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“But what exactly do you do?”
“Security. For sure, that’s a big piece. Handle ransom demands. We take jobs…mostly international…for governments when they don’t want to get involved. It can sound sketchy but unlike a lot of the privates that are motivated solely by money, Arrow is fully funded. The founders are motivated for all the right reasons.” He tilts his head and looks me straight in the eye. “We find missing people. You came to the right place, Sage.”
“All that sounds like… I mean, how much will it cost?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
“But you’re using employees. Resources. That has to?—”
“One of the partners is loaded. Jack Sullivan. Billionaire. More money than anyone could spend in a lifetime. Family money. Owns Sullivan Arms.” He says it like I should recognize the name, but I don’t. “They make weapons. Guns. Jack bankrolls Arrow. He’s a good guy. Former Navy. CIA too. He’s looking to do good. He definitely looks out for his fellow servicemen.”
“Did he know Sam?”
“Maybe. Who knows? Pretty tight-knit community. But Ryan had heard of Sam, and he told me Arrow is all in.”
“And Erik? And Kairi? And those others on the chat earlier?”
“Erik and Kairi are partners, too, but I’ve never met them in person. They live up north. They’re not former military. Their background is in intelligence. Max is actually considering training so he can work with them.”
“Not you?”
“Nah, I’m not much of a computer guy.”
That half-smile plays across his lips.
Lips that once, a long time ago, I stared at too long. Back when I misinterpreted that half-smile. The memory brings heat to my cheeks. He’d backed up. Couldn’t get away fast enough.
How many times have I wanted to apologize for that? For embarrassing him? For being completely inappropriate. It was so long ago. I hope he’s forgotten about it. But there might not be a tomorrow. There’s no time like the present to apologize. You can’t bank on having another day. “I’m sorry?—”
“Haven’t you said that enough? You have nothing to be sorry for. I’d be mad at you if you didn’t come to me. I’m sorry about your house.”
I don’t want to dwell on my house. Not right now. “Well, as Jimmy said, on the bright side, there’s insurance. And, thanks to Sam, I’ve got USAA.”
“They’re good.”
“Jimmy knows someone who works for them. He’s going to have them come out.”
“He won’t tell them where you are?”
“Oh, no. He won’t.”
He stares at me, like he’s trying to determine if I’m telling the truth. And it’s a good thing I am, because there’s something about sitting so close to him, about being the sole focus of his attention. I feel bared. Open. Raw.
Millie approaches the sofa, glances at Knox, and hops up beside me, curling so she nestles into the side of my leg. Such a sweet dog.
There’s no day like today. The words play in my head as my fingers sift through fur.
“You know…I never apologized for that time I…” Tried to kiss him? Threw myself on him? “Never mind.” I dig my nails deeper into Millie’s coat, scratching her back. “You probably don’t even remember.”
Why would he? Why did my thoughts go there? I never should’ve brought it up. It was so long ago. A childish mistake. It’s the honey brown eyes coupled with tortoiseshell spectacles and the proximity.
“You think I’d forget a beautiful girl kissing me?”
Deep indentations on the edge of the coffee table capture my attention. Heat singes my cheeks.
“You do not need to apologize.”
I’m such an idiot. I should’ve never brought this up.
