"Found him with the teacher, but he won't stop asking about you. Victoria didn't show up," Andrew says the moment Riley picks up, the voice breaking through the phone.
It comes muffled through the speaker, softened by distance, only Riley can hear it.
"Just get him home and get him something to eat, tell him I'll be there later," Riley says, his voice steady but clipped with the thought that Skye might start feeling abandoned again.
He ends the call after confirming that Skye is safe now.
He lowers the phone and glances at the time. Seven minutes have passed since Asher gave the order for information.
Riley counts the three minutes left, each second stretching like a held breath. He pretends to scroll through his phone, the screen dim and empty of anything that matters.
His thumb moves without purpose, swiping across nothing, only to give the impression of focus. He doesn't want Asher to think he is interested in the casual conversation.
