Page 26 of The Warrior
“My hands are fine.”
“Then why didn’t you knock?”
Finn grinned. “Because I like to surprise you.”
That made me look up and raise an eyebrow. “Let me give you a tip then. If you’re trying to sneak up on someone, don’t whistle.”
“I wasn’t aware that I was whistling.”
“That’s because you live in a fucking bubble lately.”
Resting his arms on the back of my large comfortable chair, Finn looked down on me sitting on the stool in front of it. “I remember you being happy when you first got married too.”
I kept my eyes down and fastened the boots, not appreciating his bringing up Laura.
“Look, Magni,” Finn said. “I know it’s hard for you with Laura being in the Motherlands and you being here, but you’re my best friend and I want you to be happy for me and Athena.”
Taking my time before I answered, I stood up and grabbed my leather jacket from the chair. “I am very happy for you – I already told you that.”
“Are you heading back to the border?” Finn asked, his eyes sliding over my uniform.
“Yeah, someone has to do it while you and my brother are playing house with your wives. I’m told they still need about three weeks to have the wall completely rebuilt.”
Finn nodded and looked down at my scratched-up knuckles. “Maybe you should take a break from all the fighting or at least wear your Proteco gloves to protect your hands.”
“Thank you for your concern,” I said without explaining to him that the physical pain of fighting was a welcome distraction from the emotional pain I was in.
“Hey, at least the Motlanders caught another of the Nmen this morning,” Finn said.
I gave a snort. “Since when do you call them Motlanders? We’ve always referred to them as Momsies.”
“Since I married one of them. Did you hear what I said about them catching another of the Nmen?”
“Yeah, I heard. But there’s still three left. I don’t understand why it’s taking so long to locate the men. They should stick out like piss on snow.”
“Maybe they would have caught them under normal circumstances, but with the earthquake so many things have changed and people are taking in strangers. That makes it easier for the men to hide as homeless.”
“You’re right. But it’s been ten days and I want Laura to come back home.”
“Did you talk to her?”
“Yeah, a few times. They teamed her up with a man who Laura tells me is their best. I sure hope she’s right and that he’ll keep her safe. By the way, Finn, Laura mentioned that you know him. His name is Hans.”
Finn took a step back. “Laura is with Hans?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck.”
“What?” I narrowed my eyes. “Please tell me he’s not a threat to her in any way.”
“No, no.” Finn waved his hand and shook his head. “Hans is pretty harmless. But Laura shouldn’t depend on him to save her, that’s for sure.”
My hands flew to my hair. “Why the fuck would they set her up with a man who can’t protect her?”
“Hans is an opportunistic ass-licker.”
“What do you mean?”
