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“How much of a relationship?” Asa asked.
I sighed, blowing out a breath. “He was the first guy I thought I loved. I was only seventeen, and he fought his attraction to me, but eventually, things between us became more. He sent me gifts and was the one person I felt saw me during that time. It was a dark period of my life, and he saved me in many ways. His betrayal hurt, but I also realized how far down the dark side I’d gone. He’d set me up to take the fall, and the things I did, I hate myself for them. Until I deal with him, I don’t feel like I deserve a future. He stole some of my innocence, and I will never get it back. But maybe I can stop him from hurting others. I don’t really know why it’s so important, but after I was taken, it was like, all I could think about was the first reckless mistake I made, and how maybe if I corrected it, then I’d be okay, I’d have a chance at a future without feeling so broken.”
Tears threatened to come again, and I realized how much I’d just spilled to them. More than I’d admitted to even myself. Purging it from my chest felt good, though, and it helped remind me of my purpose.
“You think revenge is the best course?” Cohen asked.
“It’s the only way I think I can get that part of me that was broken that night, by making him pay.”
“Okay, I’ll help. It’s not going to be easy. “
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I turned to Asa, needing to know his response. “You?”
He bit his lip, looking me over. “If this is what you need, I’ll help however I can.”
I kissed his cheek, squeezing his hand. “I love you, Asa.”
He softened, kissing my temple as he pulled me into his arms. I looked over at Cohen as he watched us. I didn’t know what I expected to see, but it wasn’t lust. Swallowing, I dropped my eyes, not ready to examine that yet.
“Once I got here, Blackhawk sent me to do surveillance on a building and then wait for his contact in a cowboy hat. It turned out, it was him, but I didn’t know that until I got back to the hotel room and opened the envelope. In the process of searching for him, I was doused with a tray of drinks, and it ruined my computer. I had to call Milo to get a new one.”
“Milo? Is he here?” Asa asked.
I shook my head. “No, he’s just been helping me.”
“The one person we didn’t think to ask,” Cohen said, smiling. “You’re smart, Finley Reyes. So, what happened after that?”
Getting up, I grabbed the paper and handed it to Cohen. “Apparently, there wasn’t a job, but another puzzle to find him. By the time I got to the location, I was too late and was doused in paint. Though,” I said, snapping my fingers and pulling out the piece of register tape from my pocket. “Here was a message in morse code. We just need to decode it.”
Cohen’s eyes lit up, reaching for it, but stopped himself. “May I?”
Nodding, he took it, and an excited look came across his face as he went back to the table and pulled out his laptop.
I sat back on the bed, taking Asa’s hand. “I am glad you’re here. I’m sorry for running away. I thought it was the best option at the time.”
“I know, Fin. I’m here now.” He kissed me, pulling me into a hug. “You have to be the one to tell Sawyer, though.”
Cringing, I knew he was right as a laugh bubbled out of me. “Fine.”
Twelve
FINLEY
“Yes, yes, I promise.”Sighing, I hung up the phone and stayed against the wall for a moment. I’d stepped out into the hallway for some privacy since I knew Sawyer would yell, and she had, but then there had been a lot of tears and talking through things that had been needed.
It was sad to say that it had taken me this long to realize I was stubborn and didn’t like to let people help me. Shocker, I know.
Feeling lighter now that I wasn’t hiding from everyone, I inserted the keycard and stepped back into the room. Asa and Cohen were bent over his computer as they worked on the morse code riddle at the table. It had taken Cohen no time to crack it; apparently, he was fluent in morse code. But the message hadn’t made sense.
I can crawl, I can fly, I have hands but no legs or wings either. What am I? Have you forgotten?
Asa looked up when the door clicked, meeting my eyes. It felt nicer having him here, not doing this alone. I needed to remember that for the future and stop running off by myself.
“How’d she take it?” he asked, coming closer.
“There was a lot of yelling and then crying, but I feel better. I promised her I’d stay with you and wouldn’t try to leave you guys once you fell asleep.”
“Shit, I hadn’t even thought of that.” His face whitened, and I felt even worse for the pain I’d caused him.
