Page 56 of Mountain Mens' Curvy Obsession

“And in the meantime, we’ll put some more feelers out to see if we can locate what’s left of your family,” Chance tells me. “Mills is already making calls of his own, but we’ve got former service buddies stationed in New York City as well. One of them works at the VA hospital in the Bronx. He’s pretty well connected, and he has access to the Health Department’s databases. He might be able to help.”

Nico gives him a nod of approval. “Not a bad idea at all.”

“I could look for a job,” I blurt out.

That brings silence to the breakfast table. Awkwardly smiling, I toss a few waffles on my plate, adding yogurt and a generous handful of berries on top.

“Why would you want to do that?” Booker asks, sounding confused.

I laugh lightly. “Well, for a multitude of reasons. The first and most basic would be that I would like to do something with my life. I’ve always wanted to create art, to work in the art field, to be free, in that sense. Maybe I could pick up a job at an art museum and work my way up from there.”

“The nearest art museum is in Missoula,” Nico muses.

“Plus, I’d like to pay my fair share. How much longer can I mooch off the three of you?”

“Are you serious?” Chance asks, sounding downright offended. “Put that out of your mind, Anya. Money is of no importance in this instance. It’s almost insulting that you would suggest that.”

“While I understand your desire for independence,” Nico adds with a soft smile, “Don’t worry about money just yet. You’re under our care, and we’re not letting you out into the world on your own until we make sure you safe and in perfect health. As far as the former is concerned, you are anything but safe. Working in a public place would only increase the risks. As for the latter, you’re still healing. Don’t forget that.

“You may have gotten over the biggest hurdles since the accident, but Max’s assault added a few new bruises,” he continues. “Don’t rush it, and certainly not on our account. You’re good here. You’re safe.”

“That being said, we could drive down to the craft store in town,” Chance offers, “and get you some art supplies. Do you remember the last time you painted?”

I shake my head slowly. “I’m not sure. The last painting I remember is a scene I finished shortly before Dalton. I gave it to Aleks to celebrate his new position in the family. He loved it.”

“Good. Then we’ll get you whatever art supplies you need, and you’ve got plenty of room here to paint as much as you want,” Chance decrees, “while we figure out what to do next.”

“Any news on that USB drive?” I ask, still hoping for the best.

But the brothers look glum.

“Not yet. Mills didn’t sound too hopeful either,” Nico says. “He’s got a buddy working as a tech analyst at Quantico, though. He said he’s going to reach out discreetly and get him to come up here for a visit and a second opinion. The department tech couldn’t do much in terms of data retrieval. The cold damaged the drive’s interface.”

“That’s a bummer. I wish I knew what was on that thing.”

“Do you remember anything about the drive, about it coming into your possession?” Chance asks, and as soon as I register the question, an image comes to mind.

I’m in a room. A bedroom, but it’s not mine. It’s warm and dark, dark because I’m not supposed to have the lights on. Somebody might see me.

“Even a glimpse of you in the window could kill us both.”

The old woman’s voice thunders through my head. I know that voice. It’s warm but stern. And full of grief.

I see it. The USB drive. Her bony fingers hand it over. I take it and stuff it in my jacket pocket.

“Aleks sent it to me via a courier, before it happened,” she says. “I’ve been waiting for the right time.”

I can’t make out her face. There are glimmers of white hair. Silver reflects in the flame of the candle on the nightstand.

“What do I do with it?” I ask her.

“You need to get it to Nico Hayes.”

“Anya?” Nico’s voice brings me back to the breakfast table.

“Someone gave it to me,” I whisper, “to bring to you. It was imperative that I get it to you.”

Chance puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. He plants a kiss on my temple for good measure. “And you faced a blizzard in Montana to get it to us. If that doesn’t make you fearless, baby—”

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