Reid's Deliverance (22 page)

Reid rubbed his finger over a groove in the table. Too much shit had happened. They couldn’t overcome it. The price of letting her stay to please him was too high. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

* * * *

Moonlight lit the front lawn and the path through the maze. Lauren and Celine sat down on the bench.

Lauren closed her eyes. Instead of the falling water, she replayed Reid snapping at everyone. “It scares me to think about what Kell must have done to him.”

“Then don’t. You’ll never fully understand. Tearing yourself up about it doesn’t help Reid.” Celine wrapped an arm around her. “Just be there for him.”

“I’m not sure how or what he needs. We didn’t really talk. It was just about the physical.” As compatible as they were in bed, sex wasn’t the solution. She’d hate for the intimacy they shared to become a crutch to avoid facing reality.

“In all fairness, purely physical relationships with women are what they’re used to. It’s the only thing they’ve been allowed to have.” Sincerity shone in Celine’s gaze. “If you want Reid to open up, he has to know he can rely on you. That you want to be with him through the long haul. That you’re willing to face the unexpected with him.”

Somehow, during their days at the cabin together they’d developed a bond. Something more real than she’d ever experienced with anyone. “I am and I would, but how? As nice as Dalir’s place is, you and I can’t stay here forever.”

Celine averted her gaze.

“What is it?”

“I’ve been struggling with when to tell you.” Celine dug into her front pocket. She slipped on an engagement ring.

“Oh, honey, congratulations!” She grasped Celine’s hand for a closer look at the sparkling solitaire. “This is great news. Why would you struggle to tell me this? Didn’t you think I’d be happy for you?”

“I knew you’d be happy, but I couldn’t find the right moment. You were so preoccupied over your dad and the cabin. Then the whole thing with Reid showing up kind of complicated things, and now this. So much is changing. Thane’s back on the team. Long time jumps and everything. The present also isn’t their home base anymore. This is, since here is the only place I won’t forget him.” She looked down and fiddled with the ring. “I’m staying.” Celine’s smile wobbled and her eyes grew bright. “It’s not an easy decision. I’ll miss you and Ari so much, but I can’t imagine not having Thane in my life.”

“So when I go back, you won’t be there, ever?”

“That’s not the plan. Once he and the team have taken care of Kell, we should be able to go back.”

A protest hovered on Lauren’s lips. Celine had a kind heart, but she wasn’t naïve. She wouldn’t have accepted Thane’s ring unless she’d thought it through.

“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.

“Damn it.” He brought her flush against him. Hip to hip. Belly to belly. Heart to heart. His beat steadily while hers split in two.

She leaned away. His lips were close.
One more kiss, that’s it.
An image flashed in of looking at him just like this. Wanting him just like this. A perfect moment that changed everything. Except then, desire instead of conflict had rested in his gaze.

He kissed her.

Soft, sweet. Longing and sadness hooked into her chest, swirled up her throat. Her heart would never forget. Holding back a sob, she broke away. “Get Dalir, okay?”

Reid gripped her hands, laid his forehead to hers, and closed his eyes. A shuttering breath vibrated into her. “This is for the best.” He walked inside.

Seconds later Celine ran out. She grasped Lauren’s arms. “No, you can work it out. You just need time.”

Lauren suppressed a laugh, afraid it would turn into hysteria. Time, the bitch that had screwed everything up. More of that? No, thank you. “I have to leave.”

“But he cares about you.” Celine sobbed. “He can’t send you away.”

“He’s not.” Lauren cupped Celine’s cheeks. She was such a loyal friend and ally who only wished good things for her. “I asked to go. It’s the right decision for me. It’s what I want. What I also want is for you to be happy with Thane. When all the shit with Kell is sorted out, you come back to us so we can throw you the best wedding ever. The way things work with these guys we might even get to do it a few times.” She tried to laugh but Celine’s tears prompted her own.

Celine hugged her. “Lauren, I’m so sorry. I feel like I pushed you toward him. If I would have known it would turn out like this, I would have stopped you from getting involved.”

“No. I wouldn’t have wanted you to. I’m not sorry I met him. Promise me you won’t hate him.”

Reid stared at Lauren. The sadness in his eyes was eclipsed by stubborn determination.

“I’ll try.” Celine gave her a tremulous smile and whispered. “But there’s no guarantee a hot cup of coffee or a glass of wine won’t land in his lap or on his head.”

Lauren forced herself to let go of Celine.

Colby, West, and Mace embraced Lauren in turn.

Thane gave her an extra-long hug. “I’ll take care of her…and him.”

“You better.” Tears mercifully turned Reid into a blur. As she blinked them back, she faced Dalir. “All right. How does this work? Do I click my heels and wake up in my bed?”

“Close.” Dalir gave her one of his barely there smiles with a hint of compassion.

He made her cry all over again. He loved Reid, too, like a brother. He’d watch over him. They all would. Reid didn’t need her.

Dalir reached out to her. “Take my hand.”

Reid held Lauren in his arms. Predawn shadows darkened the cabin’s living room to a watery gray. Deep in supernatural sleep, she didn’t stir as he laid her on the couch. This is the way it should have happened. He should have left her in peace. No explanations. No risking her life. Neither one of them trying to convince themselves or each other that the fantasy they’d indulged in could work.

He found a trash bag in the kitchen. As he searched all of the rooms, he tossed what belonged to him. Not much.

She had a few more boxes to look through in the loft. It wouldn’t take long for her to finish. He could move the boxes she’d plan to throw and give away outside near the front porch. That’s what he’d planned to do the day of Jenny’s accident.

The fall sketch lay on the pile.

Her best worst day.

A bitter chuckle he couldn’t stop shot out. If only he could claim one bad day. A screwed-up mission, losing his memory, being tortured by Kell, and the bastard getting away. That wasn’t the vilest part. He’d found the woman who mended his soul. Cared about him. Then, he broke her heart. His throat tightened. She wouldn’t remember, but he’d see her every time he hiked a mountain trail. Sat in front of a fire. When he saw Celine with Thane or closed his eyes to block out the image of their happiness. He’d never forget.

After he placed the boxes and bags outside, he went back to her.

She curled in a ball and shivered.

He covered her with the throw blanket. Kissed her. Breathed in her scent.

Lauren snuggled into the cushions, and her soft exhale dried his cheek.

Time’s up. Dalir had given him only an hour to set things right. Reid walked out into the rising sun. The watercolor sitting at the top of the box turned vibrant and alive with color. He picked it up and phased.

* * * *

Colby, Mace, and West filed into the living room at The Drift. They sat down on the chairs and couch. Thane and Reid stood with Dalir at the fireplace.

Reid’s gaze connected with Thane’s. They exchanged nods. This was the right thing to do. Dalir had been straight up with him and Thane about everything. They’d decided to stand with him in the fight. They functioned as a team, but every man was in charge of their own destiny. The mission had changed from stopping sick bastards from destroying the world, at least for a time. Now, they’d only focus on one sick bastard. Kell. Once they took him down, they could get back to handling business as usual.

Dalir rolled his shoulders. A brief swell of energy pulsed and rippled through the room. He met the gazes of their other three team members. They sat a little straighter in their seats. “Thane and Reid already know what I’m about to tell you…”

For the third time, Reid heard about Dalir’s lost dimension. The loss of the people Dalir cared about and Kell’s motive for revenge. He finished. Silence hovered in the room.

“I’m extending the same offer that I gave to Reid and Thane. A release from your oath. You joined me to save your world, not mine.”

“I think we all can relate to family issues.” Mace pursed his lips and blew out a breath. “Sounds like your brother has a head full of them.” He looked around the room “Everyone here is family. We protect our own. I’m in.”

Colby leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “What about people who’ve been close to us?” He tipped his chin toward Reid. “Like Lauren. Is Kell going to go after them to get to us?”

“Not if he’s smart.” Dalir’s gaze cooled to an arctic freeze. “I weakened him. Working with the human mind takes effort and skill he won’t waste. His objective right now is to grow stronger, not weaker. In the case of Lauren, if goes near her, I’ll know and then it’s over for him.” His eyes flicked to Reid. “Her mind is also not a safe place for him. He knows. Again, it’s not worth the risk for him.”

A vision of Lauren emerged in Reid’s thoughts. If she knew her mind was literally a trap, she’d have something to say about it. Actually, she might like it when it came to exterminating Kell. If she only knew how special she was in every way. A pang of regret lodged in his chest. He swept it away along with the vision of her.