Page 45 of Digit's Deflection
Treven sticks around only long enough for Maverick to be taken from the plane and loaded into a waiting hearse. Face grim, both our bags in hand, he leads me toward a nearby building where the chaplain and his assistant are waiting for us.
If I thought the trip to Treven’s base was made in silence, that had nothing on this one. Tension radiates from him, so thick it could be cut with the proverbial knife. And the closer we get to his sister’s house, the worse it gets.
But it’s when we turn onto a specific road that the man’s muscles go rock solid beneath my hand.
“Stop here, please,” he murmurs quietly to the chaplain’s assistant. The man pulls the vehicle to the side of the road, and Treven gets out. Standing on the sidewalk, he leans into the car and offers me his hand. “I’ll walk the short distance to the house. I’d rather my sister didn’t see an unfamiliar vehicle in her drive.”
“Yes, sir,” our driver responds.
Treven’s grip on my hand is almost painfully tight, but I know he’s unaware of it. He would never willingly cause me pain. It’s simply not in his nature. It wasn’t when I knew him as a boy, and I’ve no evidence to suggest it’s his nature as the man he’s grown into.
My heart squeezes in sympathy when I notice his hand shaking as he lifts it to ring the front doorbell. We listen to it chime throughout the house and wait for someone to respond. After a long couple of minutes of waiting, the door finally opens, and I get my first look at the grown-up Sheri.
And she’s even more beautiful than when we were young. She smiles at her brother before frowning at me. You can see her mind working to see if she can place the face. Then, just like thesun breaking through the clouds, her frown disappears, and an incredulous look takes its place.
“Liora? Liora-Jane Adams, is that you?”
“Yes, ma’am. It sure is.”
“Oh my God, I can’t believe it. What are you doing here? And with Trev, no less.” That thought gives her pause and she turns back to her brother. “Whyareyou here?”
Treven’s fingers flex around mine, as if he’s readying himself for battle. “Aren’t you going to invite us in?” he asks, a poor attempt at a smile barely curving his lips.
Sheri’s frown returns, but she steps back. “Yes, of course. Where are my manners? Please, come on in.”
We step into the foyer, and Treven wraps his arms around his sister, holding on tight for a moment. When he lets go, I step forward and give her a hug too. She returns my embrace warmly.
“Come sit. What can I get you guys to drink?”
“I’m good, thanks, sis. But I need to talk to you for a second. The kids home?”
This time, Sheri’s frown is sharp, concerned. “No, it’s a weekday, Trev. They’re at school. Is something wrong? You seem a little – I don’t know – off today, I guess.”
“Um, you might want to sit for this one, Sher.”
“Treven Grayson Nicols, just spit it out. You’re scaring me. Is something wrong with you? Is it …” Knowledge dulls her eyes, killing the spark in them. “No. No, it isn’t … is it?” The words come out on a whisper so soft we have to strain to hear her.
“Sheri, I …” Treven lowers his head, clears his throat. “Sis, I don’t know how to say this—” His voice cracks, and his words falter to a stop.
Horror, heartbreak, devastation, and a million other emotions crowd Sheri’s eyes.
“Nooooo …” Treven steps toward her, and she holds out a hand to ward him off. “Treven, you take that back, right thissecond.” When Treven says no more, she sinks onto a sofa, as if her legs will no longer hold her up.
“Please, Treven. Please tell me it isn’t John. Please?” Her eyes plead with him to reassure her that all is still well in her world, and her husband will be returning to her anytime soon.
“Sheri, I’m sorry. Mav?—”
“Don’t call him that,” she screams at Treven, jumping to her feet. “That isnothis name. His name is John. I don’t know why you guys insist on calling each other by these stupid names. His name isJohn.”
“John,” he repeats, holding his hands up. “Sorry, Sheri. John.” In this moment, I understand why he was so adamant he wanted to be the one to tell Sheri about John. He knew it would be far more brutal coming from a stranger.
Clearing his throat again, he tries once more. “John saw that the man we were sent to rescue was in danger, and he stepped in to protect him. He took the bullet that was intended to for the hostage.
“He asked me to give you a message.” Looking like a deer trapped in the headlight of a train barreling down on her, Sheri simply stares at Treven. “He asked me to tell you that he loves you infinitely, and that he’s sorry he couldn’t make it home to you. I don’t know if it’s something you want to hear, but it might bring you comfort to know he didn’t suffer.”
Without another sound, Sher sinks to her knees, continuing to stare, but it’s clear she’s not seeing us or the room. Whatever she’s staring at is inside her mind.
“Sheri?” Treven calls her name, going down on his knees in front of her. “Sis?”
