Chapter 25 #2
The weight of it settled over the table like a heavy blanket. They’d won the battle, but the war was far from over.
After a moment, Liam spoke up. “What do you need from us?”
Nate’s expression softened slightly as he looked at his nephew.
“Right now? Nothing. You two did more than enough last night. The island base is being officially decommissioned as planned. Your skeleton crew will wrap up by the end of the week, and then it’ll be handed off to my team for use as a secure facility, as needed, until Morrow decides to do something else with it.
Right now, the place is too hot for full-time use.
The enemy knows about it, which is why your crew had to leave it behind.
Morrow will probably leave it empty for a good long while before considering using it again.
By the end of the week, your mission in closing it down will be complete, Liam. My team will take it from there.”
“So I’m going to be reassigned?” There was something carefully neutral in Liam’s voice that made Lina’s heart squeeze.
“That’s up to you,” Nate said, surprising them both. “I’ve already talked to Morrow and Sam. Given everything that’s happened—and especially given that you’ve found your mate, and she has obligations of her own—they’re willing to give you some options.”
Lina felt Liam’s hand tighten around hers under the table. “What kind of options?”
“We’ll talk about that later,” Nate said, glancing between them with a knowing look.
“This is a conversation you two need to have together first, without me hovering. But know that the Clan takes care of its own, and you’ve both proven yourselves invaluable.
Whatever you decide, we’ll make it work. ”
The knot of anxiety in Lina’s chest loosened slightly. She hadn’t realized how worried she’d been about what came next. She couldn’t face being forced apart by duty or circumstance. The fact that they’d have a say in their future felt like an unexpected gift.
“Thank you,” she said quietly, and meant it.
Nate nodded, then stood and collected his tablet.
“I’ll leave you two to it. The elders will be at the island by three o’clock if you want to sit in on the questioning, but otherwise, you’re off duty until further notice.
Take the time to rest, recover, and figure out your next steps.
” He paused at the doorway, looking back at them with something almost paternal in his expression.
“You did good, both of you. Real good. The Clan’s lucky to have you both. ”
After he left, the house fell into a comfortable silence. Lina sipped her coffee, processing everything they’d just learned. The Venifucus was still out there. She’d known that already. They were a huge organization, and they weren’t going to go quietly.
Abdul Kettering was still a threat. A big one. But for the moment, they’d won. They’d saved lives and stopped something terrible from happening. And they’d found each other in the process.
Liam turned to her, his gaze warm and steady. “You hungry? We could get out of here for a bit and grab some lunch.”
She smiled. “That sounds perfect, actually. Where did you have in mind?”
“There’s a place down by the water. The seafood’s fresh, and at this time of day, it’ll be quiet. We could talk.” His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand. “Figure out what comes next.”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “Let’s do that.”
They finished their coffee in companionable silence then gathered their things and headed out into the bright afternoon.
The air was crisp and clean, carrying the salt-tang of the nearby ocean.
As they walked to Liam’s SUV, Lina felt something shift inside her as a sense of possibility and new beginnings took root.
The immediate battle was over. But their story was just getting started.
*
The restaurant Liam chose was on a quiet stretch of waterfront.
It had a large bar and a long dockside where people could tie up their boats and have a meal, then sail off to their next destination.
The signs on the walls indicated the place had a hopping nightlight, but right now, during the day, it was relatively quiet. Perfect for their needs.
It had weathered gray shingles, and a deck that jutted out over the water, and the kind of worn-in charm that spoke of decades in business.
They scored a table on the deck, despite the chill in the air, and Lina was grateful for it.
The view of the water was soothing, all rolling waves and crying gulls, and the fresh air helped clear the last of the fog from her mind.
A server appeared almost immediately, a cheerful older woman who clearly knew Liam by sight. “Haven’t seen you in a while, hon.”
“I haven’t been around in a while, Margie. Good to see you again,” Liam said with an easy smile. “This is Lina, my fiancée. Lina, this is Margie. Her man, Ray, is the chef here, and makes the best clam chowder on Long Island.”
Margie beamed at Lina. “My, my. You have been busy. Congratulations.” She winked at Lina and grinned. “You’re a lucky girl. Or maybe he’s the lucky one.”
Lina laughed. “I like to think we’re both lucky.”
“Smart answer,” Margie said approvingly. She took their drink orders and promised to be back with menus.
Once she was gone, Liam leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath, his gaze drifting out over the water. The tension he’d been carrying since the debrief seemed to ease slightly, his shoulders relaxing.
“This place is great,” Lina said, watching him. “You come here a lot?”
“Used to, when I was stationed at the island full-time. It was a good place to decompress after a rough day.” He turned his attention back to her, a soft smile playing at his lips. “Feels right to bring you here now.”
She reached across the table and laced her fingers through his. “I’m glad you did.”
For a moment, they just sat there, hands joined, watching the water and breathing in the salt air. The weight of the night before, of the debrief, of everything still to come, all felt manageable here, with the sun on their faces and the promise of the future stretched out before them.
Margie returned with their drinks and menus, chattering about the daily specials. They ordered, and then they were alone again.
Liam took a long drink of his iced tea then set the glass down carefully. When he looked at her, there was something serious in his expression, but also hopeful. “So,” he said quietly. “We should probably talk about what happens next.”
Lina nodded, her heart picking up speed. This was it. This was the conversation they’d been dancing around since they’d admitted they were mates. The one that would determine the shape of their future.
“Yeah,” she agreed, squeezing his hand. “We probably should.”