Forged(33)

We climb aboard and are greeting by a curvy woman who distributes more thick blankets than seems natural for a fishing vessel to have on hand.

“Dry as best you can,” she says, “and then we’ll go in and warm you properly.”

Bree pulls a blanket snug over her shoulders. “Thanks, May. We owe you.”

The woman beams and it makes her already plump cheeks get even plumper.

“And I don’t get any thanks?” a guy behind her says. He’s opposite of May in every way: tall and gangly, with skin that is leathering despite the youthful glimmer in his eyes.

May elbows him. “Carl, this isn’t the time for sarcasm.”

I look between the team and the two strangers they all seem to know. “I’m confused.”

“Inside,” May says, waving toward the wheelhouse. “Once everyone’s warm and in dry clothes, we’ll talk.”

The team shuffles off, Clipper clinging to Harvey like a lost child, and my gaze drifts to Emma. There is so much I need to say, but I can’t get my feet to move and that’s probably for the best. She won’t believe me. How could she after what happened at the Compound?

She glances my way, and her eyes feel like ice.

Tell her you’re sorry about picking Blaine.

But I’m not. The situation was horrible. But I’m not sorry I tried to save my brother.

Then tell her you forgive her for Craw. Tell her you’ve been over it awhile now.

But I don’t want to mislead her. My heart is elsewhere—tied up in another person—and I can’t change that. Wouldn’t want to even if I could.

At least tell her you still care about her. That you always will.

But she won’t believe it. Not after what happened with Blaine and my Forgery and . . .

She’s still staring at me.

Sammy is regarding her apprehensively, like she’s a ghost that terrifies him, but he can’t bring himself to look away.

It’s such a mess, life. The way everything gets all jumbled and tangled and knotted. Why can’t it be easy? Bree would say something like, Because easy would be boring, and she’s probably right, but in this moment I’d love boring. I’d love straightforward and clear and tied up in a pretty bow. I’d love no surprises and happy endings and everyone getting what they wished. Right now, boring sounds pretty damn perfect.

Sammy pulls his gaze from Emma long enough to look my way, and I give him an encouraging nod. I don’t know why he’s seeking out permission. He doesn’t need it.

“Hi,” Sammy says to Emma. “I was a little preoccupied for introductions earlier—escaping and explosions and all—but I’m Sammy.”

He offers his hand.

“Emma.” She shakes it. “And thanks for before, with the cell.”

“’Twas a small detour, and absolutely worthwhile if you ask me.”

He flashes her a smile. She gives him a sympathetic one in return. Just like that, so easily, Sammy sets them on course.

I hope it continues to be easy for them. I hope it’s easy and boring and downright effortless. They both deserve a break.





SIXTEEN


IT WENT LIKE THIS: THE team found the water crate Blaine and I dropped in Pine Ridge, and after following the trail, knew we’d been compromised. Back at the bookshop they theorized about how. Bree mentioned her evening with Gage at the pub—how he was fishing for details regarding the mission—and Badger put the rest together.

The team was ready when he arrived later that evening. Gage got just one shot off—which clipped Badger in the shoulder—before he was rendered weaponless. With some persuasion, he gave up the truth: Blaine and I had been taken to the Compound for questioning.

“Badger and Adam decided it was too much of a risk to come after you,” Bree explains. Our team is in dry clothes now, crammed in the wheelhouse with May and Carl, who is steering us back to Pine Ridge. “They said our plan was solid enough to get us inside to poke around, to look and observe, but not to break anyone out. I told them it was a piss-poor excuse, that we had everything we needed to get to you guys and not doing so was cowardly.”

“Charlie’s sister,” Sammy says, pointing at May, “arrived with the Order-disguised boat only to find the mission canceled. Course, Bree wouldn’t give it up. Kept ranting about how it wasn’t right, and we couldn’t leave you. Hell, I thought the same.” Sammy pats his chest like I might have doubted him. “I mean, we’re practically blood at this point.”

Clipper nods in agreement.

I feel this swelling in my chest. I know exactly what they mean. I know all too well, but if I try to put that in words, I’ll choke up.

“So how did you change their minds?” Harvey asks.

“We didn’t. Adam and Badger never approved of this.” Bree gestures at the boat. “I organized it behind their backs. The inspection team was due to arrive late Friday evening, so I decided we should do what we were always planning—infiltrate. The key was to get to the Compound a few hours early.”

“And we couldn’t have done it without Carl and May,” Sammy adds. “Their standin Order boat got us entry, and their trawler was waiting to pick us up once we fled.”

“I’m grateful and all, but I’m still confused.” I look toward Carl and May. “Adam didn’t think this could be done, and he at least knew me and Blaine. Why would you two risk all this for strangers?”