The door opened, and she winced against the light from the hallway that left his frame shadowed. “I’ve brought you dinner.”

She did not respond. From the moment he had brought her here, she had never once thanked or begged him.

He set it on the floor inside the door. “I’m doing you a favor. You know that, right?”

“A favor?”

“I’ve kept you alive.”

She raised her chin and pushed back her greasy hair. “Why?”

“Because you’re going to help me catch someone.”

It took every bit of control not to yell at him and demand to know what else he planned. But she kept silent, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing how terrified she was. “Why would I help you?”

“Because I can make it a lot harder on you.”

“I don’t see how.”

He took a step toward her. His face was covered in a mask, but she saw the challenge in his gaze. “Maybe you need another demonstration.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY

Friday, April 23

7:30 p.m.

Jordan wanted to Uber home, but Spencer had insisted on driving her. He was protective by nature. A trait that not only explained his loyalty to his late wife but would have chased Jordan off six months ago. But now, she was practical enough to accept any help until her vision returned. Once she was back to her old self, she would stand on her own again.

He parked. “We’re here.”

She reached for her purse and her folded cane. “Thank you. I never appreciated driving as much as I do now.”

His heavy silences remained hard to decode. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

“That’s not necessary.” She reached for her door handle.

“It is when you’re a good ol’ Texas boy.” He was out of the car before she could protest, and when she lowered her feet to the ground, he was there waiting. Not touching or grabbing an elbow. He was willing to let her figure this out.

“This has been above and beyond the call of duty, Ranger.” She liked having him around. God, how she wished she could see his face.

“Not really.”

When she had joked about kissing him, she had not really been kidding. She shifted her focus. “Is my car in the driveway?” she asked.

“It is. But Avery’s car is gone. She at work?”

“I’m not sure. She went out to see a friend. I thought she’d be back by now.”

“Where was she going?”

“I didn’t press.”

“Can you find her with Find a Friend?”

“My new phone skills aren’t that advanced yet.”

“Want me to check?”

She hesitated, understanding she was asking Spencer to help her spy on her sister. “Under normal circumstances, I’d say no.” She handed him her phone. His fingers brushed hers and sent a jolt of energy through her. “But these times aren’t exactly normal.”