“Thanks to you.”
“You don’t owe anyone gratitude for that.Not me, that’s for sure.You’re free thanks toyourcourage and resilience.”
“You’re angry.”
“Does it show?”
“Fists clenched?Jaw tight?Yes, it shows.I know you, remember?”
They shared a quick smile.
Life had been shit for Mara, but when they pulled apart, her steady appraisal told him she hadn’t changed.She still put others before herself with an inner strength and determination he could only admire.Once she recovered, she’d be an ideal recruit for the Blood and Thunder team.
“The other prisoners told me no one would come,” she said in the same quiet voice.“But I knew you wouldn’t forget.”
Something viselike loosened in his chest.If Sable hadn’t gotten in touch with him, he wouldn’t even have known Mara was in danger.“Of course, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.How did you hear about the team?”
“Word spreads fast among the desperate.”Smiling, she brightened.“I followed your rise every step of the way.”
A rise he could never have made without this woman.He doubted he’d have survived childhood without her.Finding Mara again was a reminder that good people existed, and that maybe he shouldn’t distance himself from everyone just because he could.
Her gaze fell to his chest.“You got careless?”she asked, cocking her head and giving him a look.“Were you reckless, Elijah?”
“What, me?”
She laughed.“Still the same Elijah.”
“Always.And this is nothing,” he insisted as she stared at his arm.
She checked the dressing anyway, force of habit, he supposed.“You have a great partner,” she said.“Did she do this for you?”
“Sable is an integral part of the team again.”
“And in your life again?”
Ignoring the question, he told her to rest.
“There’s time enough to rest when I’m dead,” she replied.“What I’m looking for is a new direction so I can help others as you helped me.”
“You started that trend,” he reminded her.“But, as it happens, I do have an opening in mind.We’ll talk when things have settled.”
“You’re the one who should be resting,” she insisted.
“I’m not a child now.”
“I can see that,” she agreed, laughing as she stepped back.
* * *
The reunion between Elijah and Mara was everything Sable had hoped for.It made her even more eager to find Anna Marie?—
“Sable!”
“Anna?”
Her young friend ran toward her and then stopped short.Bitter experience had taught her caution.Her hands clenched and unclenched as she asked, “May I call you Sable?”
“You can call me anything you want.”Exclaiming with relief, she dragged the teenager into her arms.
