The Price We Pay by Alora Kate Page A

laughing at her and called her a Princess, and then Sofia started laughing along with her. They got along great despite their differences.
    On the way to the van, Sofia walked in front of Jaxon and me, and once again he slid his hand into mine. I didn’t pull away. I’ll admit that I liked him. I liked the way he looked at me. Needy and wanting. I liked that feeling and it’s very rare to find. However, I know this was just temporary. He doesn’t know me. He doesn’t know how much of a nerd I am. I normally wear glasses. Small, white rimmed glasses, because after about a foot things get blurry and I can’t drive or function much without them. I rarely wear dresses or skirts because they’re uncomfortable. I actually had to go out and buy makeup because mine was so old. I’m just a plain and boring girl. The only thing he knows is what he saw yesterday, my fake Barbie persona. I hated the clothes, I hated showing that much of myself, but I would do anything to find my brother’s killer.
    “I need contact solution,” I said just before we got to the van.
    He stopped and pulled me close, my hands flying to his large biceps as he studied my eyes.
    “Clear contacts I hope.”
    I nodded.
    “Good. Love those baby blues.”
    “Like yours,” I said letting go of his arms. “I’m not a natural blonde.”
    I rushed to the van, slid the side door open, and hopped in. After the door shut, Sofia commented, “Holding hands.”
    I said nothing so she turned around in the seat. “You guys look good together.”
    “After we leave the house he won’t want me. Trust me, I’m not interested.”
    She turned back around. “Don’t lie to yourself. Besides, I disagree. Look at that man’s face.”
    Jaxon was smiling at me through the front windshield, holding his phone in his hand. God, he had a lovely smile. And that body. His gray shirt was tight, showing every sculpted line of his chest. I’ve felt that six-pack when I was on his bike yesterday and I’d love to see it. Not that I’d ever tell him. Not that it’d ever happen. I’d let him hold my hand and steal some kisses, but that’s it. I wasn’t even sure why he was doing that.
    A few seconds later, his face went hard and he turned his back to us.
    “That can’t be good,” Sofia said, and I agreed.
    I hoped it had something to do with my brother’s case, but that was a long shot. He barely agreed to help me. At least, I hoped he was going to help me considering he said we’d talk about it later.
    He shoved his phone in his pocket and slid into the van. “Waiting to hear back from Latch.”
    “Can we go grab some water or something?” Sofia asked. “It’s getting hot outside and we’re wearing sweats .” The way she said it sounded like she was afraid of it, but not in a bad way. She’s never worn sweats before. They weren’t that bad, much better than the outfits we both had on yesterday, so I was thankful they brought us something to wear. They were thin and sat right under the knee.
    “Or we could go get some more clothes,” I offered and Sofia looked at Jaxon, begging him with her eyes.
    Jaxon kept staring out the front window when he said, “You girls really want to get yourself into trouble?”
    “We can’t keep wearing the same clothes,” I told him scooting to the edge of my seat.
    He pondered the thought but didn’t give in. “It was risky enough bringing you here.”
    “I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate what you did for me, Jaxon,” Sofia said softly, “but nothing bad happened today.”
    “Doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t,” he replied, still slouched in the seat, staring out the window, willing Latch and Marvey to appear.
    “We don’t have to go anywhere fancy,” I suggested.
    “Nope, nothing fancy at all,” Sofia added.
    He hit the steering wheel making me sit back in the seat and I saw Sofia straighten in hers. I’ve not seen Jaxon this irritated but again, I’d only known him one day and Sofia and