Page 18 of War

I opened the passenger door and scooped Amantha into my arms.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and I slammed the door shut. When the icy rain hit her, she squealed and buried her face against my chest. I held her tight and jogged to the alcove.

Out of the rain, I turned my attention to the door.

“Want to get your keys...” I asked before the door swung open and a man stood in the doorway.

Chapter 9

The man in the doorway had shoulder-length blond hair and looked worried.

Jealousy raged through me. Who was that? Why was he in Amantha's apartment? Was this who texted her yesterday?

I forgot all about being cold.

“Aunt Amantha! Are you okay?” the man burst out.

She raised her head from my chest and looked at the guy. “I'm fine. Zion thinks I'll melt.”

The man grinned. “You're not sweet enough for that.”

She smiled. “That's what I said!”

I looked at the man again. He was younger than I initially thought, maybe 15. He clearly hadn't filled out yet, still having that high school leanness.

Something was going on that I didn't know about.

My jealousy faded.

“Oh, sorry,” he said. “Bring her in.” The young man stepped aside.

I carried Amantha inside to a living room. A TV was mounted to the wall near the door with a coffee table pushed underneath it, a bay window set on the outside wall, and a couch stretched against the wall across from us. A bookshelf stuffed to the brim with books stood between the window and couch. A bar counter sprawled through the last wall, connecting the living room and the kitchen, with two kitchen stools sitting underneath the ledge. The door to a hallway stood beside that.

I sat Amantha gently on the couch. The muted TV played some reality show.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You're welcome.”

The young man closed the door.

Amantha said, “This is my nephew, Neo. Neo, this is Zion, the co-worker I told you about.”

Neo nodded. “The thrill seeker.”

I grinned, very pleased by this development. “You've been talking about me.”

Amantha rolled her eyes. “Don't let it go to your head.”

I chuckled. “My truck's still on. Let me grab your chair, and I'll get out of here. I'll be back bright and early tomorrow, though.”

“You don't have to come back tomorrow.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Try to stop me.”

Amantha shook her head. “Well, thank you.”

She looked unbelievably cute, her damp hair hanging around her shoulders and her hazel eyes bright.