Page 107 of Dark Night of the Soul

“Yes.”

For a moment, she looked horrified. “Please tell me I didn’t drool on you.”

My mouth curved. “You didn’t.”

“That’s good. I’d hate to ruin the sexy morning-after vibe.” Then she laughed at herself.

Proof she was still her.

“Funny girl.”

She’d outgrown that word a long time ago.

She sat up, stretching. Muscle moved beneath soft skin. She’d been strong before. This was different. All of it earned. All of it mine to witness.

She caught me looking. I should have looked away but couldn’t.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

Nothing I wanted to say.

“Hm,” she said. “I need coffee and a shower.” Then scooted to the edge of the bed. “And some clothes, clearly.”

She was already moving on—claiming coffee and clean clothes like small victories. I let myself stay amused.

“Clothes are optional.”

“Ha.”

“It’s just a suggestion.”

“I can’t have you looking at me like that all day.” She picked up a discarded shirt. One of her oversized ones she’d left on the floor. Then tugged it on.

It covered little. That was on purpose.

“Like what?”

“You know how.” Then she leaned back across the bed and whispered against my cheek, “I’m a lady.”

I laughed. “You’ve never been a lady.”

I started to reach for her, but she managed to get away. “Yes, I have. Ballgown. That’s my claim to fame.”

And then she was gone.

As soon as she disappeared, I heard a faint buzzing. The burner phone still in the pocket of my pants.

Now that she was gone, there was no reason to stay in bed.

If the phone was buzzing, that meant Silas had information. I pulled it free and checked the screen.

Intel. Two hours.

Followed by GPS coordinates.

Silas never brought information unless it mattered. This time when it mattered, it would lead to the one thing she’d been hunting.