Page 39 of Redeeming Meg

Planning.

Planning for a future they both knew wasn’t in the cards. A home, family, normal jobs…neither of them was cut out for that shit.

“Sometimes, I still think about it,” he murmured, linking an arm through hers and drawing her closer like a lover would do. “About those plans we made.”

Her silence stretched out as they kept Tessa in sight, but she slowed their steps as if she wanted to draw out the moment a bit longer.

Finally, she leaned her head against his shoulder. “Sometimes, Dec,” she said, barely above a whisper, “I do, too.”

FIFTEEN

The safe house was a nondescript thing tucked away in a quiet corner of a rundown neighborhood outside the city.

The structure looked like any other old, weathered building in this part of town—a faded façade with crumbling bricks and shutters half open as if the house were afraid to see the world. Meg didn’t blame it.

“Not much to look at,” Declan muttered as they trudged up the overgrown sidewalk.

Morning was only a few hours away, and they had used a ride service to drop them off a few blocks south, but Meg’s feet ached from all the walking—and running—she’d done in the past forty-eight hours. Her eyes would barely stay open.

Tessa glanced back at him. “Some might say the same about you.”

Meg snorted, feeling punch-drunk. Dec shot her a look of consternation.

They entered through the rear, where Tessa punched a code into the keyless lock. The wooden door creaked, and for a split second, Meg felt like she was entering a haunted house rather than a safe one.

Absolute darkness met her eyes before Tessa flicked on the lights. They hung their coats in the tiny mudroom, and Tessa reset the security system, rattling off the code for them to memorize.

The mudroom led to a kitchen with top-grade appliances. “There’s an assortment of dry goods and canned foods in the pantry,” Tessa said. “Frozen meals are in the freezer but I’m afraid it’s light on perishables. I wasn’t expecting company.”

“Coffee?” Declan asked.

Tessa pointed to an upper cabinet before leading Meg through a small living room with a single bedroom and bath to the right.

One bedroom, one bed. Great.

Meg dropped onto the mattress, stretching out her aching shoulders. The tension that had built up in her body was impossible to shake. Her muscles screamed for rest, but her mind wouldn’t let her. Not yet.

Declan surveyed each room with the sharp focus he always had on every mission, regardless of how tired he was. He checked the locks on the windows and front door and made sure all the blinds and curtains were closed.

Tessa caught Meg’s eyes and rolled hers.

Meg found it comforting. Security systems could fail. Dec didn’t.

“Towels and linens are in the bathroom closet,” Tessa told them, walking back through the tiny place. “Clean clothes are in the armoire.” She headed for the back door. “Let me know if you find Tommy.”

Meg trailed after her, feeling a touch of panic at being alone with Declan. “Wait, you’re leaving?”

Tessa glanced at the clock over the sink. “I have to be at work in four hours. Tell Flynn I’ll send him a bill for my services.” She waved. “It’s been fun—kind of. Good luck.”

As the door shut behind her, Meg stood in the mudroom, stunned. Declan reset the security system before brushing a hand over her back. “Why don’t you go take a hot shower? I’ll scrounge up some food.”

She just stood there, everything crashing down on her like a giant wave in the ocean. Food and sleep would help, but then what? Tommy was out there somewhere in the night, and she couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d done.

She didn’t have all the facts, so jumping to conclusions was pointless, and yet…

Those conclusions pummeled her brain, regardless.

She hadn’t realized he was employed at the embassy.

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