Page 2 of ForeverMN

“Anyway,” Oaklynn continues, while giggling under her breath. “The company is SIEGE, they are labeled as car importers.”

“Clearly a cover up,” Kai throws out, and Silas grins.

“Andthatis why Reed sent this to us.”

With my hands folded in front of me on the table, I look over the images again. The location appears to be somewhere outside of Las Vegas. “He must be in deep with this gang if all he was able to send was a bunch of numbers.”

“Matt is still tight-lipped about what Reed is doing half the time,” Silas adds.

“As long as Matt thinks Reed is in an okay place, we keep up with what he gives us,” I respond, even though part of me hates it. There are so many unanswered questions, and I can only assume Reed is moving with the tide of the deep underbelly of darkness in order to feed us the information he does. “Are there any teams we can mobilize tonight, if needed?”

“Teams Sierra and Tango,” Silas answers.

“We could move them, and tell them to sit on it until we can get there,” Kai glances at me. “These containers are too big. I think if we wait too long there is a good chance we’re going to lose them.”

“Do it,” I agree with the order. Silas picks up his phone and makes the call.

“No luck again?” Kai turns to me, and I sigh.

“Nope.”

“Probably a good thing,” Oaklynn chimes in, “I don’t really see the Robin’s Egg blue barn in the back as something Saylor would like.”

I glance from Kai to Oaklynn and he shrugs. Clearly nothing is sacred between friends anymore. “Well, if she wants to give an opinion, then she’ll have to go look with me.”

“There’s a lot going on right now,” Oaklynn glances at me pointedly.

My anger immediately deflates, melting away. There has been a lot going on, and I know Saylor is handling it in typically Saylor fashion: by trying to make everyone else happy. The counseling center is new, and with our recent surge in survivors, she has been working overtime to make sure everyone is seen within their first twenty-four hours of being here. In addition, Saylor is insistent on being at home to help Mila with college, and spending time with her baby brother. Something Silas ismore than willing to do too. Their family has grown, and both of them are hellbent on being there for their siblings. I don’t mind. I want them both to have this experience after the things they have been through, but Saylor should be able to move forward as well. I want to take care of her.

“Both teams are getting packed up,” Silas breaks through my thoughts. “They can be there within the hour. Let Reed know to be aware.”

“Which means we have twenty-four hours,” I tell them. “I’ll text Reed. We leave in three hours.”

Everyone gets up, and I pull out my second cell phone. The one I keep strictly for Reed.

Me:On the move.

I stare at the screen and wait. Nothing happens, and after a few more minutes, I pocket the phone. It’s not unusual for Reed not to answer when he is immersed in an assignment. It just feels empty when we don’t hear from him. I know Saylor worries, we all do. I push the worry down and remind myself who Reed is. If anyone can handle the situation he’s in, it’s him. Our plane leaves in three hours, and I need to pack up.

Saylor

Ci:Heading out. Oaklynn can fill you in tonight. Love you.

I stare at his text, and let my fingers run over the typed out message. Another job...in a different state. A thrill spirals in my stomach for him, knowing the guys are on their way to save lives. I know each mission can be dangerous, but I also believe their training and intel is superior. They will be fine, and when they get back, my office will get a lot busier. Not that I’m complaining. After years of school and testing, I’m happy I can provide services for the people we serve. With my own experience, I know first-hand how important these first few hours are, and when people need to hear from me the most. Sometimes, people stay here in Minnesota, and other times they end up going to homes in other states. I keep tabs on everyone.

Me: Stay safe. I love you.

I type back before pocketing my phone. He won’t be able to contact me again for a few days. I often wonder how this phase of our life would continue to work. Will we never get a chance to see each other? Will there be resentment with time apart? Will I feel as if I’m helping Rogue, and not hindering it? I jumped right in after my high school graduation and never looked back. It didn’t even phase me to attend college and complete my degree and master’s program here as well. I know Oaklynn had dreams for me that were grander, the chance to party in Manhattan together, stay up all night at rock concerts before getting an hourof sleep, then rushing to class. That life worked for her. After everything I went through with my family, and being relocated here to Minnesota, I didn’t want to have a crazy, unpredictable life. I wanted stability, love, acceptance. And I found all that with my family here, and with Ci.

Ci. Poor guy flips anytime I tell him I’m not ready for wedding planning, or his latest idea…to look for a house. It’s not that I don’t want to take these steps, but I want Rogue to be strong before we do. I also have an idea, an image in my head, for what I want our house and dream wedding to look like. I only want to do this once, and I want it to be perfect. Which means expensive, which means I don’t want to be dipping into Rogue funds to pay for it. I know we can, as it’s how we live and get paid, but I feel guilty. With my license, I can contract out, and take on paying side jobs. At least, that’s what I’m hoping to do. I want to take this off of Ciaran so he can concentrate only on missions. Too bad he’s stubborn, and hasn’t backed off on the planning in weeks.Seriously, one would think I have commitment issues from the way he makes me sound lately.

“Hey!” Oaklynn calls suddenly, before opening my office door and walking in .

“Hey,” I respond cautiously, my brow quirking up. “What are you doing here?”

Her eyes roll, “Checking in obviously. I know you get anxious when the guys have to leave.”

“I get anxious?” I smirk in disbelief, “I think you have this reversed there.”

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