Isaac stood. “Fallon, this is Ryder. We work together at Zodiac Tactical. He’s been covering for me in Austin, but that has wrapped now.”
She looked between the two of them. “You told him.” Not a question.
“Yes.”
“That wasn’t your call to make.”
“Maybe. But if Ryder hadn’t covered for me, I wouldn’t have been in Chattanooga. I wouldn’t have been at that building.” He held her gaze. “We both owe him.”
She looked at Ryder. He met her stare without flinching, without trying to smooth it over.
“I don’t like more people knowing,” she said.
“I wouldn’t, either,” Ryder said. “For what it’s worth, I’m not here to judge. If Isaac trusts you, that’s enough for me. I’m just here to support him and bring a few groceries.”
The hard edge in her expression eased a fraction. Grudging, but real.
“Fine.” She walked slowly to the couch and lowered herself carefully. “But if this goes sideways because one more person is in the loop, I’m blaming both of you.”
“It’s not going to go sideways,” Isaac said. “That’s what we’re all here for. To stop any sideways-going. Want some fruit?”
“Yes, thank you. But I meant what I said yesterday. I’m not going to quit just because of a little pain.”
“Littlepain?” Isaac grit his teeth as he walked towards the kitchen. “Little pain is when you stub your toe and say a word you wouldn’t say in front of your mother. What happens to you is a lot damned more thanlittle pain.”
“Still, I—” She broke off as her phone buzzed. “It’s Cassandra. I have to take it or she’ll worry.”
“Of course.” He turned and put some of the fruit in a bowl.
“Hey, Cass.”
“How are you feeling?” Cassandra asked immediately.
“Better. Mobile. Mostly.” Fallon angled the screen toward the room. “Isaac’s here. And one of his Zodiac teammates showed up.”
Isaac came back into the room to see Cassandra’s eyes tracked to the unfamiliar face. She was guarded. Uncomfortable with the expanding audience, same as Fallon.
“Who is that?” Sharp. Directed at Fallon, but pointing at Ryder.
“Ryder,” Fallon said, propping the phone up on the back of the couch so Cassandra could see everyone. Fallon took the fruit Isaac handed her. “Showed up this morning. Isaac told him.”
Cassandra’s expression went flat. “Told him what, exactly?”
“Everything.”
The silence on the screen lasted three seconds. Isaac watched Cassandra’s jaw work. She looked at Fallon, then at Isaac, then back at Fallon.
“Okay. That’s it.” Cassandra’s voice had gone careful and deliberate. “I’m coming to get you. We’ll figure this out the way we always do. Just you and me.”
“Cass—”
“I’m serious. I can be there by tonight. We’ll regroup somewhere safe and decide what the next move is.”
Fallon looked at the screen for a long moment. Something softened in her face. “You’d actually come here?”
“Of course I’d come. What kind of question is that?”
“As much as I’d love to meet you in person, I know you don’t like to leave your house.”
