Page 40 of Bound By Valor

“What is it?” I asked her, peaking through the mirror and glancing at Logan asleep cradling his glock in his hand close to his chest.

“A detour would be dangerous, right?” she asked hesitantly.

I nodded, “It would. Where did you want to go,Mi Corazón?”

I heard a faint snort from the back seat.Fucker.

“My parents’ house. Logan told me they were informed of my absence. But I just wanted to see them myself, you know?”

I sighed. This was how I was going to show that I trusted her to make her own choices. “I guess we could drop you off there. You can meet them for a day, explain your absence, and we’ll pick you up tomorrow?”

“What if–”

“Logan can play guard dog.”

“Logan can’t. But Leo’s man can,” he mumbled from the backseat.

I rolled my eyes and smiled.

“Are you sure?” Leora asked me, her voice shaky.

I nodded and pressed a button on the dash that connected me with the other car.

“Rivera 32577, confirming detour to Milton,” I said.

“Desmond 39901, copy,” Amelia’s voice came through, “Ghost, why?”

“Leora wants to stay overnight with her parents. I’ll watch guard, Logan can drive the rest with you guys.”

A faint“whipped”sounded on the comms.Kabir.Amelia cleared her throat and continued, “Got it, Boss.”

I disconnected and looked at Logan through the mirror, “You good to drive?”

He groaned and sat up, “Yep. When should I pick you both up tomorrow?”

“1300 hours,” Leora answered before I could respond.

“Oooh, already practicing being Alpha Squad Six, huh?” Logan singsonged.

I saw Leora smile in my peripheral vision.

Thirty minutes later we pulled up near a small suburban house in Milton. The house was well maintained, its brown bricks and white accents gave it a homely yet beautiful look.

As I removed my gear and vest to appear less daunting, Logan slid into the driver’s seat and drove away. I noticed Leora exhale shakily before she made her way to the front door. Matching her pace, I caught up and intertwined our fingers.

She pressed the doorbell, and shortly after, a white-haired woman swung the door open. The shock and joy on her face were palpable as she pulled Leora into a tight embrace, tears brimming in her eyes immediately. “Ora, my baby,” she exclaimed, holding her close.

Behind her, an older man—Leora’s father—appeared, his face breaking into a relieved smile. Oliver and Alessandra Mateez, both doctors at UHN, radiated warmth and concern. The depth of their greeting struck me, contrasting sharply with the distant relationship I had with my own parents, who hadn’t bothered to look for me during my years of no-contact. I knew if Zavier was still alive, I’d be granted my warm familial greeting. But that was no longer an option.

“Are you hurt?” Oliver’s voice was laced with concern as he gently cupped Leora’s cheeks.

Shaking her head, Leora reassured, “I’m completely fine.”

Their attention then shifted to me. With a slightly nervous smile, Leora introduced me, “This is Detective Zarek Rivera. He’s a cop I’m working with.”

My surprise must have flickered across my face, but I quickly masked it. What was she playing at?

Before I could utter a word of greeting, Leora quickly suggested, “Let’s go inside. I’ll explain everything there.”

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