See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(34)

“Well, you see, we had a problem in Chicago. Mike is missing. We think that the Corporation got to him. We aren’t really sure how they knew he worked for us, but there you have it. He is gone, we have found no trace of him. Hey, do you guys have any food left? I am famished," he said as he hopped up from the couch and clapped his hands together.

I choked back a sob that threatened to escape as tears started to slide down my cheeks. Mike was gone. He was like a second father to me and now he was gone because of me. It was like I was some sort of toxic element that destroyed everyone around me. Kennan was kneeling before me, wiping my tears away as he scowled at Ian. A look that was probably quite common between the two men.

“What? What did I do?" Ian asked dumfounded.

I tried to pull myself out of my grief and look up into Kennan’s eyes. I nodded once, trying to convey that I was okay. I was heartbroken, but it was not an unfamiliar feeling. If I were being honest, this was something I had been dreading since we left Chicago. In my heart, I knew that something would probably happen to Mike. I just hoped that he was in hiding and not taken by the Corporation. Or as I was starting to think of them, Evil Bastards Inc.

“Is there any other news Ian? Or is that all you had to pass along?" Kennan asked with a hint of censure in his voice.

“Nope, that was it. But the Council asked me to stay for a few days and help train little bit here," he said with amusement in his eyes. “She really is a tiny thing isn’t she?" He asked.

“She is right here, bonehead," I said, annoyed.

“You have to admit, you are quite a tiny little thing. Ferocious, but tiny," he said like I was some sort of purse dog.

“Ugggghhhh!" I growled, irritated. “I am not tiny. You people are just giants. I am a perfectly average height with normal people, I will have you know." I stomped my foot as I stood trying to look him in the eye. I stood on my tiptoes and only came eye to chin with him.

Well, that showed him.

“It is alright there, Little One. We all know how big and bad you are," he said with amusement in his eyes.

“Dude, I would not start with her. She has a temper that can shake a house down. That, and she figured out how to memory sift today. If you aren’t careful she will reveal all of your darkest secrets to the world," Kennan said with a snicker. I decided to play along and raised an eyebrow at Ian.

He put his hands up in placation. “Whoa, we are all friends here. Or we could be," he said with a wink in my direction.

I rolled my eyes, but wondered what his darkest secret might be. I wondered if he secretly had a collection of unicorn figurines. Ooooh, or maybe it was a Hello Kitty collection. I started snickering as the two men looked at me.

“Sorry, I am good. Just, maybe you could work on your bad news delivery, Ian? Because let me tell you, your current methods leave something to be desired," I said before moving back to the couch.

I slumped down as Ian sat in my bubble again, once more wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I looked to Kennan for some help, but he just shook his head at Ian and moved toward the kitchen to find his friend some food.

“So, what’s say you and me get acquainted?" Ian said while moving his eyebrows up and down.

“Um, I think I will pass," I said, rolling my eyes at him. I picked up my book to begin reading once more.

“What?" he asked sniffing under his arms. “I don’t smell bad. What’s the problem? I just want to be your friend," he added, with a put on flourish of sad puppy eyes.

“I have a friend, I think," I said, looking toward Kennan. He had a look of trepidation on his face, as though he were restraining himself from bashing his friend’s skull in.

Ian just sat there, cool as a cucumber trying to read over my shoulder.

“Do you mind? You are kind of a little close," I said, trying to scoot away only to be trapped under his arm just as quickly.

“Nope, not at all. I have read this one. Want to know how it ends?" he asked, smiling down at me.

It was hard to stay annoyed at someone that was just so insane. I thought Kennan was bad, but this guy was a total whacko.

“No, I don’t want to know how it ends. Not until I get there. I like to read the whole story, thank you very much," I said, turning my book away from his prying eyes.

“Dude, your food is done. Why don’t you come over here and give her a break. You kind of dropped a huge emotional bomb on her a few minutes ago. So, I don’t know, maybe give her some time before trying to lay down the charm?" Kennan asked, more brusquely than I thought necessary.

“Easy killer, me and the little one here were just becoming friends. Isn’t that right, Izzy?" Coming from anyone else I would have thought the statement creepy, but from Ian it just sounded honest.

“Yep, we are besties now! Maybe later I can paint your nails and you can braid my hair?" I asked sarcastically, only noticing too late that his fingernails were in fact already painted a bright blue.

His eyes lit up. I shook my head in response. “Sorry big guy, I don’t paint my nails," I said as I wiggled my naked nails in his face.

“You are as much fun as Kennan," he said, disappointed, as he moved over toward the kitchen and I returned to my book.

The rest of the evening passed with ease. The banter between Kennan and Ian was a welcome relief from the seriousness pressing against me. I watched as the two men exchanged stories about fellow Guardians, making sure to fill me in on any back story I was missing. The two men enveloped me in their world as if I belonged there and for once I felt like I had found my place. I listened to their laughter and drifted off into a calm sleep. Sometime later I felt myself lifted from the couch and moved into my room.