Page 239 of Red Marked

“No problem. I’m looking forward to our training later.” Brian pockets the syringe and pats the trunk lid.

“See you guys later,” Rift says, hauling her duffel out.

They walk off together across the lot. Brian says something, and Rift laughs and shoves him.

Then it’s just us, and it’s awkward. I don’t know where to put my hands, so I fold my arms.

Flint takes our bags out of the trunk, putting them at our feet. Then he closes the trunk and locks the SUV.

“Do you think he’ll be okay in there? I mean, I really don’t care about him, but what if someone finds him?”

“I doubt they will.” Flint looks over at the buildings. “I parked on the far side of the lot. We don’t get much traffic through here, if at all.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“This is very nearly over.” Flint smiles at me.

I nod.

“Let me help you with that.” He reaches for my bag.

“I got it.” I sling it over my shoulder and start toward the residential block, and he falls in next to me.

“Aside from taking out the trash, are we going to fetch the females tonight?” I hear how much I want the answer to be yes.

“Yes. I don’t want them out there for a second longer than they have to be. We’ll fetch Holt tomorrow.” He glances at me. “Are you going to go back with them to Mistveil City? I’m sure you all want to go home.”

“Yes. I have to. I need to see my family. I’m hoping Pryce lets us leave tomorrow.”

“I can’t see him stopping you. He won’t have too much say in the matter. The Council is going to be shocked. I’m pretty sure they had no idea.”

“It doesn’t look like it.”

“I’m sure you can’t wait to get back. It must have been really difficult to leave today.”

“It was.” I nod.

We walk. The gravel crunches. I make myself say it.

“I wanted to ask if I could come back. Here, I mean. I’d like to stay on the team. I would need to go home. I’m sure we’ll be questioned, but once the dust settles, I’d like to return. I enjoy the work and the team. I want to help find the rest of the vaccination center employees. After Holt, there are still four missing males.”

And I don’t want to leave you.

Shit!

Perhaps staying is a bad idea.

“Go and spend time with your family. When I head to the second clinic, you can come back. How’s that?”

My heart sinks.

“You’re an asset to the team, Star.” He keeps walking. “We’re going to have to come clean to Dr. Pryce about all of it, but I think he’ll understand why we lied. And why you needed a fake ID. He’s about to become famous. I’m going to let him take all the credit. I think the king will come and thank him personally this time.” He laughs, and then the laugh fades, and he stops walking. “I can’t be your direct boss, though.” He shakes his head. “There’s too much history between us. When Atlas takes over this team, you can report to him. It should work out well, but then the dust will have settled, and you should be ready to return.”

“Okay. That sounds good.” I try hard to sound upbeat.

It’s exactly what I expected, and I don’t know why I feel so shitty about it. There was a part of me that was hoping Flint would change his mind about wanting a relationship.

“You should go and rest up.” He starts walking again. “We’ve got a big night ahead.”