Forsaken Duty (Red Team #9)(97)

“Roger that.” He kissed Remi, then left the room.

“We’ll talk more tomorrow. Right now, I need to get Addy tucked in.” Owen stood and lifted Addy. The boys followed them back to his room like little ducks. He loved it.

Owen set he on his bed. “Is there anything you need? Water?”

She nodded. “Please. I’m so thirsty.”

Troy ran into the bathroom and came out with a cup for her. Owen helped her sit up so she could drink. When he took the cup from her, she reached her hands out to her boys. “Look at you, both here together.” She shook her head. “There were times I feared never seeing this again.”

“I thought you were dead, Mom. I saw my da”—he looked at Owen—“Mr. Edwards hit you so hard, you flipped over and didn’t get up.”

Addy rubbed Augie’s hand. “That was the worst day of my life. But that and all those bad days are over now. Tomorrow, I want to hear all about your time with the watchers.”

“Mom needs some rest now,” Owen said. “Tomorrow’s a big day for catching up.” He kissed Addy’s forehead. “I’m going to get them settled, then I’ll come back in. I won’t be long.”

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you too. You have no idea.”

The boys each hugged Addy, then Owen led them from his room into theirs. “Augie, you’ll share this room with Troy, for now.” He looked at his son’s clothes, seeing the homespun wool top and pants, the leather moccasins, the lambs-wool vest. “I don’t have anything for you to wear. I can grab one of my tees for you—”

“I’m fine, sir. I don’t need anything else.”

Owen set his hand on his boy’s head. He looked like a mini-Owen—same pale eyes, same white-blond hair Owen had had at that age. He really was his boy. “This is a lot of change in a short time. I know we have some things to work through. I hope you’ll be patient with me. Having my son back is a big deal.” He smiled. “How about you boys go brush your teeth? Then I’ll tuck you in.”

Owen followed them to the bathroom. Troy was already in his pajamas and ready for bed, so he showed Augie where the toothbrushes were. Augie washed his hands and face, then did his teeth. They both had to use the bathroom after that. Troy came out first. He got into the bed he always used.

“Is Mom coming back to sleep with us?” Troy asked.

Owen sat on the bed and put his hand on Troy’s chest. “No, I think this will be your room with Augie. She’s going to stay in mine.”

Troy looked like he was about to tear up. What a hellish day the boy had had. Owen pulled him into his arms and hugged him. “It’s all over, boy. Your mom’s safe. Your brother’s here. Edwards is dead.” So were the boy’s grandparents. Everything was different now. Troy settled back on his pillow. “Get some rest,” Owen said. “We have a lot to do tomorrow. You have to show Augie all around.”

Troy nodded. “Okay.”

Owen went over and sat on Augie’s bed. His son had taken on the same feral edge that all the watchers had. He was observant, quiet, and ready to bolt. Owen gripped his shoulder. “I don’t know what normal is, Augie. I’ve never been a dad before. I’d like for us to figure it out.”

“Yes, sir.”

Owen got up and walked to the short hallway, switching off the light as he went. “Night, boys.”



“I’m glad you’re back, Augie.” Troy said. “I tried to do what you would do while you were gone. I took care of Mom.”

“That’s good, Troy.”

“Do you think Owen’ll be my dad, too?”

“Yeah, I do. Especially since I don’t plan on staying here.”

Troy pushed himself up to look over at Augie. “What do you mean? You just got back.”

“I’m not a boy…I’m a cub. I belong with the pride. We look out for each other.”

“We could look out for each other, too.”

“Go to sleep, Troy.”



Owen went into his room. Addy was sitting up. Every time he saw her, she had a little more color in her face. He smiled as he sat on the edge of his bed. He took her hand. It was still cool, so he tucked it under the covers.

“I told the boys you were sleeping in here with me from now on.”

She smiled. “Okay.” She stared into his eyes.

He was mesmerized by the slight shift in her eye color. He’d better warn Augie about that so he wouldn’t freak out.

“Is it true that Cecil is dead?” she asked.

Owen nodded. “Yeah. And Roberta, Santo, and Jason Parker—Val’s dad.”

“It really is over.”

“And it’s just beginning. We still have to figure out about these nanos. I don’t ever want someone to reprogram you like that.”

She nodded. “I have faith in you.”

That stole his breath.

“And our son’s back.” She smiled.

“He’s going to have some adjusting to do.”

“He’ll do just fine. He’s proud and strong and tough like his dad.”

Owen smiled. “Are you hungry?”

“No. Just tired.”