I took it, turning it over in my hands. “Planning on me getting hurt?”
“Planning on you being prepared if you do. Chicago's a long way from Ravenswood's medical facilities. Just in case.”
“I'll be fine.”
“Humor me.” He smiled, small and genuine. “Besides, knowing you, you'll end up using it on someone else anyway.”
He had a point. I shoved the kit in my bag. “Thanks.”
Noah shifted his weight, hands sliding into his pockets. “Just make sure you actually come back. Adrian gets cranky when people disappear on him.”
“Adrian's always cranky.”
“True. But he's worse when he's worried.” Noah's expression turned more serious. “And he worries about you more than you think.”
Noah reached out and squeezed my shoulder once, brief and careful, before stepping back.
Dmitri glanced up from his phone. “Chicago gets complicated, you call. Don't be a martyr about it.”
“When have I ever been a martyr?”
“You want the list alphabetically or chronologically?”
Cal laughed quietly. “He's got a point.”
I shot him a look. “You're supposed to be on my side.”
“I'm on the side of reality,” Cal said mildly. “Which occasionally conflicts with your version of events.”
Ethan cleared his throat, holding out a small crumpled bag. “Got you this.”
I took it, suspicious. “What is it?”
“Just look.”
Inside was a bag of the specific brand of beef jerky I'd mentioned liking exactly once, three months ago during a stakeout. I stared at it. “How the fuck did you remember this?”
Ethan shrugged. “Called around. Found a place that carries it. Thought you might want a taste of home before you got there.”
I shoved the bag in my pocket, not trusting myself to say anything that wouldn't come out wrong. “Thanks.”
“Yeah, well.” He shifted his weight. “Just don't forget to come back.”
“I won't.”
Adrian appeared at my elbow again, silent as ever. “Plane's ready when you are.”
I nodded. Looked at the group one more time, tried to find words that didn't sound like goodbye even though this wasn't supposed to be one.
“I'll see you,” I said finally. “Couple weeks, maybe a month. Then I'm back.”
“We know,” Adrian said quietly. “Go handle what you need to handle.”
“And Troy?” Luka's voice cut across the terminal, sharp and clear. “Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”
“That leaves me a lot of room,” I shot back.
“Exactly.”
