Chapter 231

Ashton held out a hand. The simple gesture made the boy flinch. He handed over the case without a word. Ashton picked it up and passed it to Yvaine. She took it and slid it into her bag. ‘You good?’ Ashton asked her. Yvaine nodded. He turned back to me, held out his hand. I took it. We walked out together, not looking back. The second we were past the revolving door, Cassian came up, wagging an invisible tail and beaming at Yvaine. I asked Ashton, ‘What are you doing here?’ ‘I came to see you.’ Then he added in a lower voice, ‘The bed feels empty without you in it.’ ‘Oh.’ My heart fluttered a little. ‘Okay, so, where you headed now?’ He looked at me like I was about to abandon him. ‘I’m coming with you, of course.’ ‘But we’re going hiking, and you have work.’ ‘Work can wait.’ I knew when I was beat, so I just shrugged. Cassian jumped in. ‘Count me in. I can drive.’ Yvaine ignored him. Ashton pointed at an SUV idling at the kerb. ‘That’s my car.’ The sky hung low and heavy, a dull grey