Page 108 of A Dangerous Game

Carter nods. “Me too.”

“Okay.” Nathan leans forward, pressing his forehead against Carter’s and releasing a heavy sigh. “It’s just a backup plan anyway. We won’t need it.”

With their luck, they probably will, but Carter shoots for optimism. “Exactly.”

“Okay,” he says again. Then he helps Carter stand up, standing with him, and takes a step away from him. “So, Casey. I’ll go get him for you.”

“Right.”

“And when it’s time for the party, I’ll come get you.”

Carter swallows hard.This is really happening.

It’s sinking in. The reality of tonight. The danger of it. The possibility that he might be used by strangers. The knowledge that it will hurt Nathan as much as him if that happens.

Carter feels dizzy with it all. Panicked.

Nathan shifts on his feet, seeming to waver closer to Carter before deciding against it. “Carter-”

“Don’t.” Carter puts a hand up, ignoring the way it shakes. He knows Nathan can see that he’s freaking out. He knows the man wants to fix it. But he can’t. “I can do this. I promise.”

“Okay.”

A panic wells in Carter’s chest then as he realizes - “I’ll see you though, right? After the party? You’ll come to the safehouse, right?”

Nathan gives him that sad smile from earlier and nods. “Yes. I promise.”

“Okay.” Carter takes a deep breath, trying to get his panic to fade. “Then… good luck?”

“Right.” Nathan gestures to the watch from last night, still on the floor. “I’ll come for you at 5. Be ready.”

How can someone ever be ready for something like tonight?“I’ll try.”