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Chapter Thirteen
Itdoesn'thitNathanuntil he's halfway through figuring out the logistics of closing out the case with Benny that Carter isn't the only one who isn't ready for this to be over. As Benny talks about flights and meetings and planning one final event that will bring everyone important together for the take down, all Nathan can think isholy shit, it's almost over.
He never allowed himself to think about theafterbefore. He wasn't lying when he told Carter he wasn't planning to survive it. Not even because he wanted to die, but because he was being realistic. When shit hit the fan - which it inevitably will - he planned to go down fighting. But that's changed now. He promised Carter he'd survive.
What will his future look like? Where will he go? Who will he be? Should he linger at the safehouse, or give Carter his space? Should he dedicate his life to tracking down every loose end - because those are inevitable in a case of this magnitude - or let himself finally fucking relax?
Nathan doesn't know who he is when he's not Nathan. It's been so fucking long.Did he manage to keep enough of Travis intact?
Will Carter fall in love with Travis like he said?
"Earth to Nathan." Fingers snap inches from his nose, startling him out of his thoughts.
He frowns at Benny. "What?"
"I know you're tired, but focus. This shit is important."
"Yeah, I know." Nathan rubs a hand over his face. "Sorry. What were you saying?"
"You'll need to fly out to Miller's base when everything goes down. It'll be chaos if you're not there. Vasco will set things straight with Miller's employees, and he already agreed to recognize you as the head of the region, but you need to be there. It needs to look like you're dedicated to running the area. Otherwise it'll be a neon sign that you're planning to bring it all down right away."
"Makes sense."
"Vasco said he's going to approach Miller tomorrow?"
"Yes. He's going to claim he's traveling, checking up on his hubs of operation, and will ask Miller if he's free for a drink. I told him I would provide backup, but he doesn't want any."
"You should still be there, somewhere nearby, to immediately step in. And we will need to send men with you in case things get hairy with the passing of power." Benny slides a list of names across the desk. "That's who I suggest. Two teams and a personal protection unit made up of me, Mica, Chris, and Donavan.
Nathan scans the names, not recognizing all of them. Sometimes he forgets just how many people work for him outside of his main group of men that stay in the mansion. Sometimes he forgets just how much Benny manages so that he doesn't have to worry about anything but playing his part.
"This is all great, Ben. Thanks."
Instead of relaxing, Benny seems to become even more tense. Nathan realizes why when his best friend says, "You can't bring Carter."
"Right." Nathan nods, as if he had already considered this.Because he should have."That'd be too dangerous for him."
"And I can't possibly stay behind."
Nathan's stomach curls. "Right."
"It shouldn't be more than 48 hours. He and Casey will be fine on their own. Leave them nonperishable food and plenty of water, and there shouldn't be a need for them to ever leave the rooms."
But what if things go wrong? What if it's more than 48 hours? What if Nathan and Benny get themselves killed?
"I got a burner phone," Benny says, as if he can read Nathan's mind. Which, at this point, he probably can. "Carter can use it for emergencies to call Maison. We can get you a burner phone too, if that’s what you want. That way you can keep in touch with him.”
"Do that. Yes.” Nathan picks at the corner of the piece of paper. “Please.”
"I’ll get right on it. This is Carter’s, though." Benny places the burner phone on top of the paper. He's still not relaxed. "I'm going to tell Casey the truth tonight. He and Carter can see each other then. If all goes well, I figure they can stay in your room together while we're gone. I think it'd be good for them both to have that time."
"That sounds good to me."
Benny eyes him, clearly debating something. Then he finally relaxes back in his seat and allows his lips to curve into a small smile. "We're so fucking close, Trav. Can't you feel it?"
"Yeah," Nathan croaks.And it terrifies him.
Carter feels like a soda can that's been shaken up and opened when Casey is brought into the bedroom. He sits on his hands, forcing himself to stay on the bed. Benny had texted Nathan a minute before, warning that things didn't go as well as he'd hoped. Casey is skeptical. And scared. Nathan told Carter he needs to be patient and calm.
