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“You’re hopeless and I pretty much hate you. Tell me what you want to say that’s so important and get out.”
A flash of anger doesn’t cross his features at my words. He’s still a touch sheepish around me. Good. He should be.
He’s also done with me and has probably already moved on to other nefarious schemes. I wish it were easy for me to move on from the mass devastation he created in my life.
“Have you heard from Zane?”
Sore subject. “Not recently.” I haven’t seen him since that tense moment in the hospital when he looked at me with fire in his eyes, the moment doubt invaded my soul.
I was discharged from the hospital the next day. I received a text from Zane shortly thereafter. He tried to call, but I was taking my first challenging shower with a plastic-covered cast. So, I missed it. Something I deeply regret.
Zane:I’m being sent overseas. Emergency mission. Have to leave within the hour. Not sure how long I’ll be gone. Really bad timing. Can’t get out of it. We need to talk when I get back. I can explain, Mila, I promise. Please let me. Take care, heal, and enjoy your time with your family. Everything will be okay. I love you.
I responded with a simpleBe safe.I love you and I’ll miss you.
There’s an ache in the pit of my stomach with Zane gone. I long to hear his explanation. I want to get it out of the way so we can return to the way we were.
At least, that’s what I’m hoping for. Maybe I’m a fool.
Other than a beautiful vase of roses and a get-well card, I haven’t heard another word from Zane.
Nothing. Like he disappeared off the face of the earth. It’s killing me. A long, slow, torturous death.
Was Ryker right when he said leaving was Zane’s talent? Has he left me?
I hope I haven’t made a huge mistake. Without him, I wonder what the heck I’m doing here in San Francisco.
“We tracked Zane down.”
“No surprise there. That’s your specialty.” This time, my sarcasm is not lost on him.
“He’s been out on assignment, some overseas mission where he doesn’t have cell service.”
I hide my stunned reaction. I’m relieved to hear he doesn’t have cell service. Maybe that explains everything.
I hope.
“We had to go through official military channels to reach him. He’s on his way home now.”
“How did you manage that?”
“If there’s a bereavement in the family, the military is very cooperative.”
Wait. What? Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Bereavement?”
“Yes. That’s why I’ve been trying to reach Zane. My father passed away two days ago. The funeral is tomorrow. Zane ought to be there. I was hoping you’d heard from him.”
Stunned again, my lips form a silent O. Zane is going to be overcome with grief. His beloved father meant the world to him.
Now I understand Ryker’s current expression as well. Grief has a way of making an appearance on people’s facial features.
“You meanourfather, notmyfather. Right?” I’m always inclined to defend Zane. He needs someone on his side.
“Ourfather,” Ryker snaps, sounding irritated.
Oops. There’s the real Ryker, shining through.
“Will you let him know the funeral service is at two PM tomorrow? I wanted to make sure I’ve made every effort to inform him. Otherwise, he’ll accuse me of cheating him out ofourfather’s funeral.”
