Standing in a robe that hung way too long on him was the littlest Winter. His Cupid’s bow lips opened into a surprised ‘oh’ when he saw Kylie.
Kylie’s face lit up with wonder as she gasped and fell to her knees. Her hands moved to cover her mouth and tears sprang to her green eyes.
“I know you!” Danny’s surprised expression blossomed into a wide grin.
Kylie, overwhelmed with emotion, could only nod and smile at the boy with blond curls.
“You were with me when I was sick,” Danny continued. “I remember you.”
He looked past the girl to see his mother. “Mommy, where did you find the doctor who helped me feel better when I was little?”
34 Fork in the Road
The family sat in a loose circle around flickering candles as Kylie shared her story. Danny had plopped himself in her cross-legged lap, showing complete trust in her as he dozed off. His acceptance had brought her to quiet tears as she relived her life at the Facility and the orders she followed. Her voice took on a raspy, emotional quality when she got to the part about escaping Rais, driving to the Winter’s house to try to make her last act honorable, defending Evan against the attack she caused. When she finished, the room was quiet. Margo broke the silence.
“Sadly, your story is familiar to us, Kylie. Creed, Farrow and Sloan can relate firsthand to what you’ve been through.” Margo acknowledged each of them in turn, smiling sympathetically at the haunted shadows hovering across their faces. Kylie’s story had awakened memories in each that they had worked hard to lock away.
“It’s true, Kylie,” Farrow offered. “Both Creed and I were ordered to terminate the Winter family.”
Sloan nodded and added, “I was a doctor at the Facility’s research hospital, too. I know what it’s like to be given a direct order to do something that made me want to vomit. I only found the courage to leave because of Creed.”
“And I only found the courage to leave because of Meg,” Creed muttered to himself. Then he looked up from the spot on the floor where he’d been staring and scanned the faces watching him. “Escaping Williams and becoming a part of the Winter Clan was the best decision I ever made.” He lifted his chin slightly.
The others echoed his sentiment.
“I believe in this family. This is where I belong.” Farrow squeezed Alik’s hand.
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Sloan agreed fervently.
Margo smiled widely at the three young adults. “You gave up everything you knew to step out on faith when you chose to live and fight beside us. Theo and I are thankful for each of you.”
Turning back to Kylie, she asked the question that hung obvious in the air. “Well, Kylie? What are your plans?”
Kylie glanced nervously at Evan before shrugging. “What are my options?”
“I see two options for you,” Theo began. “You have burned your bridge back to Williams, so basically you can either go it alone—I mean, we would gladly take you back to the States and you could start fresh there—or you could join us.”
Kylie opened her mouth to respond, but Theo put his hand out to stop her.
“Choose carefully, kiddo. Think it through. Both paths have pros and cons. As difficult as it may be to establish yourself—find a job, a place to live, food, clothing, transportation—choosing to stay with us puts you smack-dab in the middle of our deadly fight. Our enemies would become yours if you align yourself with us. So maybe you should mull it over for a while before you decide.” Theo shrugged. “In the end, the choice is yours.”
Kylie closed her mouth and nodded solemnly.
Margo moved to stretch and grinned at her legs as they responded easily. “It’s gonna take me awhile to get used to being able to do this again.” She finished the last part of her sentence in a yawn.
Theo smiled affectionately at her. “Why don’t we try to get a couple hours of sleep? We’re going to need it tomorrow.”
Everybody looked up at the shuddering sound made by unrelenting gales as they shook the villa to the core.
“Stay near the interior walls of the house. The sandstorm isn’t ready to let go yet,” Creed scowled at the windward walls, planning to reposition some sturdy pieces of furniture against them before settling himself near the parents.
The room cleared as everybody waved goodnight and found refuge in the kitchen and hallways.
Theo had settled Margo in the corridor on the sofa cushions and had returned to the living room for a throw when he saw Creed dragging a dresser from one of the bedrooms.
“You need sleep too, Creed.” Theo frowned at the young man.
“Yes, sir. I just wanted to reinforce this wall.”
“You know we’re going to get her back, right?”
Knowing exactly who he was talking about, Creed’s chest rose and fell as he took a calming breath.
“I know that’s the plan, sir.”