Page 25 of Shadowing You

More questions to add to the growing list. As soon as she finished eating, he was going to start asking them.

“You’ll find yourself again, sweetheart.” He reached across the table, hand open.

She slipped hers into it.

He closed his eyes and breathed through a wave of frustration and gratitude. “Father, thank You that we’re together. You know everything we need. We trust You to keep us safe and lead us home. Bless our food. In Jesus’s name, amen.” He opened his eyes.

It’d been a short, simple prayer, but now she was crying.

“What is it? Are you⁠—?”

“I’m good. I’m so—” She managed to stifle the sorry before it escaped, pulling her hand away and swiping the tears.

“It’s all right, Mei Lin.”

At the sound of her name, she met his eyes.

He smiled. “I’m overwhelmed too.” He guessed she felt at least a little like he did. “We’re going to get through this.”

“I don’t know how.”

“Step one: finish your eggs.” He made his voice stern, and she almost smiled before picking up her chopsticks.

He ate a few bites with a fork he’d found in the drawer, forcing himself not to stare. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

When he polished off his breakfast—she was only halfway through hers—he stood to wash the dishes.

“Leave them for me,” Mei Lin said. “You cooked.”

“I got it. Finish your⁠—”

His phone rang.

He glanced at the screen. Only Gavin had his burner’s phone number, and it wasn’t Gavin. He ignored the call.

The Signal app Gavin had insisted he download chimed ten seconds later. Ethan dried his hands and read the message.

Answer your phone.

Who in the world…?

It rang again.

He connected the call. “Hello?”

“This is Michael Wright.” The man’s voice was steady. “I’m Gavin’s nephew, your cousin.”

“Oh. Gavin told me⁠—”

“Listen carefully,” Michael said. “You need to leave. You have three minutes. Don’t call for a car or taxi. Stay on foot. Go out the back. Stick to alleys. When you reach a main road, turn right, cross, and then go left down the next alley. Keep your phone on. I’ll have a driver meet you. He goes by Taibo.”

Mei Lin had gone very still, chopsticks suspended above her plate.

“I don’t understand,” Ethan said. “How will⁠—?”

“They know where you are.” Michael spoke slowly and carefully. “And they’re coming for her.”

Adrenaline pumping, he met Mei Lin’s eyes. “Three minutes?”