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“Do you want us to stash you somewhere and—”
“What? Come back for me when it’s all over?” She shook her head. “What if neither of you ever come back? I’m done hiding. I meant what I said about living as a coward.”
“Yeah, not a good idea to call Harry a coward.”
She gritted her teeth. “I am not one of his agents.”
“Olympus is all I ever knew. It’s all Harry knew since he was a kid,” he said. “It screwed with everyone’s head. I’m used to taking orders. He’s used to giving them.”
“I’m used to being treated as a human being. Not a mindless robot.”
“You’re anything but a robot.”
“I’m sorry I’m not all cold and controlled,” she said, trying to go past him.
He got in her way. His body blocked her path, bringing hers to a halt. “You’re never cold,” he murmured. “Little Red.”
When his finger rose to her temple, her attention ascended to his. He brushed the fingertip through her locks, tucking them back behind her ear.
“Don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t call me that.”
“You were the first and only person I ever chose for myself.”
“Mission,” she said, stepping back, swiping his hand aside. “I was the first mission you assigned yourself. Doesn’t make me feel special. Keep your distance. I’ll do the same.”
Before he could respond, the trailer door opened. Daire turned; she took the chance to get past him. Harry came in, closing the door behind himself.
“Money,” Harry said, talking over her, so she guessed he was addressing Daire. “Pack it up. We’re hitting the road.”
THIRTY
“WE HAVE TO HIT SIX FIRST.”
“You want to punish him,” Harry said. “Anger won’t erase what’s happened.”
Sitting in the back of the truck, Tess had her elbow propped on the door, her hand in her hair. It had been a long time since she’d said anything. Daire and Harry were more interested in their own back and forth.
“Anger’s your way of life, old man.”
“It’s not healthy. You shouldn’t let it rule your head,” Harry said. “You won’t make smart choices if you make them in anger.”
“You’ve been mad at Zeus for forty years.”
“No, not that long,” Harry said from the passenger seat, glancing at his ward, the driver. “The first ten years it was more aggravation than rage.”
That was maybe the closest thing she’d heard to a joke since they’d started driving three hours ago.
With no music and no banter, it felt longer than both the drive across the country and the one back again combined.
“Garrick is an option,” Daire said. “You want to approach him. Find out what he knows. What he’s planning.”
“Garrick was the best.Isthe best. But he’s no leader.”
“You think he’s waiting?”
“He’s an observer.”
“Which means he’s been gathering intel for a year.”
