Revolution (Collide, #4)(46)

He followed me as we made our long trek down that highway. I felt kind of bad that he had to drive all the way out there just to see me home, but he said that he was just patrol anyway. That's all they did was drive around looking for anything suspicious and answer calls.

So I led the way back to our warehouse in the rain and hoped that I happen to pass Cain on the way. But I didn't pass Cain on the way and the rain had finally stopped. When I saw the top of the warehouse in the distance I literally squealed to myself in the Jeep. As soon as I pulled in, with the mud flying, I saw them loading the van. They all turned to look at who it was and when I saw Merrick, I slammed on the brakes. I yanked open my door and took off.

He dropped the bag he'd been holding and blurred to me, picking me up and holding me against him. I dropped a kiss to his mouth and he kissed me back with the passion of seven suns. One minute I was standing in the parking lot, the next we were in a sauna in Cuba!

Oh, God, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you….

That continued in my mind and I fought my tears before pulling back a bit. He laid his forehead to mine in true Merrick fashion and breathed his happy sigh against my face.

I heard from behind me, "I'm assuming this is the husband."

I turned to introduce Chesser, but everyone was surrounding him with their guns and stakes."He's not a Lighter! Don’t stake him!" I pulled Miguel's arm.

"Worse in my book, love! He's an Enforcer!" He glanced to Billings. "Sorry, mate."

"No offense taken," Billings said easily.

"He's helping me," I insisted. "He made sure I got home safely."

"Or he's just leading the rest of them right to us," Miguel proclaimed with a twitch of his hand on his stake.

"I can tell if he's lying, remember?"

That made him pause. "Yeah. I forgot." He looked at me. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

He lowered the stake, but didn't holster it. That was as good as I was getting with Miguel. The rest of them lowered their weapons, too. Chesser turned slowly to Billings, who was at his back. "Enforcer Billings?"

"Yeah," he answered, "what's it to you?"

"You went through my mentor class. You don't remember?"

Billings squinted at him. "Eh."

Chesser waved in dismissal. "Whatever." He turned to me. "I got you home and now I've got to get back."

"You could stay, but I know you won't," I offered.

"There's too much good I could be doing out there. But thanks. We'll cross paths again. You know where I am if you need me."

I crossed to him in the mud and hugged him. "Thank you. For everything."

"No problem," he whispered and set me back. "I have a good feeling about this."

"About what?"

"About us running into each other. I think…I think the war's about to take a turn."

I thought of Lily and Ellie and their new gifts. "I think you're right."

He waved and started toward his car. Danny and Miguel both yelled, "You're letting him go?"

"He's an Enforcer! We could use him if nothing else," Miguel argued.

"I'll explain everything later, I promise, but he needs to be out there. He's doing good for us."

Miguel sighed and twirled the stake in his hand. Then he pouted. "So we don't get to stake anyone?"

I laughed. "Why are you so blood thirsty!" I hugged him around his middle. "Thanks for coming to get me though. Even if it was just the parking lot."

"Anytime," he said and squeezed me. "All right, let's get back into this box of bricks before you make me wail like a woman." He stood straighter. "Wait, where's Cain?"

I felt my throat tighten. "There was an incident." Merrick's hand tightened around mine. "I'll tell you about it when we get inside. He's alive…I think. Someone…they took him. The rebels took him."

Everyone was silent for a moment before Danny asked, "So what did that Enforcer guy do to help you?" I noticed him for the first time and felt ashamed. I hugged him to me.

"He just told me all the good things they're doing on the roads and at the facilities. There are a few of them that know the truth and try to help the rebels."

"Ah," Miguel drawled, "so he's a real figjam." He scoffed as he took the first ladder rung and started climbing. "I know his type!" He yelled down. "Good riddance!"

I shook my head and watched as the rest of them made their way up the ladder. Jeff winked at me. I mouthed a 'Thank you' to him. I felt bad that they always got dragged into my drama.

I felt Merrick's arm go around me from behind, his face on my shoulder. I rubbed his cheek with my thumb and turned my face to him as much as I could. "I'm sorry I worried you."

"Nah, you didn't. We were just getting some fresh air," he joked.

I turned full on then and tried to smile up at him. "Such a bad liar. I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't your fault."

"They took him," I heard my voice scratch. "They took him and all I could do was stand there."

He held my face firmly. "Cain can take care of himself. Let's go talk and see what happened, then we'll see if we need to go after his sorry behind."