“Thank you.”
“I’ll be back with your phone.”
“Thank you.”
He paused at the door and looked back at her. “I’ll make sure you have whatever you need while I’m gone. Not only Bonnie, but some of your ladies as well. And my brother. I’ll have him look in on you as well.”
“Which is your brother?” she asked.
“Oh, you’ll know. We’re twins.”
Gwen smiled. “Take care, Rance. Please. It could be dangerous. Especially if they’re waiting to see who comes to view the damage.”
“We’ll be fine. I’ll be in touch while I’m gone, too.”
“Be careful, Rance.”
~~~
Alison stood at her front door, her hand resting on the edge of the opened door as she saw Feral off.
“I hate leaving things like this. There is still so much left unsaid, so many things left to address; but I have no choice. I have to see the mission through and then there are some loose ends I need to tie up back home.”
“I understand. There’s no problem,” she said.
“I’ve seen you steadily pull away this morning after letting down your walls last night. I know you think I’m not coming back, but you couldn’t be more wrong,” Feral said.
Alison smiled doubtfully as she looked up at him. “We barely know each other, Feral. I don’t expect anything, but I’m grateful for the moments we did have.”
Niko quietly appeared behind Alison. “Sorry, I’m gonna just slide by here,” he said, turning his body sideways and pressing his back up against the door as he squeezed through. “Got a call from Jack, I gotta go. I think your people are ready. You should go, too,” he said, as he headed toward the path.
Feral’s phone began to buzz on his belt, and he glanced down at it irritatedly as he rejected the call.
“It’s fine. We’re good. Nothing I didn’t expect. Go ahead, your people are waiting for you,” Alison said, waving him off like a friend she’d see later at dinner.
“What does that mean? Nothing I didn’t expect…” he said.
“There’s nothing to end. We just met. We’re good. I’m sure I’ll see you next time you guys come through here.”
“Alison…”
His phone immediately started vibrating again.
“Go! They’re waiting on you. I’ll see you soon,” she said. She took one step toward him, kissed his cheek and hurriedly backed out of reach and into her doorway before he could really get a hold of her. “Take care of you,” she said, smiling at him as she closed the door. Alison leaned her back against the door, her eyes closed, her head falling forward enough to cause her hair to hide her face.
“Alison! I’m coming back!” Feral yelled from the other side of the door. “Alison?!”
She didn’t answer.
“Damn it!” he said frustratedly.
Alison remained where she was, not moving, barely breathing, praying for him to go away. When she finally heard his footsteps as he went across her porch and down her steps, she let out the breath she’d been holding.
“You alright?” Maeve asked.
Alison looked up at her, surprised to find her there. “Sorry, I didn’t think anyone would see that.”
“For what it’s worth, I trust yours more than I trust mine.”
