Chapter 2
"Brr."
The air whipped through Sierra's long hair as the boat flew across the water. She pressed her chilled hands against her arms and wished that she would have brought something to cover her shoulders like her sister had suggested. Not that Emily knew anything about fashion, Sierra thought as she shivered. She locked her eyes onto Kein, momentarily considering before she slid next to him, pressing herself against his side.
Kein glanced over at her, his eyes widening for an instant. His voice was a rumble under the noise of the motor. "What is it?"
With her most sympathetic expression painted on her features, Sierra blinked her dark lashes at him. She whimpered, "I'm cold," and waited for him to place an arm around her shoulders or offer her a warm sweatshirt from his bag.
Kein smirked and returned his eyes to the water. "So much for the dress."
Sierra's eyes narrowed into two burning slits at his comment. "Glad your mother taught you manners." She snatched his left arm and threw it over her shoulders. Snuggling closer to his warm body, she ignored how he shifted with discomfort; after all, Kein wasn't the first boy she'd had to coax. She leaned up to his ear and whispered, "There. Isn't this better?"
Kein clenched his teeth together and refused to answer. Sierra sighed, trying her best not to be annoyed and instead enjoy the ride. They were quickly crossing the water and the harbor was coming into view. Kein's arm was a comforting pressure on her shoulders. She breathed in the smell of the water and allowed her eyelids to drift shut, losing herself in the smooth motion of the boat.
"That's better."
Sierra jumped, startled from her thoughts by the soft sound of Kein's voice. She had missed what he'd said, so she straightened herself and asked, "What?"
Kein removed his arm from her shoulders and slowed the boat. He glanced at her, his mask glimmering. "We're here."
The heiress tossed her hair, trying to cover her unease. They had skirted the main docks and were now coasting under the arch of a small bridge that she had never seen before. Her voice came out higher than she had anticipated. "Where's 'here'?"
He turned off the engine and the dingy drew against the cement shore. His fingers closed around the ledge, gripping tightly. He turned his head toward her, but before he could speak, she snapped, "Tell me."
A strong wind churned the water and Kein reached out his second hand to get a better hold on the cement. "The Fourth Street Bridge."
The heiress hugged her tingling arms. "I don't know where that is."
Kein abruptly released his grip and, much to Sierra's horror, leapt from the boat. She shrieked when the dinghy, no longer held by him, lurched forward. Landing in a crouching position, Kein spun around and held out his hand expectantly. She caught it and he immediately pulled her free from danger. She landed on all fours, gasping for air. Kein was kneeling calmly next to her, his army bag sitting safely next to him.
Sierra roared and lunged at him, her fingernails poised like talons. Kein nimbly dodged her attack and his hands wrapped around her wrists. She gave another cry of anger, her face murderous while she tried in vain to free herself from his strong hands. Finally, her struggling ceased and he pushed her away, so that she fell into a sitting position. She crossed her arms in brooding resignation.
Kein stood and reached for his bag. His amusement was not hidden from his voice as he asked, "Are you going to be okay?" He didn't look up, but pulled a pair of jeans, a hooded black sweatshirt, and gray sweatpants from the pack. Kein unceremoniously tossed the sweatpants at Sierra, before stepping further into the inky shadows.
