“And we’re going after him?” I stand, feeling a little lost, which is how I feel mostly when River and his team handle the details behind the scenes. But I try my best to pay attention, and to my surprise I ambeginning to understand more and with a sense of pride, I glance over at River with a warmth in me.
“Looks like it.” River looks at Sebastian.
“We need to discuss the details,” Sebastian says.
“Okay.” River leans back in the chair, bending one leg over the other. “Go on.”
Sebastian shoots me a brief glance before opening his laptop, maybe feeling a little unsure about showing me more detailed notes about their operation. But the feeling must pass, because he flips it around to River and me. The screen displays a beautiful Spanish colonial-style house with a vibrant white exterior and red roof. Him and River continue discussing their plans on how to get to Andrew, while my mind cycles through the fear of us not being able to get to him.
“Are you still going to see your dad?” River asks me, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah, we should go before we leave for Spain.”
“We? Looks like someone’s on a tight leash,” Sebastian says playfully.
“She’s not going anywhere without me.” River walks by and slugs him in the arm.
Remembering my sister is on her way back, I turn to Sebastian. “My sister is coming back. Would you mind letting her in?”
“Sure.”
River and I walk out of his office with Sebastian right behind us. Then River and I turn into his bedroom.
I need to tell Stevie about what’s going on. So I pull out my phone to send her a text.
Me: River is going with me to see dad.
Stevie: Who’s going to let me in?
Me: Sebastian.
Stevie: Okay.
Me: We’ll be back shortly.
Stevie: Is everything alright?
Me: Yeah, just want to see if he knows anything about the case he can share.
Stevie: You know he won’t tell you much.
I begin to text Stevie back, but my thoughts return to traveling to Spain and the possibility of not getting to Andrew. The weight of the last month and a half feels suppressive on my chest and I can’t imagine doing all of this for nothing.
Someone’s suddenly at my side and when I drag my eyes up, they land on the only person representing comfort and strength.
River bends, scooping me up. “Sebastian, would you mind leaving a bottle of red and two glasses outside my bedroom door?”
“What? I’m not your—”
“Thank you!” River cuts him off.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Giving you what you need.” His head tilts down toward mine, his eyes flare with passion.
“I was going to see my dad.”
“We can go in the morning,” he says. “Tonight, you need another distraction because I know you’re worried about what’s about to happen.”My stomach flutters, knowing exactly what type of distraction he has in mind. “We will get him, Lux. I promised you we would, and I’m not one to break promises.”
