“Will it happen the same way that it does with them? We’ll forget you existed?”
“No. You’ll just think I’ve moved away and we’ve lost touch.” Celine’s expression brightened. “Thane said there’s a good chance the team will relocate to where we were in the future. That’s what I meant by the long haul. You and Reid could still be together if you’re willing to take a gamble on your relationship. Just look at me and Thane. Our connection was so strong, time couldn’t keep us apart. It could be the same for you and Reid. He’ll win you back.”
A part of her recognized Reid from her past. She accepted that now. It was the only explanation that fit for why she’d let him in so quickly. If she agreed, she’d face the strangest deployment in history. He’d leave on the next mission. She’d forget, but this time, she’d know he was coming for her. Her heart would wait for him.
Hope sparked in Celine’s gaze. “Does that look mean what I think it does?”
Lauren couldn’t stop a blossoming smile. “Yes.”
Celine hugged her. “Reid will be happy. I just know it. Can I tell Thane? No. I should let Reid tell him. When the time comes for him to win you back, I’ll make sure Thane gives him pointers, and I’ll definitely give you a nudge in the right direction.”
“How do you think Ari will handle it?
“Are you kidding? She’s like a walking crystal ball. She might tell you to jump on him before I do.”
“Lauren! Damn it, Lauren, where are you.”
Reid’s shouts made her heart lurch. His burst through the bushes rattled leaves and made buds fall to the ground.
She ran to him. “What’s wrong?”
He gripped her by the shoulders. “Why didn’t you tell me where you were going? You can’t wander off without saying anything.”
“I’m not wandering. I’m sitting here having a conversation with Celine.”
“I don’t care who you’re with. I asked and no one knew where you were. You should have told me.” Anger sharpened his features. “Do you know how dangerous it is? This isn’t a game.”
“I know it’s not.”
“Do you? Do you even have a clue about what’s going on?” His grip tightened. “This isn’t some luxury vacation where we’re hanging out with our friends and strolling around in the moonlight. You have to pay attention. I won’t always be around to pull you out of shit you shouldn’t be in the middle of. That’s how Kell—”
Thane materialized and grabbed his arm. “Stop! You know as well as I do she’s safe. Do you think I’d let Celine be here if she wasn’t? Get it together.”
“No. It needs to be said.” Lauren placed her hands on Reid’s chest. He was one solid mass of tension. “That’s how Kell was able to kidnap me. I wasn’t paying attention, and the price for that was you being tortured to save me.” It hurt to breathe. “I’ll never forgive myself for the pain I caused. I owe you my life.”
Reid let her go as if touching her burned him. “That’s what you think?”
“Am I wrong?”
Reid raked his hair and turned.
Celine moved to step in. “No, you’re—”
Thane caught Celine by the waist and whispered to her. She followed him through the bushes.
Reid released a deep breath. “I don’t blame you for any of it. No one knew Kell was on the loose. Now that we do, it’s my duty to be with the team and find him.” He turned, his gaze devoid of emotion. “You don’t need to be here. I talked to Dalir about it. He’ll protect you from Kell. Go back. Live your life. Find someone who doesn’t tick all the boxes on your list.”
The list? She didn’t give a damn about the list. She wanted him, but she’d heard what he meant loud and clear. Hero. Angel. That’s what Jenny and her mother had called him. And what had he said? For a lot of people, the job is a calling, that it made them complete. Made him complete. He didn’t need her. She was in the way. Her chest grew so heavy it almost hurt to breathe. Just like she’d been with her father. “You’re right. I should go. Can Dalir do it now?”
“Lauren, you don’t—”
“It’s best.” The final thought she wanted in her mind, remembered or not, is that she’d made the choice. Not that she’d broken and fallen to her knees.
On the way back to Dalir’s house, the silence of The Drift seemed magnified, filled with loss, beauty, and sadness. The moonlight highlighted the magnificence of the mountains. Lights shown through the wall of windows in the house. Everyone was inside. Beacons lighting the way home, just not for her.
Reid cleared his throat. “How much time will you need to say goodbye to Celine?”
“Not long.” Be brave. That’s what he needed to see. Not her breaking apart. “I don’t believe in long, messy goodbyes.” She forced a smile but her mouth trembled.