"Fine, but if Krista doesn't want you there, you need to leave."
"Understood."
I hauled ass out of the room with Beckett hot on my heels. If he wanted to follow me around like a puppy, then so be it.
I didn't even make it all the way to Lilith's door before she was throwing it wide open. "Nyx said you were on your way, and you had someone with you."
"Lilith, Beckett. Beckett, Lilith." I pointed with my palm to them respectfully. "Yes, he's a special agent. No, he's not going to say anything. And yes, apparently we're figuring shit out between us. Any questions?"
Even if she had some, I wasn't sure I would answer them. I was done explaining myself even though technically I just did. Fuck I hated complicated.
"Nope. Krista's waiting for you."
Lilith was officially my favorite teammate. That was the case before this, but she just solidified it with her answer.
"Great." I marched straight to the small living area. Unlike my rooms, Lilith actually decorated. I wouldn't go as far as saying her place was overly feminine, but it didn't look like a poor college bachelor lived there either. "Hey, Krista." I dropped down onto the couch cushion next to her while Beckett hovered by Lilith. "I was told you wanted to talk to me. I'm sorry I disappeared. Things got a bit hectic."
"That's okay. Lilith told me. Who's the guy?" Krista didn't take her eyes off Beckett as she scooched closer to me.
"His name is Beckett Walsh. He's a federal agent. Is it okay he's here? If not, I can ask him to wait outside."
"Is he going to take me back to Mary?"
I shook my head. "Nope. He's not here about you. Remember the other guy you saw?" I waited until Krista turned her head toward me and nodded. "He's here because he had some questions for him."
Krista leaned into my side and whispered, "Are you going to get in trouble?"
I tipped my lips into a smile. "No, he's not saying anything." I didn't know what it meant that she was worried about me, but I liked it. This young girl made me feel things I never thought possible.
I waited to see if she was going to clue me in to what was on her mind, but after a long minute of biting her lip, I figured she needed some encouragement. "Do you want to talk about what's on your mind?"
"I want to stay with you guys. I know you said this would be a trial, but I want it to be permanent."
Damn, I didn't know what to make of that. "Are you sure? As you can see, our life here isn't conventional. Wouldn't you rather live somewhere that allows you to go to a physical school and make friends?"
I didn't even know where the closest school district was. And would she be safe there considering our profession? These were things I never thought of before because I had no need to. When I mentioned a trial basis, I was talking out my ass. I figured after she saw in person what we did, she would run for the hills.
Clearly I was wrong.
"I don't care about those things. Friends are what got me kidnapped. I just want to be alone, and I can do that here."
"What do you mean friends got you kidnapped?"
There were too many things happening that I didn't have the time to learn everything I could about Krista.
Krista looked away like she was embarrassed. "I told you I got in trouble a lot. I started hanging out with friends who also got into trouble, but they didn't care about me. They took me to some high schooler’s party and then left me when the cops showed up. I tried hitching a ride back to the foster home, but the lady that picked me up gave me to the bad man."
Those sons of bitches snatched her right off the road. And a woman of all people. No wonder Krista didn't trust anyone. She had yet to find a reason to.
"Krista, are you sure staying here is what you want? I know the last several months have been hard for you, so I don't want you making any rash decisions."
She looked me dead in the eye. "I'm sure. I think my mom would like all of you."
"Okay." I slapped my palms on my legs. "I'll figure out what we need to do to make that happen."
Krista threw her arms around my neck. "Thank you," she whispered.
I awkwardly patted her back. "You're welcome." It was a few seconds before Krista pulled away. "I need to go somewhere with Beckett, but I'll be back shortly. Are you okay staying with Lilith?"
