Page 8 of ForeverMN

I shake my head, “I’m sorry. I know you wanted to talk about Mila and your mom.”

Saylor shrugs, “It’s okay. The problem won’t go away over this weekend anyway. How long will you be gone?”

“Depends how far we get. This is a pretty new case, and we have zero information yet,” I explain, and lay my head against her. I often wonder if these are the types of instances that drive wedges between relationships in Rogue. It is always the unknown. No matter how many plans we make, or things we think we have time for, it can all change with one phone call.

Saylor turns in my arms, and wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me, “I’ll miss you.”

My chest squeezes and I hold her tighter. I may have saved the planet in another life to have this girl right now. With just three simple words, Saylor has shown again how perfect she is for me. I’m not worried about leaving her, and I will get back as soon as I can, that’s for damn sure.

“Can you grab me those bags,” I point toward the shelf over Kai’s shoulder.

He nods and grabs the bags, handing them to me. We arrived in Texas early this morning before being picked up by the closest Rogue team, and then drove the rest of the way to the border.

“Reed’s latest information said that they would be traveling this direction,” Silas keeps us informed while we set up camp in a broken down, rusty trailer in the middle of nowhere. The perfect cover, while other team members are stationed along the bluffs of the area.

“They won’t move until it’s dark out,” Kai sets up a camera, while I put together our rifles, and try not to look at my phone.

Before I left Saylor’s house last night, I gave her the folder with all the house information in it, and asked her to meet with Kimberly this weekend for me. She took the folder, and didn’t outright tell me no, so I’m hoping it is a good sign. I’m waiting for Kimberly to confirm they are out looking.

“What are you so excited about, that you keep checking your phone?” Kai asks. Of course, nothing slips past him.

“Saylor is looking at houses for us today,” I answer, before checking the scopes.

Silas sighs, “Ci, relax man. Everything will work out with the house. Things have been stressful lately with the family.”

I glance at my best friend. The one guy who rarely talks, or gives his opinion, suddenly speaks up, “I know everyone is bent out of shape about Mila, but I trust things are fine.”

“It’s not just about Mila. I mean, it is, but it’s causing a divide in the family. Kelly is convinced something is wrong, and I agree. Mila seems off, even for her. And I don’t know, something about the way she looks is different too,” Silas runs his hands over his face.

“You think Saylor and Jason disagree?” I question, thinking over my previous conversations with Say. She never seems as worried as her mom is feeling.

“Yeah. They don’t see it. My dad swears he and Matt have talked to Reed, and he hasn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. Kelly got mad at my dad for looking into Mila’s private files, and then Saylor got mad at her mom for putting us all in the middle of the situation. It’s fucked,” Silas explains. Fuck, that’s a lot of family drama.

“And you’re planning to marry into the fam,” Kai reads my face, “You better pick a side.”

I grunt, “Can’t I remain neutral?”

“That’s what I tried to do, but Kelly made some valid points. She knows Mila the best, and she said she has the same feeling as the day Mila was shot and taken,” Silas’ voice gets lower, and I can tell he’s remembering that day as well. Rogue received the images and video of the aftermath, and I’ll never forget the terror on Saylor’s face, and the heartbreak of thinking her sister wouldn’t live. My jaw clenches because even though I’m aware ofthe situation, there are clearly more things going on that I don’t know about. Things I probably would have been told before this assignment came up. I grab my phone and quickly send her a message.

Ciaran: When I get back let’s take the weekend to go somewhere, just you and me.

The three little dots dance around, and stop, before starting again.

Saylor: Are you sure? It’s been busy lately for you. If we can get away, I need it!

I reply that it’s a plan, and wish her luck on house hunting. She doesn’t reply to that, but I’m soon distracted by the sound of a revving engine outside. I meet Kai’s gaze, then Silas’s. As quietly as I can, I reach for the earpiece laying on the counter, and put it in, before flipping the on button. “Zulu, what’s your status?”

Silence follows, and I check my mic, listening to the chirping in my ear letting me know things are working on my end. Icy tendrils of dread start to wrap inside my veins. “Zulu.”

The engine is growing louder, and heading in our direction. Kai lifts his scope and pushes it out the window.

“It’s an old model Ford truck.”

Silas manages to get up on the top bunk, where the rear window is, without jostling the camper, or making a sound. He flips his night vision on and peers through the blinds. I see his hand flying over the paper before handing me the license plate. I quickly text it to Rogue and wait for confirmation.

“He stopped,” Kai breathes out, and we all keep quiet. My heart races and adrenaline fuels my veins.

“He’s taking a piss,” Silas reports, and I feel my lips twitch.

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