Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(69)

"If she finds the enemy, he knows she can kill him, too," I sighed. "He's hiding from her-you can bet on it."

"We spoiled his plans in the Middle East-or Corinne did. I have satellite images of dead creatures being unloaded from the plane Askins sent. Except for the one that landed in Askins' office, they sent the worst of the lot."

"I'm sure they wanted to tie those things to us-or to me directly, and that would have brought on a war with every country in the region." The thought had just hit me-likely Corinne had seen it long before I had. She'd neutralized the problem before it became a problem.

"She was protecting you just as much as she was protecting the country," Matt blew out a breath. "I guess we ought to find a way not to fight with her. In the meantime, I think I can put some of my agents around the entrance to that tunnel, to watch for the next load of rockets going out of there. Once we have those images, we can call the Russians to account."

"Good. Let's hope we can take care of that part and keep Corinne out of it."

"I'll keep you posted," Matt nodded and walked out of my office.

*

Corinne

I was still fuming when I picked up James and Leo the following day. Not just at Auggie, but at Ilya, too, who'd used the Rafe persona to castigate me in front of everybody.

"Hello, Corinne," Auggie said the moment I arrived in his office. I didn't speak to him. Instead, I hauled James and Leo out of there quickly, without asking if they were ready.

Yeah, I was pissed and rude at the same time.

"Want to talk about this?" Leo asked the moment we landed in the huge beach house.

"Honey, I'm so mad right now, I don't want to talk to anybody," I said, patting his shoulder instead of apologizing. "I'll get over it," I said. "Make yourselves at home." I disappeared again, defying anyone to send mindspeech to determine where I'd gone.

*

I hadn't been to a bookstore in more than a year. Settling at a café table inside the Corpus Christi chain store, I sipped a latte and looked around at the shelves of books. My books used to be on those shelves. Some of them still might be-the mass-market versions, anyway.

Gone were the days of hard-cover releases and book signings. Nowadays, I released my work mostly in e-book format, with quality paper sales a faint afterthought. I hadn't written anything in weeks, too, because of the mess and intrigue surrounding a former U.S. President and his flunkies.

I'd lost myself, somewhere amid the list of crises that threatened all of us. After receiving the drug a second time, there'd been no period of adjustment for me, like there'd been the first time.

I'd been forced to hit the ground running, while those around me continued to question every move and decision I made.

Yes, I realized every relationship had its bumps and potholes, including relationships with friends. Auggie and I had our share of those. When he thought I was useless, he'd tolerated me. Chastised me at times, when his non-military charge chose to do things differently.

Brushing tears away, I lifted my latte and transported myself to the beach house.

*

Ilya

She reappeared, took a seat at one of the round, wood tables on the deck and drank coffee from a bookstore coffee shop. There was a flowerbed at the front of the house. I went there first before approaching Corinne.

*

Corinne

A pink hibiscus bloom was set carefully in front of me as I wiped more tears away. My coffee cup was dry-I'd finished my drink. Ilya took the chair across from mine, settling on the wooden seat, which creaked slightly beneath his weight.

Dark eyes searched my face-I figured I looked horrible after crying for half an hour.

"I love you," he said. "I beg you to never forget that, even when I am being an ass."

"I know," I quavered, covering my mouth with a hand to hide the trembling of my lower lip. Fresh tears fell, so I turned my head away.

"Here, now." He rose and came to me; I watched as he knelt beside my chair and wiped more tears from my cheeks with his thumb. "It hurts my heart to see my cabbage cry."

That's when my arms went around his neck and I sobbed.

*

Ilya

Dr. Shaw followed me as I carried Corinne toward the stairs. She still wept against my shoulder.

"No drugs," I said. Shaw silently nodded his understanding.

*

Corinne

"Hush, my heart," Ilya murmured against my hair as I was placed on the bed. "There is no need for this."

"Corinne, Colonel Hunter regrets his words," Leo Shaw sat on the chair beside the bed. "I know they upset you anyway."

He was right-words can never be taken back, and harsh words are remembered the longest.

"Here," Ilya sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me up so I could lean into him. His arms wound around me, holding me tight against him. "You're shaking, my love," he whispered. "Are you cold?"

"No," I shook my head.

"Panic attack," Leo murmured.

He was right-I hadn't been able to stop this one. The hurt and the panic had bubbled up and I hadn't been able to force them down.

"Breathe with me," Ilya coaxed. "Long breaths. In-and out."

"Let me know if you need anything," Leo said softly and left our bedroom.