Page 69 of One Second After Another

“Zeke will not be pleased the Vanquish was used,” Cross muttered, interrupting whatever his son was about to tell him.

Naz’s lips pressed in a thin line as he glanced sideways at his father. “That’s not even close to being the most important thing happening right now, and you know it.”

“I’ve said what I’ve said, Naz.”

“Dad—”

“I did what I did.”

Ah.

Penny came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the porch at the same time she realized Naz being here wasn’t entirely coincidence. It seemed the man had finally found out the truth about his father’s involvement with her disappearance years ago, and he had come to talk about it.

Bad timing.

She was here for her dues, too.

“The lodge was attacked—The League came up on us,” Penny told Naz. “Three hours after you guys left.”

“Is Luca—”

“Probably dealing with his father now.”

Naz flinched.

Next to him, Cross simply stared at Penny. “Why are you here? That’s a better question.”

Wasn’t it?

“This needs to end,” she told her former boss, “but I think I need your help.”

He’d helped her once.

She was willing to ask again.

18.

Luca

THE familiar ceiling above his head should have been a comfort to Luca when he woke up, but it wasn’t. He spent too many seconds following the curvy swirls in the plaster with his gaze and breathing in the scent of his parents’ home. A mix of cinnamon and fresh apples. Scents his mother loved, he knew.

He’d barely been awake more than a minute before a throat cleared to his left. He didn’t need to turn his head to know his father was watching him from the living room entryway. He still did nonetheless.

Zeke stared back, quiet.

The mug of coffee in his father’s palms, the rim rolling with steam, dared to make Luca’s mouth water at the thought of something hot and bitter. Zeke didn’t offer the mug, or even a word, where he leaned in pajama pants and a plain tee while Luca righted himself to a sitting position on the couch.

“What time is it?” he asked.

Zeke sucked air through his teeth, replying, “Little after ten.”

Luca blinked. “In the morning?”

“It’s not dark outside, is it?”

He didn’t bother to check the window. He was more surprised at the fact his father was still in pajamas considering the time. It told Luca a lot without his father needing to say a word.

“How much was lost?” Zeke asked.