Dakota’s eyes grew wide as a small gasp escaped her throat. She slapped his arm. “Don’t speak like that. You’re making it back home!”
“It’s not like I’m going to try to get killed. I’ll just sleep better at night knowing that if something happened to me, Millie still had you.”
“All right,” Dakota said, crossing her arms. “No matter what happens, as long as I’m alive, I will do my best to make sure that Millie is taken care of.”
Blade stepped forward and pulled Dakota into a hug. “Thank you for always having my back.”
“And you mine,” she whispered, hugging him tighter.
Chapter 8
It was still relatively early when Blade got home, so he helped Millie prepare dinner. She appeared to be all right, and he was grateful for that. Knowing that he wasn’t going to see her again for a really long time caused his heart to ache. Millie was the only family he had left, and if something were to happen to him, he would never forgive himself.
When they were done preparing the food, they sat down at the table to eat.
“You know how I’ve always told you that when I turn eighteen, I’m going to go after Austin and his men,” Blade said, watching Millie carefully.
She placed her fork down and took a sip of her tea.
“Well, I know I’m not eighteen yet, but I’ve decided to go now.”
Millie’s eyes darted up, finding his. She made a hand gesture that meantWhy?
“The need to set things right is gnawing at me. I thought it would ease with time, but it’s only gotten worse. I need to do this, for me and you.”
Blade hoped that Millie would understand.
Sitting back in her chair, Millie used their made-up sign language to ask him how long he was going to be gone.
Blade shook his head. “I have no idea, but it’s going to be a long time.”
Months?Millie signed.
“Yeah, maybe even a year.”
Tears welled up in Millie’s eyes, and she wiped them away with the sleeve of her dress.
“I’m sorry that I have to leave you,” Blade said, his voice catching in his throat.
It’s okay,she signed.
Blade breathed out a sigh of relief. “I spoke to Dr. Masterson and his new intern. They are going to come checkon you all the time, and Wolfe is going to come visit and bring your groceries. You must just make a list of all the things you need—I already gave him some money.”
Millie nodded and gave him a small smile.Thank you,she signed.
When they were done eating, Blade helped Millie with the dishes and then made his way to his room to pack his things. It didn’t take long before he was done. Blade placed his bags by the door and then sat down on his bed. Unfolding the piece of paper in his hands, he looked at the list of names.
Liam Reed—Stanley, Idaho
Noah Henderson—Lincoln, Montana
Oliver Stewart—Bozeman, Montana
Daniel Evans—Rapid City, South Dakota
Mason Lee—North Platte, Nebraska
Charles Wood—Washakie, Wyoming
