Page 51 of Steinbeck
Steinbeck rounded on Phoenix, but she put up her hands.“Sorry.He’s still a terrorist to me.”
“And you’re still a thief to him.So the fact he’s trusting you?—”
She flinched at that, andshoot,he hadn’t meant to hurt her.“Sorry?—”
“No.You’re right.I am a thief.It’s time you remembered that.”
She pushed past him.
Great.Whatever.He followed her out to the hallway, where she stood near the entrance to the stands, the music carrying into the night.
He stood by her, arms akimbo, watching, listening as Oaken sang, standing at the mic, his band behind him, the people in the stands cheering, singing along.
“You’re the missin’ piece, the melody to my song.
With you, I’ve found where I truly belong.”
Stein glanced at Emberly, and she was listening, bobbing her head to the music.And he nearly turned to her, the last twenty-four hours stirring inside him, but she shook her head and walked away, back down the hallway, pulling out her phone.
“Underneath the stars, hand in hand, side by side,
In your embrace, I’m living a blessed, forgiven life.”
He listened a moment longer, sighed, then joined her.
She’d walked all the way outside, to a small bridge that overlooked the crowds, the night starting to fall, drops of twilight on the horizon.She held the phone to her ear, pacing.
“Yes, we found him.And yes, he’s going to help.Axiom is back in the vault in Montelena.”
Probably a call to her boss.
“Right.Yes, I agree, we need him—oh.”
She glanced at Steinbeck, her mouth tight.
What?She turned away.
“Yes, of course.I’ll be there.”
He stilled.Oh no she wasn’t.
“No, I think—listen.He knows me.It’s enough?—”
Another long pause.Then, “I can handle it!”She drew in a breath.And now walked away from him.
Sorry, honey.Not happening.He caught up.
“Just...Fine.Yes.I’ll be there.”She hung up.Turned and nearly slammed right into him.“What?”
“You’re not going anywhere without me.”
She stared up at him.“Apparently not.Apparently you’re my new teammate.”
“I’ve been your teammate for a while now.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.Sighed.Closed her eyes, and he might have imagined it, but some of the fight seemed to release from her.“I know.That’s the problem, isn’t it?”
Her words clung, seeped in, tangled inside him.“I don’t?—”
