The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(49)

“Hey, you there. You can’t sleep there. Go to the nearest shelter,” Torran called out.

The figure lifted his head and Lindsey recognized Vaja’s slim face in the dim light cast by the street lamps.

“I live here, *,” Vaja answered sharply.

“No you don’t,” Lindsey snapped, darting around Torran to confront her ex as he came down the steps to meet her.

“Lindsey,” Vaja said in such a way that it made her want to slap him. He sounded like an adult tired of a child’s temper tantrum. “Can we just go inside? We need to talk.”

“No, we don’t.”

“Look, you need to leave,” Torran said to Vaja in a stern tone.

“I’m her boyfriend. Who the hell are you?”

Torran and Vaja glared at each other over her head.

“Vaja, you’re not my boyfriend and he’s just a friend,” Lindsey interjected.

“Are you f*cking him?” Vaja asked pointedly.

“If I am, it’s none of your business!” Lindsey gave Torran a sharp warning look, but he just appeared grim.

Pointing at Torran accusingly, Vaja said, “He’s that guy. The one always messaging you.”

“He’s my friend who does message me on occasion, and it’s none of your damn business anyway!”

“Lindsey, we need to talk!”

“No we don’t, Vaja. You need to leave!”

“Lindsey, I left the other women for you.” Vaja reached for her, but she stepped out of his grasp.

That elicited a scornful chuckle from Torran.

Lindsey tossed Torran another warning glare.

Vaja pointed to his bag tucked under the steps. “I’ve come home to you and only you. I want to be with you. I love you.”

The words were exactly what she had wanted to hear from Vaja two days before. Even though the delivery was heartfelt and Lindsey was surprised to see love burning in Vaja’s eyes, she realized she no longer wanted him to make declarations of fidelity. At one point, she’d believed she loved him, but she knew she’d been deceiving herself. Maybe a few days ago she would have let him stick around for companionship, hoping one day she might love him, but she didn’t have the luxury of time anymore.

“Lindsey, say something,” Vaja pleaded, giving Torran a dark look.

“Go to a shelter, Vaja. Get a flat assignment. Leave me alone,” she replied in a weary voice.

“It’s him. He came between us.”

Lindsey and Torran exchanged looks. He lifted his eyebrows slightly, but said nothing.

“No, he didn’t. Your lies did. Torran is my friend.”

“You’re f*cking him,” Vaja said with scorn.

“If I am, you can’t say a word about it.” Lindsey grabbed Vaja’s bag from under the stairs and shoved it into his arms.

“Yes, I can. Because our love is real, Lindsey. I realized it after you made me leave. I couldn’t bear the thought of not being with you.” Vaja brushed his fingers lightly over her cheek.

Lindsey shivered from the touch, the memories of all they had experienced swirling around in her mind and tangling with the darker thoughts of his deception. She detected Torran circling around behind her. It was natural for him to move into a position to provide backup. They were both soldiers after all.

Setting her hands on her hips, Lindsey stared into Vaja’s beautiful ice blue eyes and ignored his touch. At one point she’d melted at the very sight of him, but now she was just sad.

“I’m not in love with you, Vaja. I’m not in love with anyone.”

That elicited a mirthless chuckle from her ex. Looking at Torran, he said, “Sucks to be you, huh? How long will you last?”

“We’re friends,” Torran replied.

“Sure you are.” Vaja jumped off the stairs, swung his bag over his shoulder, and stared at Lindsey. “I’ll come by tomorrow so we can talk without him.”

“Don’t bother,” Lindsey called after him, but had the sinking feeling that Vaja wouldn’t listen.

“Asshole.” Vaja flipped off Torran, then trudged down the narrow passage to the street.

Unlocking the door, Lindsey slipped into the flat. Torran followed and palmed the door locks. He didn’t say anything. Instead, he leaned against the door, arms folded over his chest, and waited.

Lindsey unbuttoned her jacket and struggled to find words and speak coherently. At last, the only one that slipped free was, “Fuck!”

“Exes. They’re complicated.”

Torran said the words so deadpan it made her snicker. The sound of her laughter provoked a smile to break out on Torran’s lips. The sight made her stomach clench again. She hated that she knew what he did not.

“Should I go?” Torran asked, misreading her expression.

“No. Stay.” Lindsey set her coat on the back of her computer chair. In her mind’s eyes she saw his name again on the SWD roster.

“What’s happening?” Torran ventured to ask.

Lindsey slid her fingers through her long hair and stared at him in silence.

“You know something. Like how you knew about the Inferi Boon and the castellan leaving the city. The night you saved me, you knew so much more than I did. It’s happening again. I see it in your eyes.”