Page 62 of Chris

Chris kept an eye on Valeria out of the corner of his eye, and that’s how he witnessed the flash of sadness and worry that passed over her features before she hid it by looking away. That was it, then. Not Jorge’s story, or the fact Chris sat beside her in the backseat.

Had Jorge made Maria stay home?

Was this purposeful beyond what the man said?

Chris wouldn’t put it past him.

“Almost there,” Jorge said. “Another twenty minutes, or so. The men I sent ahead of us will already have the generators up and running. This will be a good weekend away for us all, even if you are here for the tunnels, Chris. We all need a break, no?”

“A break is good for the soul,” Chris replied.

His attention was still on Valeria though.

Reaching over, he placed his hand on her jean-covered thigh. She tensed from the sudden touch and then relax. He swept his thumb over the denim, her shiver reverberating through her body, and into his palm.

Something else he shouldn’t be doing.

Still, he wanted her to be aware.

It would be okay.

It would.

He would make sure.

Even if it killed him.