The fakeOutlanderguy made anis that soface and waited.
“Finally got something to live for.”
Chapter 40
Elias spent all of his time in Leo’s cabin, sitting in the big armchair by her bed, waiting for her to wake up.
The few times she woke, she called his name and he was there to hold her hand, to touch her, even if she was so out of it on painkillers that she probably wouldn’t remember the next time she awakened.
People came and went on a regular basis and it became quickly apparent that her teammates really did care about her. Seeing that level of support and trust made his heart hurt in a way he couldn’t really explain.
They’d been back for close to forty-eight hours when Von knocked on the door. “Having a meeting. Hoped you’d join us.”
Elias didn’t move. “Not leaving her.”
“I get that.” Von gave a slow nod. “Pretty sure we need you there.”
“What about her? Shouldn’t she be there?”
“It’s why we need you.” Von stared him down with those near-black eyes. “Come on. Pam says you need some air.”
After a long look at Leo, Elias finally shoved out of the chair.
The lodge was crowded. Filled with Leo’s teammates and the folks of Schink’s Station, with the exception of the wounded. A sheet of plastic closed off the back half of the space, where Amka had driven through the window apparently. He could almost laugh at that image.
Almost.
He liked what he’d seen so far of these men and women. He liked the hyperserious glaciologist who’d recently flown in, and his girlfriend who made food, apparently 24/7. Her name was Angel, which seemed unbelievably fitting. He liked the dude’s older brother—Eric Cooper, the leader of the group. He liked Pam, the doc, and the doc’s boyfriend, Jameson, who was even bigger and hairier than Elias. A redheaded Santa Claus with a laugh like a bulldozer.
And, weirdest of all, he liked Von the Reaper, who despite his grim name had probably done more saving of lives than taking. Ans, the missing team member, had left the morning this whole thing started, headed for an abandoned mine in Colorado.
Then there was the pilot, Jack, a guy who’d come in with the other group but turned on them and, with Amka, had taken the town back and called in Leo’s team.
In all this mess, the only people he couldn’t stand were the ones who’d tried to kill Leo and him.
And there was only a handful left of those.
The issue now was what to do with them.
“Take ’em out back and shoot ’em,” Amka yelled.
“Okay, hon. We’re not doing that.” Daisy put her hand over Amka’s.
“They’re a menace.”
“They are, but we can’t.”
Amka grumbled but didn’t disagree.
Elias watched the interaction between the Schink’s Station people who’d chosen to attend this strange town hall and the outsiders who’d somehow seamlessly taken control of the place.
It was odd being in a room with so many people, voices, and opinions but all of them aware. In on it. On his side.
And they all knew his name.
“Elias.” Eric Cooper broke through the chatter, quiet but sure. Everyone stopped speaking. “You’re the expert here. What do you think?”
Expert? On what? The virus? Or running for his life?
