AllFreeNovel
Share Us
So many things could be different. So many things should be. Something. You know something? Your something. It will make you stronger. Something didn’t give you a choice and still you don’t have one. Mine is brave and honorable.
Don’t worry about me. I know who I am. You saw it. You felt it in your bones. Wavering isn’t an option.
Just because I didn’t choose this doesn’t mean I won’t survive. None of this is on you. Don’t ever think that. No matter what happens or how long it takes, we have to be steadfast. True. Stand alert.
You know where I am. Where you can find me if you want a bedtime story of your own.
We know the truth, Your Heart.
Her lips curled and thoughts warmed. Living long enough to see him again was her promise to herself. Just because they couldn’t be physical didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy the memories he’d given her to bask in.
One truth came into stark focus. To keep him sane and ensure he was never compromised, like on that video call, they couldn’t be intimate again. Never. No games or maybes. They had to be over to keep them both alive.
Life in London was going to be tough. Holding on to a small part of home would make it just a little easier.
In the past, her mom was the only constant in her life. She’d never had a home. Daire’s primary mission, before her, was to return to base. After realizing his love, he’d called her safety his primary mission.
Herprimary mission was less clear. Being away from Daire might not be a bad thing. He’d been her crutch as Danny after her mom’s death. Back then, she’d believed herself to be alone in the world. It scared her, even if she didn’t admit it out loud.
In a new country, she had an opportunity to learn about herself and her capabilities.
After mailing the letter, she walked in a loop to return to the coffee shop. With another coffee and lunch in hand, she went back to the park. It was close to the apartment, and she needed to know her angles. Ingress and egress, cover positions, a lay of the land. If things went wrong in the apartment and she had to split fast, she had to be ready to disappear.
She’d spent the day learning the park and surrounding streets, ending at the apartment before dark. That was her father’s rule, should be good enough for Zeus too.
For however long it took, she’d go through the same routine. Play along until there was another call and hopefully soon a letter. Daire was her strength. He’d get her through the days, even if he didn’t know he was with her every step of the way.
EIGHTEEN
EIGHT DAYS WENT BY. Eight days of rising and going through the motions. Seeing the city, exploring, learning her base. Like Daire said, expanding her contacts. Okay, so her super-agent skills weren’t up to much, but faces in the coffeeshop and mailbox store were becoming familiar.
A drop-in community learning hub was part of her daily routine. Among other things, they taught computer skills. Fighting her mother’s instinct, she embraced it, figuring it wouldn’t hurt to know the basics. Olympus was holding her; everyone knew where she was. The jig was up. The need to hide wasn’t top of the priority list anymore.
Learning the digital systems killed some time and provided her the opportunity to get to know people interested in helping others. Maybe she’d never need them, but maybe she would.
The highlight of her London trip had come that day. Daire wrote back. He’d received her letter and written back.
Damn, baby, you always find a way. Your strength still gets me. I don’t know how you do it. How you keep on going always so strong.
I told you what I’d do to get to you. I’m ready. I was from the second the sun sank in the sky and you weren’t at your post. Weren’t where I could see you. The only way you’ll be safe is in my eyeline. You were right.
I’m waiting for the word.
Give me an objective. They put you in the middle of this war. I didn’t see it, truly understand it until…I’d never known rage, not until they took you away from me. But it’s not all on them. I know that. I failed. Apologizing isn’t enough. I failed in my primary mission. I’m no good with failure. Never was. But it never felt like this. Failing you…there are no words.
Maybe I’d feel better if you needed me. If you called me to your side. The world would go to shit and the whole campaign would implode, but I’d be with you. I’m not sure anything else matters.
It’s certain no one touches the mail here until I give the go ahead. If anyone touched anything from your hands meant for mine, I’d slice both off and gut him. But you’re right, you have to be careful.
If you give me the word, I’ll be there, as fast as humanly possible, but I can’t be there in a heartbeat. If you get in trouble, if you’re scared or under threat, don’t write, call me, give me a signal on the video. Anything. I’ll be there.
Truth be told, I’m fighting not to take it out of your hands. When H said Z had you, when we were waiting for that call…I can’t do nothing. I can’t wait and hope, not when it comes to you.
Don’t ask me to be patient, Temptress. Give me the word. Please.
I told you it was too late, LR. Goddamnit, baby, it’s too late.
They had a line of communication. As soon as she’d absorbed his reply, she wrote a response.
