Page 54 of Forgiving Fate

“Yeah. I have been staying with her in Washington. Didn’t want to be alone, and it was too hard being back home. Too many memories.”

Not a total lie, but good enough for now.

A knock on the door scares me, and I tell Harrison to hold for a moment while I check the cameras.

I see Landon standing by the door and my panic subsides. Rising from the chair, I head to the door and open it.

Landon stands in the doorway, his hands shoved in his jean pockets, and for once, he isn’t in his classic flannel. He’s in a dark gray hoodie, with The Needle embroidered on it and a matching black beanie on his head.

His eyes search mine before he says, “You didn’t answer my text.”

I nod and step aside, letting him in. I need to get back to Harrison. I can’t abandon him after dropping a major bomb on him.

Quickly, I go back over to my phone and flash Landon the screen, and hold a finger, signaling I’ll be just a moment.

“Hey sorry, you still there?” I ask, sitting back in my chair, watching as Landon walks up to the windows.

“Yeah. Everything okay?” Harrison asks.

“Yeah. Just had a uh–someone stop by.”

“Oh okay, well, I won’t keep you.”

“No no. It’s okay.”

“No, it’s fine. I remembered I made last-minute dinner plans with an old fling, so I have to run. Need to clear my head a little, if you know what I mean.”

“Yeah…I really do.”

“Alrighty. Well, I miss you Al. Tell Lolo I said I miss her too. And hell who knows, maybe I’ll join y’all in the Pacific Northwest. It’s getting a little too lonely here.”

“Of course.”

We say our goodbyes and I hope he doesn’t come soon because as much as I would love to see him, I am not ready yet to face Logan. Even if today I missed her and wished I could hug her.

Landon spins around and our eyes meet. Leaning with his back against the wall, he says, “You talked about them today?”

I nod.

“How was it?”

I shrug. “Painful as hell, but he doesn’t know the whole truth.”

“And who is he?”

A huff of laughter escapes me. “Surprised you don’t know. Since you know almost everything about everyone.” My words come out almost harsh and snarky.

His eyebrows narrow. “I know what I need to know to keep people safe. My job isn’t about invading people’s privacy. It’sabout knowing all I can to find them, find the threat, and bring them home safely.”

Shit. Why did I say it like that? I meant it as more of a joke, but I guess my emotions are all over the spectrum today.

I’ve seen a glimpse of what he and his brothers do. And they aren’t doing it for fame and glory. No one would put themselves in that position as much as they do for bragging rights and attention.

“Sorry. It sucked telling him. His name is Harrison. He was a friend of mine and Logan’s in college. He was super close with my parents and I told him that they…yeah.”

Landon’s expression morphs from slightly on edge to understanding. “You okay?”

“Nope. He only got the version of the truth that I am willing to say to that man. He is kind, sweet, a little crazy sometimes, but they loved him so much. And as much as I hate lying to him. I can’t break him with the hard truth.”

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