Page 102 of The Heart

“Come in, come in, this is Captain Fisher. Mama bird and I will be touching down in three… two… one…” The helicopter shakes as we land, and I hear Sebastian huff out a groan over Colton’s absurdity before speaking. That makes me smile.

“Copy that. We’re with Chen, he’s doing some hacking shit, trying to figure out how those motherfuckers got into the penthouse,” Sebastian says.

“Gray and Jones will be here within the hour, then we can head your way. You remember where the key is?” Luke asks.

“Oh, I remember.” Colton chuckles.

“Just hang tight. Leena?” Sebastian’s tone shifts.

“I’m here,” I say, already missing them.

“I love you, sugar,” he says softly.

“I love you both. Please be careful,” I urge them. I need them safe.

“We will, baby girl. Stick with Fisher, we’ll be there soon. Love you,” Luke adds before the transmission clicks off.

I dare a glance at Colton, but he quickly looks away, his jaw clenched. His wound must be hurting him again. As soon as we’re in the cabin, I’m finding where they hid the good drugs.

Once Colton finishes powering down the chopper, I somehow manage to help him out of it. We make our way along the dirt path and toward a large cabin, tucked away in the trees. I didn’t see a house for miles when we flew over, which already calms my nerves, knowing that we’re hidden here.

I help Colton limp up the front porch steps, then look around, wishing we could have come here under better circumstances. The guys told me they owned a cabin, but we’ve been so busy with work, we just never made the time to come here. I’m not even entirely sure wherehereis.

After I finish retrieving the key that was fuckingburiedin the yard, because my men are absolutely ridiculous, we make our way inside.

The entryway opens up into one large room. There’s a kitchen to the left, living area to the right and a loft upstairs. It’s surprisingly modern considering how rustic it looks from outside, but I suppose I should have guessed as much. Luke likes nice things, and Sebastian likes whatever makes Luke happy. Even though he’d never admit it.

We stand here in the silence, looking around.

“So... what now?” I ask.

“You don’t tell the guys I made you carry the bags or make me dinner?”

“I didn’t make you–” I pause, letting out a breath. I’m hungry too. “Well, how long until they’ll be here? Maybe they can bring us something?”

“He said an hour before the team is there, then depending where they’re at, it should take them…” He thinks about it for a moment. “Another five to get here.”

“Six hours?!” I exclaim. Because it took us less than two, but I guess that makes sense.

“A chopper is a little faster than a car. And the roads out here are windy as shit,” he explains.

“I’ll make us something. Come on, let’s get your sorry ass to bed,” I say, dragging the limping man beside me toward a hall that I’m really hoping has more than one bedroomthis time.

And thank fuck, it does.

—

After I get Colton settled into one of the beds with some pain killers, then retrieve our bags from the chopper, I make my way into the kitchen. It’s clear no one has been here for a while, because the only food I can find is instant pasta, rice meals and the MREs I’ll be avoiding at all costs.

I start filling a pot with water as I stare out the window, taking in the sight of the darkening woods. Then I start thinking about everything that just happened.

I’m suddenly angry at myself for getting us into this situation. All of this shit is because of me, because of who my father is.

We almost lost Colton because of it.

My chest feels heavy as I think about that, how I feel about having almost lost him.

I put the water on the stove and turn the burner on. Then I nearly fall back against the counter, sliding down it to sit on the floor, letting out a heavy sob as I start to cry.

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