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“Here, let me look,” Kayla offered weakly. She stood and moved toward him, gently touching the skin around the wound as she examined it. It was clear she’d been crying, and judging by her trembling lower lip and how quickly her eyes were filling with water, she was about to be crying again.
Just like that, she burst into tears, grabbing for Sawyer just as he opened his arms to her and tucked her into his chest.
“I’m s-sorry. It’s… it’s just…” She broke off into fresh sobs while his brother patted her hair in an attempt to soothe her.
Kayla had lost her father only a few weeks ago. Those wounds were far too fresh, nowhere near scabbing over, and it couldn’t have helped that she was expected to take on the role of doctor in his absence.
“I’m fine, Kayla. Don’t worry about anything but yourself right now,” he offered. It wasn’t the most comforting thing, but it was all he had. Nothing would take the pain away. There was no way around this. The only way was through it.
At least his brother had calmed himself down long enough to be there for her. She needed the support now more than ever.
Sawyer lifted his head, meeting Hayden’s gaze. “I don’t think now’s a good time, brother.”
He simply nodded. “I’ll be gone for a bit, don’t come looking for me.”
Hayden could see the wheels turning in his brother’s brain, but the moment another sob escaped Kayla’s mouth, his attention was fully focused on her. Hayden gave a nod and held the communication device up. “I’m leaving this on your desk. Don’t touch it or let anyone else touch it.”
Sawyer nodded, but he wasn’t listening.
Oh well.
Hayden wouldn’t risk losing the device, but he already knew he’d be following Anna to see where she’d planned to take it.
Oddly enough, the thought of her attempting to return it to the UNR hadn’t crossed his mind. It was the most logical answer, of course, but it didn’t seem like Anna.
Anna, who had snuck food and water to the tortured Julia back when she was Alan’s prisoner.
Anna, who had told Hunter where to find Rain when she’d been captured.
Anna, who had risked her life to bring vital intel to the Resistance and help them in their efforts to tear down the UNR, once and for all.
Anna, who had chosen to run instead of hurt him.
No, Anna was not going to return the device to the UNR. Which meant she’d planned to use it, listen in on it, get intel from it. Just like he’d planned to do.
So why hadn’t she asked for his help? He’d have given it in a heartbeat.
He would just have to find out.
? ♥ ?
Anna’s wrists felt completely raw. Her toes were going numb. Hell, even her lower back was starting to hurt. It only made her hate the man in front of her more.
He sat at the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees as he waited for her to offer up some answers. In the hours he’d sat there, she’d given him nothing. And he hadn’t moved, hadn’t waivered, had barely even pressed her.
He just patiently watched and waited, occasionally asking the same old question in a new way.
What he wanted to know was clear… what was her endgame?
And that felt far too personal to answer.
What was she supposed to say? I was brutalized as a young girl and forced to join the UNR or prostitute myself, so I went with the one that sounded slightly less degrading? A man I trusted had hurt me so badly I couldn’t stand without assistance for months after? I’ve spent every day since plotting revenge until you and your Resistance buddies sauntered in, guns blazing, and fucked up all my plans?
No. She would absolutely not be sharing any of that.
So, instead, she stared at him, hoping that her anger would somehow burn away at his icy demeanor. Unfortunately, it did no such thing. Was the man in front of her even human?
He sighed, then stood. “Last time I’ll ask tonight, Anna.”
