Page 105 of Ash Storm

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Reka

"It’s been a long time,” Reka said, taking small steps. It was hard to pace in the cramped van.

“It’s okay, Reka,” Rogue said calmly. “Let them work.”

His brown hair was swept back from his face and tied loosely at the back of his neck. He sat on a swiveling chair, looking intently at the screens in front of him.

“How did you guys get this van?”

“Thorne has good contacts here in the UK,” Rogue said.

“Where does he come from?”

“Geographically? Somewhere in the Southeast, I’d say. If you mean professionally, I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“He hasn’t shared that with us. Our working relationship is … complicated.”

In his left hand, Rogue fingered a cigarette. Reka could see how badly he wanted to light it. There was something edgy about him at the best of times, but now more than ever.

“If you need to smoke, please go ahead.”

He shook his head quickly. “I can wait until we’re—“

Suddenly, two men appeared on the screen, walking at a fast clip. Rogue sat up and clicked on some keys.

It took her an instant to realize she was staring at the camera outside the van.

“What’s going—“

Something shiny and cylindrical appeared in one man’s hand.

“Oh, fuck!” Rogue dived onto her, and instant before their world blew up.