Hell or High Water (Gemini Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

had spat out on the ground, I handed it to Comeaux. “Cercibis remember every feather they’ve ever lost. Give this to him, and tell him I sent you.”
    Comeaux didn’t remark on its dampness. “I’ll do that.” He tipped his head. “Safe travels.”
    The moment we were alone, I cut my gaze to Graeson. “I’ll meet you at home.”
    “Ellis,” he growled.
    “I’m okay.” I hooked a smile on my lips. “It’s just that I haven’t talked to Theo in…a long time.” Isaac’s twin brother was not my favorite person, but he was all the family I could locate. “I’d like to break the news to him alone.”
    More than that, I required focus for this next part. Theo’s reaction, both to my call and Isaac’s disappearance, would be all the proof I got that he was untainted by Charybdis.
    Unhappy but understanding, Graeson stole a brief kiss that startled me with its suddenness.
    One day I would be prepared for his affection. One day I would rise up on my toes, link my arms around his neck and put my gratitude into the reverent press of my mouth on his. But not today. Not while my bleeding heart weighted my heels flat on the ground.
    “I’ll see you at home.” He made it sound like a dare. As if I’d run from him. I was in too deep now. “Call if you need me.”
    With the pack bond severed, he was carrying a cheap prepaid phone for a change. Dell too, but she kept losing hers. Speaking of my shadow… “Take Dell with you.”
    His jaw worked over an instant denial. “Charybdis is hunting you, hunting your family. I respect your right to privacy, but respect my right to keep you safe.” For the first time since I’d left the two wargs to settle their differences, Graeson acknowledged Dell with a jerk of his chin that brought her loping toward us. “She’ll wait here, in plain sight. Drive as far as you can and still see her, and she won’t overhear you.” Muscle ticked in his cheek. “Is that fair?”
    “Okay,” I agreed, because it was a good compromise. He was trying, and I didn’t want to be alone despite what I’d told him. “This won’t take long.” A flicker of a smile warmed me. “I would promise to check in once we’re headed your way, but I’m sure Dell will let you know without me having to ask.”
    Graeson’s silence stood as agreement, not the least bit chagrined that I was right. She was my friend, but orders given by someone more dominant stuck. Though that same willingness to bodyguard me and then report back to him must be one of her most endearing qualities as far as he was concerned.
    Following Graeson’s instructions, I drove as far as I could while keeping Dell visible in my rearview mirror, then pulled off to the side of the road where I dissolved into tears I wasn’t strong enough to share with anyone—not even Graeson—yet.
    Old habits die hard it seems.
    Tears wet on my cheeks, I forced my hands to stop shaking long enough for me to palm Isaac’s cell. The techs had left it on the seat spotted with fingerprint dust, and it stained my hands as I checked his call history and retrieved Theo’s number. His name popped up three times more often than mine or Aunt Dot’s. I hadn’t realized he and Isaac spoke so often. Or at all really, Isaac being so averse to speaking on phones, in texts or not.
    One more deep breath, then I dialed and punched send. I fingered the pearl bracelet Harlow had given me out of habit.
    “What’s up, bro?” a breathless voice yelled over throbbing dance music.
    “Theo, it’s Camille.”
    “Cammie?” The noise muted, filtered through the palm he must have slapped over the receiver. “Give me a sec.” Slowly the pulsating bass waned. “Want to tell me what the hell you’re doing with Izzy’s phone?”
    Throat tight, I wet my lips and broke the news. “He’s missing. He vanished from a gas station a few hours ago.” I flattened a palm hard against my chest like it might stop my heart from escaping through the cracks in my ribs.