Page 42 of ForeverMN

“I’m being hunted. If they find you, they find my weakness.” Nash tells him, showing his vulnerability to his son.

“Will I see you again?”

Nash and I make eye contact, but the words he delivers are meant for his son. I already know the real answer. “When you turn eighteen and graduate high school I’ll look for you. Until then you have to stay with Rogue. I need you to be safe, buddy. I love you.”

The boy’s eyes run all over his father, memorizing him, remembering every detail in order to make the separation bearable. “Okay, dad.”

Nash stands and reaches out to shake my hand. I grasp his hand with my own, and his fingers flex. No father should have to give up their child. I will fight for his son to stay alive just like he is. That is Rogue.

“Let’s go,” I tell the boy and his dark eyes turn to me. His head dips, but he follows as we exit the building and take the service elevator down.

One of the members of my extraction team is waiting at the vehicle and I help the boy in before getting settled. The SUV remains thick with tension and uncertainty while we make our way out of the city and towards the private airfield. I haven’t secured his identity yet so there is no way we could take a regular civilian flight.

He’s quiet when we pull up, but there is zero hesitation in his steps when I usher him into the plane. I don’t think he relaxes until we’re in the air and the pilot has assured us a smooth flight. I send a quick text to Saylor, knowing she is waiting to hear from me.

Me: I have him. Might want to prepare a bed for tonight until I can place him.

Saylor: I’m proud of you. What you did was a good thing.

I smirk at my phone even though she can’t see me. My wife is a softie, and I knew the minute Nash reached out she would want to help. Not because of the history between us all, butbecause she is truly a mother at heart, and she wouldn’t let a child be in danger. She’s Rogue just as much as I am.

“Did your dad tell you much about Rogue?”

The kid’s dark hair swishes on his head when he shakes it. “No. Just said it’s similar to his company, but larger.”

Larger is an understatement. While GO maintains the eastern seaboard we’ve got the rest of the nation covered. “It is similar. Although your dad specializes in a certain type of case, where Rogue helps people of all genders, ages, and families, in different situations. That’s why it is larger. Though not necessarily better, or worse.”

I spend the rest of the flight preparing him for life when we land. I tell him about Minnesota, about Savage Lakes, and the rules he’ll be expected to follow over the next few years. When we land, the extraction team disperses, and I send an alert to Kai, making him aware I’m ready for updates. His response is instant.

Kai: Safe for travel.

The boy buckles himself in and I start up the engine. “We have about half an hour until we get there. My wife made tacos for tonight, but I can grab you something now if you’re hungry.”

“I can wait. I like tacos,” He agrees before the small smile falls off his lips. “Am I staying with you?”

“For tonight,” I nod my head, “There is a family that is vetted by me who is ready for a new target. It will be more believable for them to have another child as they are new to Minnesota. They previously lived in Michigan.”

“Okay,” He agrees and I swear I see a flash of disappointment in his stare.

“I’m always around. You can talk to me at any time, or let your foster family know you need to talk to me. Remember, you aren’t the only kid here who is in the same situation.” I give him a small smile, “My middle son is a few years older than you andmy youngest is almost your age. She’ll be twelve in a few months. You can meet them tonight and they will also be available in school to help with anything you need.”

“Your kids are trained in Rogue?”

“It’s a family business,” I confide in him and feel my lips twist in a smirk.

He’s quiet the rest of the way until we pull into the driveway. His lips part in awe of the house Saylor and I have built. I expected that maybe they might be sleeping by now, but the lights are on in every room. I can only imagine the sight it makes, until my family appears on the porch, waiting for us. “Welcome home, kid.”

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