“I don’t care. I’m staying.”
Taking both coffee cups, Hyland fits plastic lids to the steaming receptacles. I try to reach for mine, but he clasps my wrist in a loose hold, urging me to look up at him.
“You know what Doctor Fawn said. Pushing yourself to your limit will only trigger your seizures more. Are you having symptoms?”
“No.”
“You’re a good liar, but I can see through your shit. It’s my job.”
“Unfair,” I complain. “Don’t use your secret agent crap on me.”
“Secret agent crap?” He barks out a laugh.
“You know what I mean.”
“What other tactic would you prefer I use?”
Thoughts of being caught between him and Axel while they played my body like their favourite line of music flash through my mind. The grin on Hyland’s face tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking about.
“Well?” he urges.
Snatching the coffee back, I ignore his taunt and head for the pharmaceuticals. Hyland grunts under his breath when I locate a box of painkillers, adding them to my stash with some snacks.
“You need to rest,” he insists.
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“We can handle the incoming evidence from the docks. Until we get some new leads, you need to get your strength back. It’s been an intense couple of weeks.”
“This isn’t the time to take our foot off the gas.” I cut him a stony glare. “We just struck a decisive blow. Now we needto put the pressure on and find Gael while his operations are wounded.”
“You’re in no state to be finding anyone.”
“Do I need to remind you who saved our asses in that dockyard?”
“No.” Hyland shakes his head. “The bodies in our morgue do that well enough.”
“Then get off my case. I don’t need to rest.”
“Look at yourself, Em. You’re black and blue, barely able to walk. Stuffing yourself with painkillers and shit coffee instead of getting a few hours’ sleep. This isn’t sustainable.”
“Living our lives in fear isn’t sustainable!”
Heading for the cashier, I’m sidestepped before I can pay. Hyland draws out his wallet then tosses two crumpled notes down. I’m on the verge of yelling when both of our phones chirp simultaneously.
I pull mine out, glancing over the message. Axel’s in HQ this morning, meeting with the directors and the Falcon Team. He’s sent a group text to all three of us—wait, four. Blaine’s number is included.
Well, this is new.
“What is it?” Hyland grabs my elbow to steer me into a quiet corner.
“Axel’s made a new group chat. With Blaine.”
“You’re fucking kidding me.”
“Nope. He’s sent an update in it.”
Flipping the screen, I let him read the text.
