“You have the floor.” Drew slides his arm around the back of my chair as we give Arlo our undivided attention.
“I’m resigning my role at Manning Motors and joining a new joint task force the Luminaries are setting up in conjunction with the Elite.”
Shock splays across Drew’s face, and I’m sure my expression is similar. Arlo joined the Elite at eighteen, and he’s trained extensively in the ways of our world. However, he hasn’t shown any real interest in getting more deeply involved, which has suited us. Neither Drew nor I want him actively involved, so this is definitely coming out of left field. But it’s not our choice. He’s twenty-three now. A grown man capable of making his own decisions. We couldn’t stop him even if we wanted to.
“What kind of task force?” Drew inquires, finding his voice first.
“This new team will focus solely on identifying sex traffickers and shutting down their operations. You know they’ve been doing it for years but making little headway. They are putting more resources into it, both bodies and funds, and going harder at it.” His brown eyes dance between us, pride shining through. “Ares wants me to head up the Massachusetts group, reporting directly to him.”
“It will be dangerous.” Drew curls his hand around my left shoulder.
“I’m aware of the risks, but I want to do it. Ineedto do it,” he adds in a quieter voice, and we know why. He doesn’t need to verbalize his thought process.
“I’m guessing it will involve a lot of overseas travel,” I say, and he nods.
“Have you thought about it fully? Weighed up all the pros and cons?” Drew asks. “This isn’t something you agree to do on a whim.”
“It’s all I’ve thought about for months since Ares first mentioned it, and before you bust his balls, know that I made him keep it a secret. I wanted to make this decision myself without outside interference.”
A pregnant pause ensues.
Arlo’s shoulders turn rigid, and his mouth pulls into a grim line. “I’m doing it. The decision is made.”
“That is your call to make, and we’ll respect your choices,” I say.
“I’m going to miss you, but I’m proud of you. Your mother would be proud too,” Drew says, and Arlo visibly relaxes.
“You don’t mind I’m walking away from my legacy?”
“I want you to be happy. If this is what you need, you should do it. I’d be a hypocrite to try and stop you given the years I spenthunting monsters. As for Manning Motors, it will be there if you choose to come back to it at some point. And if you don’t, Abby and Kai have kids. It’s not just my legacy. I’m sure someone will want to take over when I retire. I’m not concerned.”
“Thanks, Dad. Thank you both. For everything.”
“Just promise me two things, Arlo.” Drew straightens up, staring directly into Arlo’s face. “You won’t take unnecessary risks and you won’t lose yourself in the process. You still have a life to live, and I want you to live it.”
“That’s an easy ask, Dad, and one I’m happy to promise.”
Chapter Five
Charlie
“I’m sorry we have to leave early,” Jackson says as I walk him, Nessa, and Shandra to our front door.
“I know you’re busy, and I appreciate you flying in for the funeral.”
“We’re so sorry for your loss.” Vanessa stops in the doorway to hug me. “If we can do anything, we’re only a phone call away.”
“Rick is really sorry he couldn’t make it.” Shandra pulls me into a brief hug.
“He’s in New York saving lives, and that’s more important.”
Rick got called into an emergency surgery just as the private plane was due to take off from JFK. Hunt and Daniels aren’t here either because they’re on vacation in Europe. They were talking about coming back early, but I put the kibosh on that plan. I know they’d be here if they could, but there was zero sense in canceling their family vacation.
Jackson clamps a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll see you in a couple weeks at the party.” Drew and Athena are hosting a Sunday barbecue-slash-party with all the adults and kids to celebrate Olivia’s sixty-fifth birthday.
“Thanks for coming,” Demi says, materializing at my side. She hugs all three of our friends in turn. “We’ll have a proper catch-up at the party.”
“Safe flight,” I say, winding my arm around my wife’s shoulders as we wave our friends off at the door.
