Page 47 of Nothing to Fear

Ken rushed into the room behind her.

She grabbed the black backpack and rifled through it to find money. Exasperation tore through her fraying patience. She dumped the entire bag out onto the bed, plucked three one hundred-dollar bills from a bundle of American cash, and slung the strap of her purse across her body.

“Will you help me, or do I need to find a payphone to call a cab?”

Payphones were disappearing relics. They hadn’t passed a single one on the way to the doughnut shop. If he didn’t help, she’d have to order an Uber through his computer under false pretenses, a digital trail she’d prefer not to leave.

Narrowing his dark eyes, Ken placed a fist on a hip and scratched his smooth chin. Deliberation was better than a flat no. “Passports are almost done, and Gideon will be back soon. Hang on an hour. Your dad will still be there.”

“What if Gideon won’t let me go?” He’d turn his bulldozer force of will on her, and she wouldn’t stand a chance. “I have to see my father and find out if he’s going to be okay.”

She had to leave before Gideon returned. Her dad wasn’t just her parent. He was her best friend, the only person who’d never lied to her, hurt her, or used her for anything. She wouldn’t abandon him when he needed her the most.

“Please, help me. Or I’ll find a cab by myself. But I’m leaving.” She balled the money in her fist and straightened.

“This shit just goes to show, never underestimate the dynamite hidden inside a pretty little package.” Ken sighed. “If I help, you know Gideon’s going to kill me, right?”

20

Springfield, Virginia

Friday, July 5, 2:27 p.m. EDT

With supplies stashed in the back of the stolen car, Gideon parked in the alley on the side of the building, out of view of any video surveillance. He strode through the doughnut shop, nodded at Mariko, and bounded up the stairs to Ken’s apartment.

At the top of the landing, his buddy stood in the doorway, features grim. “You’re earning your guardian angel wings today. Talk about cutting things close.” Ken’s hushed voice was strained. “Your girl is about to bolt.”

“What?” Gideon’s protective instincts fired hot. “Why would she want to leave?”

He should’ve spoken to her before taking off, made sure she was okay after the way he’d left her in the bathroom, but his self-control had been threadbare. One minute longer behind closed doors with her, he would’ve come loose at the seams.

“Something happened to her dad. He’s in a coma at Saint Margaret’s. And her house burned down. Half of it is in ashes. It’s on every news station.”

Dread slushed through Gideon, but he hardened against it. This was crazier than Willow being accused of treason. For it to happen within hours of them getting out of the Gray Box wasn’t coincidence.

“Where is she?” Gideon headed for the threshold.

“Kitchen.” Ken held up a palm, stopping him. “She probably thinks you’re Mariko bringing a set of car keys. I told my sister to stall while I tried to calm your girl down, but she keeps spiraling. Tight, man.” He twirled his index fingers in a circle. “Corkscrew tight. I was about to let her go before she explodes.”

Gideon pushed past Ken, rushing into the apartment. His gaze fixed on Willow, and a crushing weight lifted from his lungs. She sat in a chair with the strap of her purse draped across her body, elbows on the table, wringing her hands.

She caught sight of him. Her eyes slammed shut, shoulders rolling inward as she held her head in her hands. Gideon stilled, his relief curdling. She reacted as though seeing him was the last thing she wanted.

“You called him?” she asked Ken in a hushed voice that was nonetheless sharp with panic. “You swore it was your sister on the phone. You said Mariko was bringing the keys. You promised you’d help me.”

Ken crept into his eye line, brows raised. He lifted both forefingers, repeating the spinning up motion as he mouthed corkscrew tight.

Taking a breath, Gideon kept a grip on his composure. “He didn’t call me.” His tone sounded rough, so he dialed it down. “He had every intention of keeping his word.”

Her head snapped up, her gaze flying to him. The look in her eyes was unguarded and unglued. The raw suffering in her face was a fist to the gut. His first instinct was to go to her, but he didn’t move. Didn’t dare presume she’d accept comfort from him. Didn’t dare imagine he was equipped to make things better.

He knew his own limitations well. This trick bag of emotional flash grenades was beyond his expertise.

“You expect me to believe you happen to show up just as I was leaving?” Her tone was scathing. “You really do take me for the biggest, most gullible fool.”

Jeez, that pain-wrecked face of hers. He’d never been so helpless, but this sudden, hair-trigger rift between them left him confused.

“Yes, I expect you to believe me.” He took a cautious step forward. “Because it’s the truth. Ken told me about your father—”