Page 129 of Rugger: The Huntress

I tilted my head as my shoulders lifted. He’d called my bluff.

“The fact that she escaped Rather’s office with her life should tell you that I haven’t forgotten.”

“Don’t disrespect me again, Rugger. A hard head makes a soft hear–”

“Tee Rugger!”

The small voice stole my attention. I searched in the direction it had come from. My heart tried escaping my chest as I waited for its owner to appear.

“Someone missed you,” Chemistry revealed.

“Was she the only one?”

Tiny legs came running around the corner as the words left my mouth. I wanted to recant and swallow them as soon as they came out. However, Chemistry’s softened eyes responded before his lips opened to speak again.

I placed my gun on the table behind me and leaned down. I scooped Chemistry Jru into my arms and pressed her body against mine. The breath I was unaware of holding came rushing out. My eyes succumbed to the prickling feeling.

Don’t. I warned, trying to gain control of my emotions.

Don’t. Not in front of Jru and certainly not in front of Teddy did I want to let a tear fall.

Rugger.

“Always, baby,” Chemistry responded, finally.

He forced a single tear from my eye. Before it touched my cheek, I pushed my face into Jru’s shirt.

“I love you– sooo much, Jru. Tee missed you.”

“I miss you,” she claimed, clinging to me as if I’d magically disappear.

“Practice?” I asked, sliding her down my body to touch the floor again.

She nodded as her smile reached her eyes. I removed the .22 from the table and placed it in her hands.

“Both eyes open,” I reminded her. “Perfect your aim and be sure before you shoot. Okay?”

I reiterated things she’d known since she could understand a full sentence.

“Okay.”

I stood back, proudly watching as she found her first target. The warmth from Chemistry’s body joined me.

“We’re not here for long. I wanted to lay eyes on you. She wouldn’t allow me to come alone.”

“You told her you were coming?”

“I couldn’t stomach lying when she asked where I was headed.”

Chemistry had never answered to anyone. Not even our father, technically. Hearing that Jru had him spilling his guts made me chuckle.

“She has you wrapped around her fingers.”

“She does.”

“You’re withholding information,” I sighed, feeling something heavy on his heart. “What’s the matter?”

“Egypt.”

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