Page 235 of The Reluctant Hero

My sleep is deep and dreamless that night. By the time the doctor got called out, arrived, gave me a clean bill of health, and left, I was exhausted. I remember shuffling past everyone to get to my room and shutting the door as if they didn’t exist. My brain was going through too much turmoil to even make the effort.

When I got out of the shower, Jake was in bed waiting for me. He held me all night without saying a word—a silent comfort. When I woke up, he was gone, but his spot was still warm.

I’m more sore today than I have been. From too much or too little activity. I don’t know. I do know that I’m thirsty as hell, and I need to pee, so getting my groggy ass up is a must.

I’ve just finished showering and dressing when a text comes in.

Unknown: I’m rooting for you pumpkin!

Unknown: Show no mercy! We’re Jeffersons!

Two different numbers that I am very familiar with. My parents.

Since when do they group chat? I thought I told them not to call again.

Technically this isn’t calling but damn them for their loophole-finding ways!

Regardless, seeing the unconditional support perks me up a little. I haven’t been feeling so great since yesterday’s bullshit.

I don’t answer the texts, but they do motivate me to eat something. I can’t remember when I last ate a full meal, and it needs to happen.

Breakfast is in full swing when I walk in and take my seat. They barely have a chance to start getting up before I’m digging into food without Jake’s help.

“Are you ready to answer questions now?” Gabriel asks in a flat tone.

“Go for it,” I answer the same way and start eating.

“We had someone look into the rest of the paperwork you left behind. All the properties were clean. As a matter of fact, they are all locations I had pinned to check. How did you manage to find the four you did?”

My eyes roll up to meet his. The suspicion he’s trying to subdue makes me scowl.

“My superpower,” I make the words as mocking as possible, even though it’s the batshit insane truth.

“Shade,” Ace gnashes his teeth while he glares at me.

Both answers are true so I refrain from making any comment.

“You have notes here about all but one of your locations,” he holds up the aerial photo of the blank space where the high rise is being built. My lip curls in disgust as I stab some eggs.

“It’s the same as the golf course. An underground dungeon with a high rise being built over it. It wasn’t ready yet.”

“I’m fuckin’ sure it isn’t,” Ace continues to glare at me. “There were a lot of fires last night.”

“Did you blow it up?” Cade’s eyebrow is raised with a mocking smirk.

“Have you checked this place for gas leaks? They’reverydangerous,” I deadpan back. Not quite a confession, but close enough.

Jake smirks at him with smug pride all over his expression.

Mikael rubs a hand over his face to hide.

“Darlin’, let us take this on,” Ace insists with a change of tone. He sounds more worried now than angry.

“Sure,” I mutter and refocus on my eggs.

Gabriel lets out a tense sigh. “Obviously, leaving you alone is a mistake.”

I’m too focused on my food to roll my eyes.

---