I struggled to regain my composure as Iwalked down the hall to where Mac stood with Bale and Corson. He’dput those fucking earrings in his ears again. I resisted theimpulse to tear them out.
“How is it going in there?” Mac inquired.
“They all seem happy.” In truth, I’d onlypaid attention to River. “Thank you for arranging this.”
“You were right. It will help them to trustyou more and you’re going to need that for what you’re about toface.”
“How will the humans in camp react when theylearn what went on here tonight?” Corson asked Mac.
“There will no doubt be some resentment,” Macsaid, “but I think they’ve all learned they can’t always get whatthey want. If things go well tonight, I’ll arrange to have morefamilies brought in for brief, monitored visits. Future visits willbe on the other side of the wall, and in smaller groups, but itwill help build morale if they’re occasionally able to see theirfamilies again.”
“If we’re successful, there may not be areason for the wall anymore,” Bale said.
“True,” Mac agreed.
“Is everything ready to go?” I inquired.
“It is,” Mac said briskly.
“Good.” I leaned against the wall to waituntil morning, but after a half an hour, I found myself wanderingaway again. Shax was inside watching over River, but I couldn’tresist seeing her smile again. Stepping before the door, longingspeared through my gut when my eyes landed on her once more.
CHAPTER 4
River
“River.” I lifted my head to blink againstthe dim rays of sun filtering through the windows of the cafeteria.The warmth against my chest made my heart swell when I looked downat Bailey and Gage nestled within my arms. “It’s time for us togo.”
Shax’s words drew my attention to him. Itried not to cry while I hugged my brothers closer. Gage stirred,but Bailey’s breath warmed my skin as he kept his mouth against myneck. I’d just gotten them back and now I had to leave them again.Maybe for good this time.
I will not cry.
“I have to go,” I said when Gage lifted hishead from my shoulder.
Tears filled his eyes. He blinked them backand bit into his quivering lower lip. “We’ll be okay. I’ll takecare of him,” he promised.
“I know you will.” I squeezed his hand andrested my forehead briefly against his. “I’m going to do everythingI can to see you again.”
I went to pull Bailey away, but his armstightened around my neck. His lashes tickled my skin when theyfluttered open. “No!” he cried as I tried to pull him awayagain.
“Stink Bug, you must go,” I choked out. “I’llsee you again soon.”
I kissed and hugged him before Gage liftedhim away from me.
“No, no, no, no!” Bailey shouted.
His screams hurt far more than any revenirsshriek ever had as they stabbed through my heart. My throatclogged; I was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe. Baileywaved his hands in the air and tried to squirm free of Gage’s hold.Shax stepped away from us, moving a few feet toward the table tostare at one of the side doors.
Straightening my shoulders, I leaned forwardand kissed Bailey’s head. “It will be okay, Bailey. I love youforever and a day.”
Bailey burst into tears when I embraced themboth. “They told me I have to let you go, but I don’t wanna!” hesobbed.
I brushed his hair back from his forehead asI bent to kiss his flushed cheeks. “I know, B, but I have to go. Ipromise to do everything I can to see you again as soon aspossible. I love you.”
Bailey inhaled hitching sobs, but he didn’tcry out again or try to grab for me.
“I love you,” Gage said. “Be careful and takecare of yourself.”
“I love you too, and you make sure to do thesame.”
