My gaze springs to Kent, who’s posted up in front of me, protective stance and gaze scanning the woods before us.
Always so serious.
Some gunfire pops. None of us are fazed at this point, but Kent radios Hector, checking to see if they located my fugitive former employee.My bet would be a frustrating no…
“Kent,” I rasp his name, and he peeks at me. “Which animal would you like to replace you?”
His gaze narrows only slightly, though he remains, for the most part, perpetually indifferent when it comes to my passive-aggressive threats. Like the emotionless lieutenant he is.
Good boy.
His lips part as if to answer, but Hector comes over the walkie, spouting off something about nothing, really, because as expected, they have yet to locate Kellan Kemper.
Kent mutters, “Ten-four,” dropping the walkie back onto his belt in mild disappointment. He purses his lips, turning to me to sigh, “A horse.”
I shake my head admonishingly. “So transparent.”
Yari chuckles.
Slapping a placating pat on Kent’s shoulder, I spin and stride back into the house.
“Sir?” Kent calls after me. “I think we need to—”
“Go with Paulino,” I cut him off over my shoulder. “Hector’s got this under control. Russo should be here any minute, and I need you two up there.”
He doesn’t look particularly pleased with this, and I get it. He doesn’t like leaving things up in the air. But he accepts my command because he doesn’t have a choice. That’s the benefit of being a soldier. I imagine it’s freeing… not having to think for yourself.
I would have absolutely no idea what that’s like.
Sauntering off, I don’t have to check to know Yari is scampering after me, as he does.
Chewing my cheek, I stop inside the library, eyes set longingly on the doorway that leads out to the atrium…
Dios, my mind really has only one track right now. It’s… alarming.
But seriously, all I can think about is how we left things… I’m both feral for a resolution and kind of terrified.
Ugh… How?
Just…howhas this happened? How have I allowed it…?
I run fingers through my hair. “Where is Alexander?”
If Yari has any comment on my current state, he doesn’t voice it. I think he knows I might slap him. “Still waiting in the study, I think.”
I nod and sigh, “Well, let’s go then.”
Radiating tension, I stomp through the library, spine stiff, thoughts swirling. Despite it all, there’s a calm that’s settled over me, and I know why that is. As uneasy as it makes me, I can’t deny that the stresses of the past few weeks have been alleviated some. More and more, in fact, my mind and body have been eased. Everything else has been taking a backseat, and it’s baffling. But again, not shocking, because I’ve always known it would feel like this…
Getting him back, for good.
It’s like Valium, simply having him in there. I’m settled, after years of searching and waiting and obsessing…
“Would you stay…? If I set you free, little bird?”
“You’ll never know if you don’t unlock that door…”
“Do you think Kemper is with Jonathan?” Yari asks, once more cutting into my memories.
