Page 39 of Bend

“That feels dramatic.”

“Does it?”

Her mouth twitches like she’s trying not to smile. “Yeah, actually. A little.”

I pull my bike key free and unclip the helmet from her head, setting it on my seat. “Still don’t like it.”

She studies me for a second, something amused and softer flickering through her expression, then shrugs one shoulder. “Well, good news. I wasn’t expecting the full Demon bodyguard package. You already got me home. You don’t have to do the whole dramatic escort-me-upstairs thing too.”

Thorne laughs, “Might as well commit to the bit now.”

Echo turns slowly toward him, grin sharpening like she’s been handed exactly the opening she wanted. “Oh, commit to the bit?”

Thorne lifts a brow, easy as anything. “That’s what I said ain’t it?”

She steps backward toward the walkway, eyes flicking between us. “All right then. If you’re both so committed, come make sure my room’s safe.”

I fold my arms, already half laughing. “Safe from what exactly?”

Echo keeps backing up, smile wicked. “Murderers. Creeps. Monsters under the bed. Something lurking in the wardrobe. I don’t know, Wolfe, you’re the one acting like this place rents rooms to serial killers by the hour.”

Thorne barks out a laugh.

I do too, because Christ.

She points at us both. “Well, come on boys. You wanted to play escort service, you don’t get to half-ass it in the parking lot.”

Thorne looks at me, grin crooked and entirely too pleased with himself. “She’s got a point, mate.”

I shake my head, still smiling, but I’m already pushing off the bike.

Echo glances back when she hears us following, not surprised in the slightest.

Of course she isn’t.

Chapter Seven

Wolfe

Eyes on you - SWIM

Her room’s small, but cleaner than I expect.

One bed. Lamp on. Beaten-up chair in the corner. AC humming loud enough to cover a silence if anybody lets one happen.

Echo kicks off her shoes by the door and sweeps one arm out dramatically. “Well? Go on then. I was promised a proper safety inspection.”

Thorne snorts and heads straight for the bathroom like he’s fully committing to the joke. “Right, yeah. Lemme just make sure there’s not some psychopath hiding behind the shower curtain.”

I laugh under my breath and glance around the room again, taking in the thin curtains, the cheap dresser, the motel art bolted to the wall. Still don’t love it.

Echo catches that too, of course she does.

“What?” she asks, already smiling. “Still judging?”

“A little,” I admit.

She shakes her head and moves deeper into the room while Thorne opens the bathroom door.