The man headed his way.
“I am, Chief.”
He patted him on the back.
“Wyler, you’ll have to stay out here. We’ll talk, and then, Ethan will be out. Council wants to make sure that Ethan is the right Shaman for us.”
Wyler said nothing, but he hoped that the man wouldn’t crucify his son for the mess between Wyler and Catherine. Only, he couldn’t stop it.
Ethan’s burden was all because of him, but they’d navigate it as a family.
As Wyler sat, Raphael parked himself beside him.
“How are you feeling?” the Marine asked.
Wyler shrugged.
“I’m worried about him.”
He reassured him.
“Ethan will be fine. I meant more your health,” he said, clarifying.
Wyler considered it.
“I’m okay. I’m a little tired today, but I’ll be fine. I’ll take a nap here, and then head to the house. I don’t want to miss out on the kids.”
He said nothing.
“Winn, can I ask a favor?” he said, dropping the Archangel title, to speak to the man.
He glanced over.
“Sure. What do you need?”
He put his hand on the Marine’s leg, and spoke to him, openly.
“When I am dying, and that moment comes, can you please make sure they’re okay? I know that I have no right to ask, since it’s not your job as security, but I’m asking as family to family. When my time is up, will you, Caspian, Demeter, Gryphen, Ivan, Saint, and the rest of the men you work with just look out for them? They’ll be scattered and off balance for a while.”
He smiled at him.
“Absolutely, Wyler. We’ll make sure they’re good. You don’t have to worry about that.”
He did have to worry.
“I have some things put away for them and the grandchildren. Can you make sure they get them? I don’t want to burden Elizabeth with one more thing. When they are finally able to take a breath, will you make sure they are given my will, and they hear my last words?”
He dropped his arm over his shoulders.
“It would be my honor.”
Wyler appreciated that.
“Thank you, Son. I have some things for all of you, too. I want to give you all something to remember me by.”
How could they forget Wyler?
He was like a father to them.
