Page 24 of Jump or Fall
She stopped. “What are you talking about?”
His gaze remained downcast. “Silva mentioned that Knight was in the meeting today.”
Mara touched her cheek. A sting flared beneath her fingers. She’d forgotten about the scratch. Dawson must’ve counted on her fixing it before anyone would see.
Her face flushed.
Desperate to change the subject, she asked, “Are we meeting with anyone new tonight?”
“Kimmie Alphito. She’s an enforcer who helps us keep tabs on her cohorts during missions.”
“How many of these ‘missions’ have you done?”
“Not many. Without a suit, it’s been risky. The modified gauntlets will help so I don’t have to worry about dropping my tablet.”
They reached the new safe house, a single-room space at the junction of intersecting tunnels. There was a door leading to what she assumed was a bathroom, two beds against the wall with a map between them,and a set of drawers along the opposite wall. The room had a musty smell to it.
Gordon rummaged through the drawers and pulled out a white box then handed her a can of medi-spray.
“We only have the knock-off stuff.”
Mara shrugged. “It’s all made by Ascleon.”
“Hmm. Not surprised.”
She glanced around. “Is there a mirror?”
He thought for a moment. “No.”
Hesitant, she held out the can. “Please? I don’t know how long it is and don’t want to spray too much. I hate the smell of it.”
Gordon pulled up one of the rickety chairs and sat across from her, his face tense.
“Close your eyes,” he said gently.
Without touching her, he sprayed the healing solution over her cheek. The solution burned as it mended the skin. At least the cut hadn’t been deep, so there wouldn’t be a mark. The glare from that woman earlier suddenly made sense.
She heard the can clink back into its case and opened her eyes to find Gordon’s locked on her again.
“Thank you,” she said awkwardly. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
He frowned. “Why should you be sorry?”
Maybe it was strange to apologize, especially considering he bore something much worse. She would never think he needed to apologize for having scars.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m not used to anyone seeing me this way besides him. My scars are easy to hide.”
“Sometimes the hidden ones are the deepest.”
Something stirred inside at those words. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt anything other than loathing or grudging tolerance for another person. Her only boyfriend had been so long ago, she couldn’t even recall what it felt like to miss someone.
But the idea of saying goodbye to Gordon tonight left a strange, aching pull in her chest.
She wanted to reach for his hand. It had felt so right before—as if for once, she wasn’t alone.
Before she could gather the courage, footsteps approached from outside the door.
That’s what this was.
