Page 135 of Sin

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The funny thing about lost things is they’re never truly gone

Lewis’s funeral was held on a crisp autumn morning at the end of September, only a couple of days before his twenty-third birthday.

The Legion sat in the front row, the closest thing to family he had in the end. He hadn’t had any family left, not by blood anyway. But he had friends in spades. And as the pastor droned on, speaking of heaven and God, I found myself gazing around at the room.

The small church was packed full of all sorts of people. There were other government teams who’d come to pay tribute to a fallen soldier, a small convenience store owner who came to say goodbye to a man who always made sure to stop by when he was in town, a young woman with red-rimmed eyes who stood alone at the back of the pews.

President Osborne sat across the aisle from us, and as if she’d felt my attention, she met my gaze.

I recalled that night we went after Keith, the night we’d lost Lewis just a couple of weeks ago.

We’d know we’d gone against orders, had stolen government property, and helped aid a known and wanted fugitive in seeking some justice. We’d thought we would be arrested that night. Had fully expected it.

A dozen police cars and several ambulances pulled up in front of the house. Behind them, three black SUVs blocked the drive, cutting off our exit.

Not that it mattered. We weren’t planning on running.

Doors slammed, and President Osborne, flanked by several personnel rushed from their vehicles.

When she spotted us, her expression crumpled at seeing Lewis’s body. But when she noticed Keith, then Lucas in the middle of the group, fear flashed in her eyes. She took in Lucas’s cuffs, the way he ignored her to kiss Mare’s forehead, and she waved several of her officers forward to grab him and Keith.

He didn’t fight them when they snatched him away from Mare, but he did say something to her, too softly for the rest of us to hear. Based on the way Mare’s tears flowed heavier down her face, he’d said goodbye.

I wondered if he’d end up in the special prison cell Cyril had warned me about. I could only hope they’d find a way to help him.

After making sure Lucas and Keith were successfully detained in the car, President Osborne returned to our sides. She didn’t say anything for a good ten minutes as we watched the firefighters attempt to douse the flames. They poured water onto the flames, but it didn’t look to be working very fast.

There were officers everywhere, surveying the scene and guarding Lucas’s and Keith’s van. A group of them stood off to the side of our group, looking antsy to come closer and ask questions, but refraining because of President Osborne’s presence.

Finally, she spoke.

“I should have you all arrested for the stunt you pulled today.” Fire flashed across her irises. “You disobeyed direct orders. You used your powers to steal back confiscated items. You used your powers on the innocent man. You not only aided, but equipped, a dangerous person. You destroyed someone’s private residen—”

“Actually, that was Keith. Well, mostly,” Jinx interrupted before he could think better of it. His eyes widened in alarm before he quickly added, “Ma’am.”

President Osborne slanted her gaze to him, before studying each and every one of us. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t have every single one of you cuffed and off to prison right along Mr. Pittel and Mr. Delacruz.”

“Because with all due respect, ma’am,” London said, daring to meet her hard expression, “Mare is part of us.”

Blade didn’t look up, stroking Lewis’s hair back as her tears continued to wet his face. “And the team puts each other first.”

President Osborne didn’t speak for a long time. Finally, she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Then she moved to tower over London and me.

She tossed something into my lap, and I cautiously held up the small glass vial of blood. “Mend said to tell you to just ask next time.” She moved around the group, handing everyone a vial of blood. “Said he had a feeling you all might need these.”

“Ma’am?” Jinx asked, staring at the blood in confusion.

“While I don’t agree with what you did, nor will I allow your actions to go unpunished, I understand why you did what you did today.” She glared around at our disbelieving looks. “That said, you’re all on probation, effective immediately.”

“You’re serious?” Jinx asked.

She raised a single eyebrow down at him. “Would you rather I arrest you?”

His eyes opened wide in alarm, and he shook his head frantically. “No, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.”

Rolling her eyes, she turned to leave, but stopped. “Don’t make me regret this, yeah?”

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