Page 135 of Shadowing You

“I set up a couple of cameras earlier, one near the road, one covering the back of the property. They’ll alert me if anything moves within their view, but this is a huge property. I can’t watch all of it. So stay alert. Stay inside. If you need something, I’ll take care of it.”

Ethan said, “Gotcha.”

“We’ll be careful,” Mei Lin added.

Asher took his duffel and disappeared toward the foyer. A moment later, a door closed.

Gavin stowed something in the fridge, then closed it. “He’s really good. Just do what he tells you, and you should be fine.”

Mei Lin folded her hands in the careful way of hers. “Lu Feng doesn’t know where we are, though, right?”

“As far as we know.” Gavin’s tone was guarded. “But we don’t know where he is, either.”

Ethan slipped his arm around her but spoke to his father. “Are you staying?”

“I haven’t seen my wife in a week, so I’ll be with her, but I’ll coordinate with State and the people searching for Lu Feng. We have intelligence assets working to root out the entire organization.” He focused on Mei Lin. “They may need your input.”

“I’ll do whatever you need.”

“I know you will.” Gavin’s phone dinged. “That’s my ride.” He put on his coat, then approached Mei Lin and kissed her cheek. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Thank you for…” Her voice faltered.

“Of course.” He turned to Ethan. “I’m proud of you. You got her out.”

“With your help, and Michael’s, and Alyssa’s⁠—”

“Great things are never done alone, son. We all do our part.” He held out a hand, but Ethan ignored it and gave him a hug.

“Thank you.”

Gavin held him tightly. “Anytime, anything.” He backed up. “I’ll be in touch. You two get some rest.”

After Gavin left, Mei Lin continued her tour, climbing the stairs to the second floor.

Ethan followed, but not too closely. He was giving her space. By the time he reached the landing, Mei Lin was disappearing through a door at the end of the hall.

Ethan stopped at the threshold.

The room had two giant windows that faced the rear of the house and its expansive view. A four-poster bed was positioned so that whoever slept there would wake to the scene. Even with the cloudy sky, the space was bright and cheerful.

“Can I stay in this one?” She turned to look at him. “I missed the sun.”

Her words were so casual, but the reminder had his insides twisted just like they did every time he thought about that prison.

He’d never been a violent person, but if he ran into Lu Feng, it would be a challenge not to hurt the monster who’d locked his wife away.

“I’ll get your things.” Ethan went downstairs, grabbed Mei Lin’s backpack and the bag of clothes Brooklynn had sent from the great room, and returned to her open door.

She was staring out the window.

“I’ll just put these on the bureau.”

She turned. “Thank you.”

“Are you hungry? I thought I’d take a shower and then start breakfast.”

Her gaze flicked to the bed. She must be exhausted, but she said, “I’ll meet you downstairs in a few minutes.”