Silence crackles over the line.
Then Jay speaks carefully. “Is she hurt?” I’m insulted he asks, but understand he’s feeling protective of Iris. Which bothers memore than it should. I know Jay is married to April, but what’s Nick’s role in Iris’s life? He called her family.
“I’m fine, Jay.” Iris says. “If it wasn’t for…the third party and Lucien, I wouldn’t be though. They’ve protected me.” She looks at me and smiles, but there are tears in her eyes.
“We’re going to get you out,” Nick says. “Immediately.”
“That’s the plan,” I reply.
Lucien tilts his head. “With respect, gentlemen, the rebels have cut off the primary routes. Helicopter extraction is… delicate.”
Nick snorts. “Everything’s delicate until it isn’t.”
Lucien smiles. “You two, you’re so very,” he pauses and then settles on, “American.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Nick,” I say, “there’s an underground tunnel. It leads to a landing pad beyond the perimeter. We can move her tonight.”
A pause, and then, “you sound very sure.”
“I am.”
Jay exhales. “Okay. Lucien, thank you for taking care of our girl. We owe you.”
Lucien’s eyes gleam. “I’ll hold you to that.”
“I have no doubt you will.” Nick’s voice is hard.
We settle logistical details and locked timelines before ending the call. When we click off the speaker, my pulse pounds hard.
Lucien sets his cup down. “Well,” he says lightly. “That went well.”
“You enjoy this,” I say.
“Of course,” he replies. “It’s not every day my past and present collide so neatly.” He turns to Iris. “How interesting that you know two of my former…colleagues.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t even know where to begin with all the questions I have.”
“Probably best to save those for now,” Lucien says. “Our priority is to get you out as soon as possible.”
“But what about Julian?” she asks and turns toward me. “How will you get out safely?”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll figure out a way.”
“The rebels don’t know he’s here,” Lucien interjects. “And we can disguise him as a San Isidran. He speaks the language fluently enough.”
Relief floods her face. She crosses the space between us in three quick strides and wraps her arms around me.
I freeze, but then I wrap my arms around her too.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I swallow. “It’s not done yet.”
Lucien clears his throat.
I turn back to him, already irritated. “What.”
