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“It’s weird.”
“If you like, I can pull over.”
“Would you mind?”
“Just give me a few minutes. I want to make sure we’re not being followed.”
Aaron took several turns before he was certain Sydney was secure from any further threat for the moment, then he pulled over.
After a few furtive glances up the surrounding streets, Sydney jumped out of the back and slid in the front, breathless.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Every time you ask me that, it makes me feel worse.” She folded her hands on her lap.
“Sorry.”
They drove quietly for a several minutes, but she kept looking over at him.
“Is there something you wanted to say?” he finally said.
“It’s just — After everything that happened to me with my dad, I’ve never really trusted anyone.”
“I don’t blame you.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve gotten used to it. It has become a way of life. But then you turn up out of nowhere and — ”
When she stopped talking, he looked at her. “What?” He really wanted to know.
“I don’t know. Even at the café before I knew I had something to be afraid of, when I realized it was you getting a coffee, it was like everything felt safe again.”
Aaron focused on the lines in the middle of the road. “I don’t know why. I never did much for you as a kid. I mean, I tried, but I don’t know how much good it did. Then today, I almost lost you.”
“But I knew you’d save me. I was scared when those men pulled me into the van, but somehow I knew you’d come. I knew everything was going to be okay.”
“You just knew, huh? I’m glad one of us had faith in my abilities.” His voice was sharp.
“Can we please move past your mistake? It won’t do either of us any good if you won’t let it go. I’m trying to tell you that I’m glad it’s you instead of someone else. I’m glad that even after all these years, you’re coming to my rescue. Maybe it’s stupid, or maybe it’s the little girl inside of me, but I trust you.”
Aaron didn’t know what to say, so he let the conversation fall into an uncomfortable silence for the rest of the drive.
* * *
When they arrived at Sydney’s apartment building, agents were already waiting out front. Aaron had a quick word with them before escorting Sydney inside.
She hid behind Aaron when she spotted a man standing outside her door. He put a hand on her fingers that were digging into his arm. “It’s okay. He’s with us.”
She slowly pried her hand from his arm with an embarrassed grimace.
“McCaffrey, you’ve been briefed?” Aaron said to the agent.
“Yes, sir.” McCaffrey was solidly built, and it was clear he took his job seriously.
“So you know what went down tonight?”
“I do, sir. Glad to see you both made it here in one piece.”
Aaron turned to Sydney, who’d taken out her key. “I’ll go in first,” he said. “You stay here with McCaffrey.”
