He fixed her with a hard look and her shoulders slumped. Maybe she did.
"Once people let you down, you never give them a second chance. I think you're missing a lot of great things because of it," he said softly.
She looked down at her hands and didn't answer him immediately.
He nudged her. "I'm not saying you don't have reason, but maybe take a second look every once in a while. You might be surprised by what you find."
She lifted her gaze and gave him a small nod. She'd think about his words. That was all she could promise. The scars of her past weren't so easily healed or ignored.
Ollie settled back further, his eyes closing. "Now, tell me about your adventures in the short time you've been gone. Maybe they'll distract me from the pain."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"Was he really alivewhen you left him?" Jane asked. It was the first words the Anateri had spoken to her since her return the night before.
Eva glanced at her, noting the attentive expressions on Jane and Drake’s faces. There was a cautious hope in both their eyes.
Eva realized she wasn't the only one feeling his absence. These two had a much longer history with him than Eva did. They were Caden's soldiers, men and women he'd handpicked for the greatest honor a warrior could ask for—serving at the side of their warlord.
They had a loyalty to their commander that was bedrock deep. They'd do anything for him, she'd wager.
Their stern expressions concealed concern and a hope so tentative they dared not dream it.
Eva jerked her chin down in a nod. "He was."
"Why did he send you back alone?" Jane questioned.
"He said it was our best chance of survival."
Drake raised an eyebrow as his lips twisted with skepticism.
Eva glared at them. She'd hoped to keep this next part to herself, but she saw that wasn't a possibility given their doubt. "He might also have insinuated I'd only get in his way if I remained."
The two grinned.
"That sounds more like him," Drake said.
