Eve opened the door and smiled at Lila, though her heart squeezed at the sight of the young woman she had claimed as her great-niece since the day she was born.
Lila looked like she hadn’t had much sleep either. There were dark circles under her eyes and her face was pale.
“Hi, honey,” Eve said gently. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m torn between pinching myself because I feel like I’m trapped in some surreal dream,” Lila admitted, “and wanting to go home. Away from this place and everything that’s happened here.” She gave a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “But look where running away got Gran and Mom.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Eve crossed to Lila and pulled her into a hug. “This isn’t their fault. They were just trying to stay safe, and have some semblance of a normal life.”
“I know,” Lila said, but her eyes flashed with anger. “I blame him...” Her voice filled with barely contained rage. “David. I’m sorry, Aunt Eve. I know you like him...” She swallowed and shook her head. “But look what he did to Mom... to Gran!”
“Honey, David didn’t want what happened to happen,” Eve explained gently. “He was just doing his job.”
“I’ve decided I’m going to be a surgeon now,” Lila said, shocking Eve with the words. “David is a prime example of why a person shouldn’t become a cryptographer or analyst.”
Eve sighed. “Sweetheart, there are risks in every job.” She glanced at the door. “Look at what happened to your mother recently.” She rubbed Lila’s arms comfortingly. “I’ve had my fair share of trauma in the trauma department, too. We all have.”
“Yeah, but I wanted to work for the military,” Lila reminded her. “And now... well, now I don’t.”
“Sweetheart, you still have time to decide,” Eve pointed out. “Don’t let what happened to David sour your dream. Your experiences won’t be the same.”
“Thanks, Aunt Eve,” Lila said, hugging her tighter. Then she pulled back and grinned. “Now we’d better get going. G.I. Milly wants us out of the rooms at zero six twenty.” Her grin widened. “It’s now zero six nineteen.”
Eve laughed despite everything.
As they reached the door, Nolan was there waiting in the hallway.
He greeted them with a warm smile, and it wasn’t missed on Eve the way he and Mia looked at each other as Mia emerged from her room.
Eve’s heart squeezed.
She was torn between wanting to be happy for them and being terrified. Nolan worked in a dangerous line of work. Mia had lived in the shadow of danger her entire life, even if she didn’t remember it then. Eve didn’t want more of that for her.
She gave herself a mental shake.
Mia was a grown woman. It would ultimately be her choice.
But still.
Eve could worry.
They headed down to the dining room together. The early morning light streamed through the windows, making everything look deceptively peaceful.
Erika was serving breakfast, moving between tables with a coffee pot.
Lila and Eve pointed her out subtly to Milly.
Nolan had just come back from putting their luggage in his car. He leaned close to the table. “Let me handle it.”
He walked over to where Erika was refilling the coffee pot at the long table, where all the breakfast cereals and juices were.
Eve watched him engage her in quiet conversation.
Then she felt Mia stiffen beside her.
Eve turned and saw a guest walking into the dining room.
“That’s Calvin,” Mia said softly, her voice tight. “He seems to be everywhere I am.” She paused, then added, “I know this might sound paranoid...”
