“No, we won’t delay it,” she said.
He must have seen something in her face. He took a step toward her. “Kaitlin?”
“You go to Uganda and do whatever it is you have to do. I’m going to London.” She glanced over at Jake, and he gave a small nod.
“I’ll go sort out the transport. Christa will want to get back as soon as possible.” Jake stepped toward her and kissed her on the forehead. “Stay safe,” he said. “Don’t take any risks.”
“I won’t.”
“And come home afterward.”
Home? She knew he meant Uganda. Or rather, wherever the rest of them were. Australia maybe. “I will.”
She watched as he walked away, then she hardened her heart and turned to face Kane. “I know what this means to you,” she said. “And I’m not being difficult. I believe we have an opportunity here, but who knows how long it will last, whether they’ll stay around.”
“They might already be gone and you’re wasting your time.”
“Maybe, but I’ve got to try. Just as you have to.”
He shook his head. “Why do you have to make everything so hard?”
She thought about taking a look in his head, but she was guessing that wouldn’t change anything. She knew how he felt. She’d always known. “Just the way I am, I guess.” And she turned and walked away.
She’d find the guys from the future, and maybe she’d discover that the cataclysm had nothing to do with the Kindred. Nothing to do with Kane’s mission. Then she could go to Uganda, steal his goddamn time machine, and save Sam.
Chapter 14
Why the hell did she have to be so fucking difficult?
Kane’s hands clenched at his side as he watched her walk away from him. Why couldn’t she just give in for once and follow his lead?
Except he couldn’t quite shake the idea that this time, she was in the right.
His earlier euphoria faded away.
He’d been so excited when Leila had called. He’d been starting to lose faith, but at last, this was proof that something was happening. That the mission was real, and the time machine was about to spill its secrets. He had to get back. He was leader of theGuardians; his people had been waiting for this for thousands of years. Was he supposed to turn his back on them now, when the time was nearly upon them?
And there was as much chance of his discovering the truth in Uganda as in London. Probably more. They had no proof that the people who had tried to take Kaitlin were still there. Or if they were, that they actually came from the future.
She was just being difficult. Childish. Putting herself in harm’s way just to spite him.
He shivered and pulled his coat firmly around himself. He hated Scotland. It was dark and cold. He’d been staring at the door where she’d disappeared for five minutes. Now he shook the snow from his shoulders and hurried across. He could convince her, but only if he kept his cool and used logic, instead of the emotions that were raging through him.
She made him so crazy.
Maybe this was why he’d avoided relationships. Had never allowed himself to get close to anyone. Because it screwed with a guy’s mind, made him rethink his priorities and want to punch something fucking hard.
Ethan was in the hallway making a phone call. He glanced up as Kane approached and ended the call. He stood in Kane’s path, so he had to slow and stop.
Ethan looked him up and down. “That was the airport—Edinburgh. I’ve arranged for a private plane to pick you up late afternoon and fly you and the others to Uganda. You’ll switch to a smaller plane in Kampala for the rest of the flight.”
“Thanks.” He waited for Ethan to move out of his way, but the other man stood there, studying him, as ifhecould read Kane’s mind. He gritted his teeth. “What?”
“I heard the news. I thought you’d be...happier,” Ethan said, sliding the phone into his pocket.
“I’m fucking delirious,” he muttered.
Ethan bit back a smile and Kane bit back a growl.
