Page 43 of The Hijack

“I guess I was just that good at killing people,” she responded, her features twisted in a mask of pain.

“I knew that from the start,” I assured her. “The first time I met you, you tried to kill me.”

“But I didn’t,” she replied.

“And I will be forever grateful,” I said.

She rolled her eyes and stormed up the stairs, avoiding dealing with her heartache at all costs. But I wasn’t going to let her get away so easily. We were a pair. We had plans to sail away together once this was all over. I wasn’t going to let a little thing like international intrigue get in the way.

“Clark, wait,” I demanded.

“It’s too late, Theo,” she replied, barging into our bedroom and shutting the door.

I stood outside, not wanting to invade the privacy she was attempting to create but unwilling to walk away. “Clark, we can work this out.”

“How?!” she shouted through the barrier between us. “You have a family and a loving grandmother! I’ve got nothing but a bunch of dead foster siblings and a foster father who’s trying to hunt me down.”

“You don’t know it’s him,” I argued.

She yanked the door open to glare at me. “If Mr. Abernathy is behind New Dawn, and they were on the beach when I was taken prisoner, then he’s definitely trying to kill me.”

“So what?” I replied. “Tell him to get in line. I’ve got people trying to kill me. We’re both presumed dead while simultaneously being framed for murder. It’s just another problem to deal with.”

Clark sat down on the bed, leaving the door open. I took that as a good sign and went to sit beside her. “I wanted to pack my bag, but I realize I don’t have anything with me.”

I touched her chin, directing her eyes toward mine. “I don’t want you to pack your things.”

She raised her hands and then let them drop, expressing exasperation. “I can’t stay here. I won’t put your grandmother in any more danger. And I don’t want you to come with me.”

“Then you’re out of luck because I’m coming,” I declared.

“Theo,” she managed.

“Clark,” I asserted.

“What if you get hurt? What if New Dawn decides to target you as well?” she moaned.

I took both of her hands in mine and lowered my voice. It was important to connect with her rational mind and not let emotions get the better of us. I had a pretty good argument as long as we stuck to the facts.

“You were ready to help me hunt down Regg,” I said. “That whole mess came from my side.”

“Yes, but—” she started.

“Yes but nothing,” I cut her off. “Did my handler try to kill you?”

“Yes,” she agreed.

“Then your family trying to kill me is no big deal,” I concluded. “We’re sharing the love, fifty-fifty.”

She sniffed, attempting a watery smile. Her hand floated up to touch my cheek, and I felt her slipping away. “I won’t put you in any more danger.”

“And I say you don’t have a choice. I’m coming with you.” I put my foot down.

She sighed, clearly unhappy with that response. I didn’t care. I knew that she could duck my attention if she was determined enough. She was more capable than I was as a spy, and the only thing that could possibly hold her back was her own decision. But I hoped she would see the benefit of having me along for the ride and make the choice to fight for our future.

“We’ll leave in the morning,” she said unhappily.

“Thank you,” I responded. “I’m going to tell Nana. Please don’t disappear without me.”