He doesn’t rush to fix it.
I swallow and shift. “How are you holding up with all this?”
He leans back in the chair, dragging a hand down his face.
“Surprisingly well, considering the circumstances,” he says. “I’ve gotten used to being an accomplice and possible federal fugitive.”
I huff.
“As long as me and Seth end up in the same cell, hopefully I won’t be someone’s bitch,” he adds dryly.
“That’s not how prison works,” I mutter.
“Let me cope.”
A faint smile tugs at my mouth despite everything.
“What about your parents?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I called them from a burner. Told them I’m traveling abroad and I’ll probably be out there for a couple years.”
“And?”
“And of course they were busy,” he says flatly. “So they didn’t ask many questions.”
I nod once.
“How’s Naomi? Have you talked to her?”
“Not really.” His jaw tightens slightly. “We both think it’s not safe. Especially with these Collective assholes. They’re tying up loose ends with anyone who survived that hotel. That bartender, Dane, was found dead in his apartment.”
He rubs the back of his neck.
“I don’t want to put her in danger just to hear her voice.”
“You could call from a burner,” I suggest.
“Yeah, I might.”
The door opens again.
Seth steps in, letting Luna and Krueger enter first.
Luna pads across the mats and curls in my lap. Krueger follows and presses against Travis instead, lowering himself heavily at his side.
Travis hesitates for half a second before resting his hand on Krueger’s head.
The dog leans into it immediately.
I watch them.
“You two have come a long way,” I smile. “I remember when you were convinced he was going to maul you.”
Travis scratches behind Krueger’s ear, shaking his head.
“Yeah,” he laughs. “I guess the hellhound’s grown on me.”
Krueger huffs and pushes harder into his hand.
