, but I moved away before she could touch me. She was clearly on his side.

“It’s a very serious warning, Four. Your mother and I are trying to do what’s best. Try with us.”

Rosalyn was back to gnawing her lip again, a wordless plea for me to heed Thomas’s warning—for her sake, not mine. Never mine. I could already feel myself capitulating.

“May I be excused?”

They gave their nod of approval, but I faltered when I realized I’d have to pass Ever. It wasn’t like he’d pounce in front of his father, so with my head held high, I left the family room. It wasn’t until he spoke that I realized he’d followed me. I whirled around on the stairs to face him. With our parents out of the way, nothing was keeping either of us on our leashes.