Page 89 of Protecting the Nerd

The Canadians had arrested the terrorists. One of them had died as a result of the explosion. “Did you share any of the technology with them?” Coulson asked. “Because we don’t know yet if they communicated with other members of the cell about what they learned from you.”

York grinned. “Unless those people are interested in a math lesson, they won’t know anything. I told Igor, the guy who interrogated me, that I was happy to explain it all but that I’d need to start at the beginning. And so I gave him a masterclass in controls engineering. I just never got to the specifics.”

This man. Jesus, I was so in awe of him. Most people would’ve crumbled under the stress, but not York. He’d kept his head cool and had engineered his way out.

The FBI flew us back to Seattle and escorted us back home, where the press awaited. Coulson had prepared York for that, and he’d said he was willing to give a brief statement and answer some questions to satisfy them. Which meant I had to let go of his hand for a while, and I didn’t like that one bit.

“Were you treated well, Dr. York?” a reporter asked.

“As well as one can expect when you’re kidnapped. I had food and water and a safe place to sleep. The company could’ve been better, and the entertainment options were limited.”

That earned him a round of laughs.

“According to the statement, you created an explosion. What can you tell us about that?” another journalist asked.

“That you should pay attention in chemistry and physics class.”

More laughter.

“What was your strategy during interrogation?”

“To appear as if I was willing to share everything while at the same time not saying anything, which is not my usual style. In other words, my plan was to bore them to death by teaching math.”

His dry humor was a hit with the reporters, who gobbled it all up. But then a serious question came. “Three FBI agents have died as a result of the ambush that was set to kidnap you. How does that make you feel?”

York’s face grew tight. “Eternally grateful they put their lives on the line for our country and me. Make no mistake, if the technology I developed had fallen into the wrong hands, the security and safety of this country and those fighting for our freedom would have been severely compromised. They paid a high price, and we should honor their sacrifices. I will never forget what they did for me.”

By the time we were back in our house, it was almost midnight, and we were exhausted. Still, we showered together, needing that quiet time between us. York tenderly touched the wound on my forehead. “I was so worried about you. I hadn’t seen what happened to you.”

“They knocked me out, then dragged me out of the car and threw me into a ditch. I’m fine. Just a concussion.”

His shoulders sagged. “So we can’t…”

I chuckled. “Have sex? Nerdy, I’d have to be dead not to have sex with you.”

His casual words sank in, and with it, the deep realization of how close we’d been to death. Both of us. I leaned my forehead against York’s. “It’s over now, nerdy. You’re safe.”

“It’ll take a while for that to settle.”

I kissed him softly. “I know.”

I dried him off carefully, and he returned the favor as if we both needed the confirmation that this was real, that we were together again. “I love you so much,” I whispered.

“Show me, Quill. Let me feel your love.”

It would be my pleasure.

EPILOGUE

YORK

Seven Months Later

Iwas quietly working in my office, where the silly Christmas decorations Quillon had hung up were still on the walls, when the front doorbell rang. Who could that be? Maybe Fir or one of my other friends?

I was the first to admit that Quillon had been right. Staying in Forestville had been the right decision. The ghosts of the past had vanished, and one cherished memory after another was taking their place.

After putting extra security measures in place, I’d been cleared to work from home three days a week and only make the commute to Seattle twice a week. I could live with that. And when Auden had a position open for a new deputy, Quillon had applied and been hired.

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