Page 97 of Explorer's Revenge
I’m surprised my reprieve lasted this long, but maybe Ajax has been running interference on our behalf.
“They will be left here?” I ask, my eyes dropping to the floor as my heart aches with the idea of spending even a minute away from them. We’ve been inseparable, and my life has begun to revolve around them.
Maybe that isn’t a good thing, since it will change when we go back. I should get used to this now before it’s too late and I’m in too deep.
My mood spirals, and I clench the armrests of the chair I’m on.
“I’m leaving a team behind, so they won’t be alone, and when they can fly, we’ll get them straight home. We don’t want to risk further injury. They also won’t need to report as quickly since we will have your account,” Ajax rationalizes. “But I’m on your side, so if you say no, I will find a way around it. I had to ask, especially since your dad has returned. I figured you would want to go back too.”
Usually I would, but they are here, and that makes me hesitate.
“Maeve?” Ajax prompts.
“If I want to stay?” I see the stress triple on his face and he sighs. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?” Ajax’s expression tells me I don’t. “Fine, I’ll leave with you. When?”
“You’re leaving?” My head jerks up, and I see Aiyaret in the doorway of Logan’s room, looking betrayed.
“Who’s leaving?” Way asks as he appears behind him and sees me. “Maeve? Maeve’s leaving? What do you mean?”
Sighing, I rub my face and stand, dragging ass as I trudge into their room to see the others, not wanting to discuss this in public.
“What’s going on?” Wilder asks, glancing between Ajax and me.
“The board is demanding one of you return to report what happened and do some interviews. Logan can’t fly, so I can’t askyou. I asked Maeve,” Ajax replies as he hesitates in the door, sensing he wouldn’t be welcome right now. It’s become public knowledge we are not to be separated, even for treatment.
Wilder’s eyes land on me, anger and hurt in his gaze as he silently pleads with me to deny Ajax. “You’re leaving with him?”
It’s almost an accusation, and the atmosphere in the room intensifies. I feel their eyes on me, and I’m filled with guilt, but my thoughts circle back to earlier.
Maybe having some time to myself to think about my future would be good.
“I have no choice. You all need rest, and Logan needs you here, so if I can take this off your plate, then I will,” I answer.
“Tell the board to go fuck themselves!” Wilder roars. “We just went through hell and barely survived. They can wait.”
“Wilder,” I caution, and he calms at my voice. “I can do this. It will be okay.”
“M,” Logan protests, but he says nothing else.
“Don’t go,” Aiyaret murmurs, and Way wraps his arm protectively around his shoulders. I hate it.
I smile softly, but it feels wobbly. How did they come to mean so much to me in such a short amount of time? They need me right now, and I can’t be here. “It isn’t forever, just for now,” I tell them, repeating Ajax’s earlier words, but it doesn’t make me feel better, and from their expressions, it clearly doesn’t pacify them either.
“We’ll come back too,” Wilder states.
“Logan can’t fly yet.” Ajax sighs. “I thought about that too. I’ll take care of her, and it won’t be long, just a few weeks apart. You guys can manage that. Hell, you never even used to want to be around each other.”
“It’s different now,” Wilder grumbles.
“He’s right. We’ve spent longer apart,” I reason. “I’ll go back and sort everything out so you guys can rest. We’ll see each other again when you’re home.”
Looking at their anguished expressions, I feel my heart sink. I don’t want to go either, but if I can take care of this for them, then I will. They don’t need any more stress than they already have.
Logan is quiet and withdrawn, and I worry. Walking over to his side, I take his hand and say, “Tell me you need me to stay and I will. Fuck the board, and fuck Ajax—no offense, Ajax. Tell me and I will.”
“How long until I can fly?” Logan asks, looking at my hand on his.
“A few weeks at most,” Ajax murmurs.
