Page 54 of Following Their Heart

When we’re done, I’m sweating and sad. I hate Raptor for doing this. It was so unnecessary.

When we’re finally able to go inside, I’m beyond exhausted. With everything that’s happened, I forgot how late it is.

Like normal after midnight, the generator is off. The kitchen is lit only by a spill of harsh LED light from battery powered lanterns in the common room. As Grim and I move toward the light, we can hear the others talking. They sound tense, which is totally understandable, considering we were just under attack.

At least Raptor’s helicopters are gone now. The danger has passed. I hope.

Well, at least the danger from the enemy has passed. Jud is plenty dangerous, and when he sees me, he’s going to flip his lid.

Grim shoulders his way in front of me as we near the doorway into the common room. “We are here,” he announces, his Ukrainian accent thick.

He stops in the doorway and lets me peek around him. The corners of the room are all darkened, but lantern light shows five men dressed in full tactical gear.

Rev and Shep have their heads bent in conversation over a cafeteria table laden with weapons. Brawn is looking out the front window through night-vision goggles. Doc and Scrap are inspecting a rifle near the smaller window.

Every head whips in our direction.

“Oh, shit,” Doc says.

“I didn’t do it,” Scrap says, holding up his hands.

Rev straightens to his full height. His eyes are wilder than I’ve ever seen them.

“The fuck are you doin’?” His growl fills the room and ricochets off the walls. “No one gave the all-clear. You two are supposed to be under ground.” He strides to us and gets dangerously close to Grim. Like the others, he’s dressed in padded gear that makes him look bulkier than I know him to be.

He pokes Grim in the chest, and my heart skips a beat. Until I realize he has gloves on. He’s safe. Still. He’s too close for comfort.

I try to push my way around Grim to ease the tension between the men, but my guardian is a brick wall. “It’s not his fault,” I say.

“Get her back in the shelter,” Rev shouts. “Now!” He keeps poking in the center of Grim’s chest.

“Don’t yell at him!” I reach around Grim and swat at Rev’s poking hand. “I’m not going back!”

“I take full responsibility for denying orders.” Grim talks over me. “I’ll take my punishment.”

“I’m not going back!” I shout again, but the men argue over me.

“Punishment?” Rev spits. “What is this? Boot camp? Jesus. Get her the fuck underground! She’s not safe!”

“I will only bring her back if she wants to go,” Grim says.

Rev yanks off his helmet. His face is red and sweaty. He’s hot from the gear, but he’s also really, really P.O.’ed.

“You’ll bring her back because I said so, and with Jud gone, I’m in charge!”

“Stop it!” I yell as loud as I can. “Both of you! This is—wait. Did you say Jud isgone?”

Both men are breathing heavy when they turn to me. I see the fight drain out of them. Rev wipes a hand down his face, and Grim scans the common room.

“Where is Jud?” Grim asks.

“Shit.” Rev breathes the curse. He meets my eyes, and I read something in his gaze that chills me to the bone.

“Where is he?” I ask, fearing something I’m too scared to put into words. I don’t even want to think it. “He’s not…. He can’t be….” I couldn’t live without him. He’s part of my heart. He can’t be dead.Please don’t let him be dead.

“I think we better hold a meeting,” Rev says.

He didn’t deny it. Oh, God. Jud is…

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