Forced Bonds (The Bonds That Tie, #4)(29)

“Why are you looking at me like you’ve killed my mom?”

I snort at him and shrug, rubbing both of my eyes so I still don’t have to look his way. “I still have nothing. I got Giovanna and Riley back here, but there was nothing else there, no signs of anything other than that bitch being a traitor. I feel fucking useless and guilty over the whole thing.”

Sawyer scoffs and I listen to the sound of his fingers flying over the keys as though it’s a freaking lullaby. “I wasn’t expecting you to find a giant billboard with an explanation out there in the woods, Oli. Were you?”

I kick my feet out a little wider. “I mean… it would’ve been nice. I need her out of there. I need something to explain this shit. Have you been to see her yet?”

“North won’t let me. I was pissed at first, but Gray pointed out that I’m of more use to her up here at my computer, and she’s with her Bonds. I made him go down there though, and he said she was a mess. Absolutely fucking devastated that she might’ve killed someone, even though she knows she didn’t actually do it… like, mentally. Physically, she for sure did. I know she did because I’ve tracked her every movement and there’s no manipulation on the video. I’ve been so freaking thorough with it all.”

I nod and finally look at him.

He looks like shit.

The same as I feel, really.

There’s dark circles under his eyes and the pile of empty energy drinks around his desk tells a pretty clear story of how hard he’s working to get his sister cleared of this shit. There’s a fine dusting of fair stubble on his cheeks too, which seems far too ‘grown up’ for the sarcastic, cheeky asshole that I know. When he catches me looking, he snaps, “I’m aware I need a shower, Fallows. Thanks for pointing it out.”

I scoff and throw a dismissive hand in his direction. “I was imagining you with a beard, if this keeps up for much longer, and I just can’t cope with that. I need to find something and get you the fuck out of here.”

My bond warms in my chest right as there’s a knock at the door. Sawyer presses a button under the table to let Gabe in. My Bond looks as though he’s come straight from one of the building sites, his work clothes still covered in a fine layer of dust, and a good, clean sweat still shining on his skin.

It makes my bond perk right the hell up.

“Gross, stop giving him those eyes in front of me. I don’t have time for all of the pent-up sexual frustration you two give off.”

I roll my eyes at Sawyer’s sass. “Usually, you’re signing up for front row tickets.”

He points at the door and snaps back, “Not when I’m trying to work. Go be young and horny and in love somewhere else.”

Gabe scoffs at him even as he holds out a hand for me to take, helping me out of my seat and tugging me into his side securely. “Good to see you too, Benson. Found anything yet?”

I shake my head for the both of us, my mouth tightening up as my throat closes over. Gabe frowns down at me, leaning down to give me a quick peck on the lips. His skin is warm and inviting, the empty space in my chest that belongs to him aches, and I lean more fully into his strength.

He smiles down at me, his eyes soft as he traces over my face. I hope I’m not covered in dirt or something from the trip. “Let’s leave Sawyer to his creeper ways, Bond. I have something I want to show you.”

We leave together to the sound of Sawyer calling out, “Spoiler alert! It’s his dick!”

I roll my eyes and Gabe flips him off behind our backs as we get out of there, the fresh air a relief even as the midday sun is warm against my cheeks. I take a second to actually look around a bit and find that the town center has been cleaned up a lot in the last day or so while we were out on the recovery mission.

There’s still a lot of damage, dozens of destroyed roads and buildings can’t be fixed overnight, but the rubble and debris has been cleared away and patches have been put in over what could be shored up. We don’t have enough finished houses to just move people out of buildings if there’s a few broken windows, but the fix up is well underway.

There are groups of men and women everywhere with building supplies and good attitudes as they get to work on it all, and the sense of community has my chest tightening up.

This is what we’re really fighting for.

We’re fighting for these people, even if they’re wary of my bond. I mean, that just says they’re smart enough to know when there’s a predator living among them. I’d never put someone down for that.

“Here, we’re taking the ATV over,” Gabe says, pulling me over to the vehicle he’d driven over here for us both. The last time I was in one was with Atlas, the two of us heading out to the perfect night in a cave by ourselves and then the harried trip back the next morning while everything turned to shit, but it still brings a blush to my cheeks.

“Where are we going? Should I get changed first?” I say as he helps me in, my legs still a little sore from the hiking, not that I’ll ever admit it.

“You’ll see, Bond. Just let me surprise you, for once.”

I huff at the smug tone he’s throwing at me and cross my arms over my chest, a joking sort of tantrum that he sees through immediately. He grabs one of my hands and tugs at it to link our fingers together, resting them on his thigh.