Page 264 of Lodestar

She squeezed my shoulder. “This isn’t on you, Star. This BS has been a festering wound since it happened, and you know how it rolls. Just because you survive a job intact, doesn’t mean that it won’t come and bite you on the ass at some point in the future.”

“She had a kid,” I whispered miserably.

“And it sucks. But it’s not on you. It’s on the Sparrows. In the future, we’ll work hard to make sure that there’s no collateral damage.

"However, in this, Ovianar’s been a dead woman for a long time.” Her gaze drifted to the open door of the bedroom where Troy was packing up her things. “So’s Troy if she won’t stop being stubborn and won’t let us help her keep those addled brains of hers inside her skull.”

Not allowing me to reply, she strode a few steps away, pulled out her cell, and put in a call to Reggie, AKA Regina. Before my forced sabbatical back in Afghanistan, she’d been our CO.

Remembering my cell had buzzed earlier, I checked my notifications.

Savannah: I need you

Fear burrowed into my soul.

Me: What’s wrong?

Me: Is it Kat? Is she okay?

Savannah: Sure she is. She’s eating with Shay and Victoria.

Thank fuck for that.

Me: Then what’s the problem? And don’t scare me like that!

Savannah: Didn’t mean to. I need you to tell Aidan that you won’t get Conor killed.

My brows lifted.

Me: Are you drunk?

Savannah: Maybe a little.

Me: FML

Me: I won’t get Conor killed.

Me: He’s still alive.

I snapped a shot of him and sent it to her. At Conor’s frown, I muttered, “Apparently, Aidan thinks I’m going to get you killed.”

“They have such little faith in me,” he grumbled.

“I think I’m the problem.”

Me: See? Alive.

Savannah: Then why is he telling Aidan that Dagda’s been shot?

Me: Because he has been.

Me: But Conor hasn’t. Look, I have to go. Sober up or you’ll have a killer headache in the morning.

Savannah: I don’t know why but I’m glad you’re back.

Me: I can feel your love across the state.

Savannah: Good. Bitch. Now, answer my other texts.

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