Page 20 of Charge

Lowering my phone, I turned to look outside, not really seeing anything. I guessed this was something else I’d have to thank Gunner for. The list kept growing. Not only had he saved me from the hell I’d been in when I’d gotten captured in Guyana, but he’d also saved me from myself.

I didn’t know where I’d be right now if he hadn’t forced me to snap out of the self-hatred and anger I’d come back with after Locked Security found me. And when he offered me a job, everyone thought he was crazy. But he’d seen something in me that not even I could see back then.

Turned out he’d been right, because I loved my job and would do anything for my boss.

Despite vowing to stay away from Thea as much as I could, I caught myself looking for her. And the disappointment at not seeing her told me all I needed to know about my feelings. Feelings I did my best to ignore.

6

THEA

The doorbell ringingripped me out of my brooding thoughts. I’d been hiding out in my room all morning like a coward. William had come in a few times, bringing bribes in the form of my favorite cake and milkshake with him.

After the fourth visit he finally gave up.

I almost canceled on Sofie. But every time I reached for my phone to call Everleigh, I thought of how disappointed Sofie would be and stopped myself. She was eight, the happiest child I’d ever met—not that I’d met that many—who for some reason loved to spend time with me.

And since it didn’t look like I’d ever have kids of my own, I doted on her every chance I had.

She was family, after all.

I straightened my oversized sweatshirt and smoothed my hands down my yoga pants before leaving my room.

William had already opened the door, and was shaking hands with Lucius. He’d never spent much time with Everleigh and only met Lucius a handful of times.

I skipped down the stairs. “Sofie,” I squealed, and she threw herself into my arms with a giggle.

“Auntie Thea, can we watch a movie? And go for a swim?” she asked, looking back at Everleigh and Lucius for permission.

Everleigh smiled at her. “Maybe ask Thea first if she has time. She might not have as much time as all your plans require.”

After standing up, I put an arm around Sofie’s shoulders, grinning down at her. “You can stay as long as you want, munchkin. We can hang out at the pool and drink fruity drinks all day.”

Throwing her arms up, she nearly clocked me in the head, cheering. “It’s going to be the best day ever.”

Chuckling, I looked up, meeting Archer’s assessing gaze. I hadn’t heard him approach. And neither had Everleigh. She was leaning into Lucius, laughing at Sofie’s antics, oblivious to her brother standing only a few feet away.

Sofie was now running around us in circles, whooping loudly.

Everleigh untangled herself from Lucius to embrace me in a tight hug. “Call me if you need us to pick her up earlier.”

“No way. We’re going to have too much fun to call anyone.”

More cheering, followed by a startled squeak. “Who are you?” Sofie asked, causing Ever to look in her direction and finally notice Archer standing there.

She gasped, putting a hand to her mouth before rushing over to him. The impact of her throwing herself into his arms caused him to stumble back a step.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were still in Chicago. Why didn’t you answer your phone? I’ve been calling all week.” She turned to me while still holding on to her brother. “Why didn’t you tell me that Archer is here?”

I gave her a sheepish grin. “He only got here last night.”

Patting her back, he blinked down at his sister. “I’m doing security for the Barlowes.”

Pulling back, she put her hands on her hips. “Well, yes, that’s obvious. Why else would you be here? Doesn’t explain why you can’t even spare a few minutes to talk to your only sister, though. Or let her know you’re in town.”

His face was as impassive as ever when he shrugged. “I don’t get a lot of free time.”

“I’m not asking for hours. I’d be happy with five minutes. But you won’t even pick up.”

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