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“Come back? Are we leaving already? We just got here.”
Everly and I haven’t discussed the possibilities of him coming here, but the disappointment in his voice makes me believe it’ll happen.
“You remember your mom’s twin?” He nods. I run the words through my head first, trying to be sensitive to a ten-year-old’s ear, but no matter how I spin it, it’s bad. “She’s in danger so the FBI is guarding her. Since your mom looks a lot like your aunt, the FBI wants to be diligent in protecting you guys too.”
“Are you coming with us?” His big eyes, filled with concern, stare at me. I can’t even explain the emotions flowing through me. I’ve never felt this deep draw toward someone. It’s amazing and scary at the same time.
“Not this time, buddy. I’m staying here to help find the bad guy.”
His eyes flick to my gun. “Are you a cop like my dad? I mean…” He trails off, looking down, flicking a card against his fingers. As much as it hurts to hear, it’s not his fault.
I lift his chin to meet my eyes. “Hey. It’s okay. He’s still your dad.” I swallow the sting. He nods his head in my hand. “But no, I work in security. It’s a little like being a cop.”
“Do you know how to use a gun?”
“Kase is the best there is at shooting a gun, Reedster,” Cody answers, walking into the room.
Reed jumps up on the bed, excited. “My dad taught me how to shoot, he said I was a natural. I must get it from you.” I’m not sure if now's the best time to have a proud dad moment, but I am. “Will you take me shooting?”
“Heck yeah. I’d love to see those skills you have.” We high five each other and he hops off the bed.
“Kase, they’re ready to leave,” Cody says.
“All right big guy, do everything they say. We’ll have you back as fast as we can.” He jerks forward, wrapping his arms around my waist, digging his head into my chest. I take a deep breath, soaking in every millisecond of his touch. When I wrap my arms around him, I melt. Ten years without this. With the hatred I feel for Wayne right now, it’s a good thing he’s not here.
Chapter Forty
Ellie
I look up from my book at the sound of the door opening, expecting Agent Clyde to walk in. I’m hoping he’ll want to play a card game again because I’m bored out of my mind. This is the fourth book I’ve read in two days. My eyes widen, and I stand, shocked at who walks through the door. It’s surreal looking at yourself across the room.
“Hey, Aunt Ellie,” Reed says, bursting into the room like he belongs here. My mouth hangs open. Did he just call me aunt?
“Hi, Reed,” I say as he rushes past me out of the living room.
“Don’t get into anything,” Everly calls out. She turns her attention to me and I flash an uneasy smile, standing and closing my book.
“Hi,” she says, raising her hand in a quick wave. It’s weird to feel like I’m looking into a mirror, yet the reflection does things I’d never do. She tugs her earlobe before sweeping her hair behind it. When I tilt my head, hers doesn’t move, but my mind expects it.
“Hi,” I respond. We both jump when Agent Clyde walks in abruptly.
“I’ll be outside if you need anything. Make sure to stay in the house,” he says to Everly. I've already been debriefed of the rules. She nods, and he walks out leaving us alone again.
“Why are you guys here?”
They are a long way from home. I understand why the FBI is worried about her since she has my face. But why here? Why not in Texas?
“Um…” She swallows, her eyes jumping around the room.
Reed walks in and answers for her. “Kase told us we had to go into hiding because my mom looks like you.” He walks over to his mom, and she wraps her arms around his shoulders. I turn away to gather my thoughts, but it freezes on one particular picture. For them to be here, they were all together in Gilley Cove. Like a family.
“Reed, hun, can you give us a minute alone?” she whispers from behind me.
"Geez! Why do I always have to leave the room?" He stomps off.
Tears burn my eyes as I look down at my bare feet on the brown carpeted floor. This is what I wanted for Kase, but to have it thrown in my face is devastating. Thoughts of family pictures, Kase telling her his cheesy pick-up lines, them out in the ocean somewhere makes me nauseous. I swallow the bile rising in my throat. Any hope he would want me instead, crashes and burns.
From the corner of my eye, I see Reed walk into the bedroom. Taking my chances and running away sounds better than staying here.
