Earlier when they left the loft suite, she’d been carrying a tote bag with an awkward-looking shape inside. Church offered to carry it, but she only shook her head and placed it on the floor of the truck.
“Should I know what’s in the bag, Zee?” he’d asked as he drove to the set.
Her lips tightened for a brief moment, then she nodded. “It’s Matt’s ashes. We’ll pass that gorgeous view on the way. I’m…I’m ready, Church. I never wanted to scatter his ashes where I wasn’t always going to be—and this is where I’m planning to stay.”
Her words had soothed him, not just because of Matt but because this was where she saw herself. The world she wanted to live in.
His throat tightened again, and he could only reach over and lay his hand on hers.
When they’d reached the place she mentioned, he pulled off the side of the road. But Zee shook her head. “Not yet. At sunset.”
“I’ll go with you,” he’d said.
“I’d like that.”
But as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, the production crew hit a snag with filming. They took a long break that had him checking the time over and over. Then he got the worst news he could. There was going to be nighttime filming so they could get the lighting right.
“Fuck,” he muttered, raking his fingers through his hair.
He needed to get Zee to the spot before sunset. He spotted Nigel Baker and waved him over. The man looked a little harried thanks to all the changes in the schedule as he approached Church.
“I need a short break.”
The man eyed him. “How short? Miss Collins has a wardrobe change, and we need you here.”
“Half an hour.” What if Zee was broken and needed him? “An hour,” he amended.
Nigel shook his head. “We need you here. Your contract—”
“I know what the contract says,” he cut in. Anger blazed through him, sharp and hot. But duty came first—that had always been a fact in Church’s life.
Nigel walked away, and Church glanced over at Zee. She was standing near her usual chair, facing the lowering sun, arms folded.
He didn’t know how to tell her that he couldn’t leave the set, that she’d have to put her plan on the back burner. It was like telling her that she couldn’t hold a memorial service and needed to reschedule because he had to work.
He issued a low growl and braced his legs wider to keep himself riveted to the spot and not walk off set.
The scene started again, and he stared at the actors, silently urging them to give clean performances on the first take so he could get the hell out of here.
When he looked up, Zee was walking toward him, and the air seized in his lungs.
He swept a quick glance around to ensure his ward was safe before crossing the grounds to meet Zee.
She tipped her head to meet his gaze, and he drew off his sunglasses. She gave him a steady look. “It’s time.”
He darted a look around. “I can’t break away. I’m so damn sorry—”
She shook her head, a flash of sadness passing over her face. “I understand. You have a job to do.”
Christ, she was already resigned to accept that she didn’t come first because it had to be that way for a military wife.
“Zee, it’s not that I don’t want to—”
“I know. It’s okay, Church. I’d…like to go alone. If you don’t mind.” She chewed her lower lip. “If it’s safe.”
Church studied her for a long beat before taking out his phone. He shot Theo a text asking for the current status of Lucian’s finances and whereabouts.
It didn’t take long to get a reply since the security team was monitoring him closely.
