AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No…” Cleb said, embarrassed he’d wandered off the way he had.
“It’s okay,” I said. “Traes won’t be mad at you. I promise. He only cares that you’re safe. I’ll tell him I lost you, just for a few minutes, but I found you right away. And when I did, I realized the bad spy wanted to kidnap us and take us away somewhere. That’s true too, right?”
Again, Cleb nodded.
“And then you got scared and cried, making lots of noise,” I said. “I was scared too. That’s why I shouted for help. Some kind people came to help us and we escaped. That’s true too, isn’t it?”
Cleb nodded.
“But we can’t tell Traes I’m an undercover spy,” I said. “It might put him in danger. We need to keep it to ourselves. Okay?”
Cleb nodded.
“Okay,” he said. “What about tonight? When you go to the party?”
“What about it?” I said.
“Won’t they attack him? What if they try to hurt Uncle? Or take him away?”
“They won’t. They know he’s not a spy. They only want you and me. That’s why it’s important we keep this to ourselves and don’t let Traes know. We need to be careful.”
Cleb nodded. He sniffed and then hugged me tightly. I hugged him right back.
And now, sat in the chair in the front room, the little boy stuck fast to our story. It was the truth, mostly. He sat quietly, calmly, as if the whole event was washing over him without incident or effect.
At least, I hoped that was the case.
“Don’t worry about the event tonight,” Traes said. “You and Cleb are much more important.”
“We can still go,” I said. “I know how important it is for your business.”
“It doesn’t feel right,” Traes said. “We shouldn’t leave Cleb here alone after what happened today.”
“We won’t be leaving him alone. He’s surrounded by friends. Trust me. Everything will be fine.”
Traes studied my expression and reached the same conclusion.
“If you’re sure,” he said.
“I’m sure,” I said.
I refused to let his business suffer because of Asshole. I didn’t want that guy to have any negative impact on Traes.
Least of all because of me.
“It’s getting late,” I said. “We should get ready for tonight.”
I took Cleb by the hand and led him up the stairs.
“You did great tonight,” I said. “The commander will be very proud of you.”
He smiled at me but his face was lacking in genuine happiness. Maybe Traes was right. We shouldn’t leave him alone tonight.
“Do you think you’ll be okay by yourself?” I said. “We could stay home and play games and eat delicious food instead.”
Cleb shook his head.
“The commander needs you for the mission,” he said. “I’ll be okay with the others.”
