35. Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter thirty-five
Hummingbird
I alternated between being hyper-aware of my surroundings, spacing out, and watching the back of Peter’s head while he drove away from my home.
This was such a wildly different extraction than last time.
While the house had been damaged, it wasn’t actively under attack, no one was bleeding out, and there was also no helicopter.
There's also no Derek.
Tears filled my eyes as my thoughts went back to the terrifying days when he and I first landed in Colorado…
When I wasn’t sure if he was going to live or not.
We didn’t leave each other’s sides unless absolutely necessary.
Even once we settled into the safe house, it was weeks before we could be more than six feet away from each other.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the car slowed to a stop and Peter glanced over his shoulder. “We’re almost there. Only a few more minutes.”
Morbid curiosity won, and I propped myself up enough to peek out the window.
It was trees and blue sky with white fluffy clouds as far as the eyes could see.
Nothing looked familiar, but how could it?
I’d only ever seen the house and woods I’d been tucked away in, a few random pictures of town Derek had taken, and dated satellite images.
“Am I allowed to know where we’re going yet? ”
He let out a tense breath as he glanced in the rear-view mirror for a second, meeting my gaze in the reflection. “Where I live.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, somewhat irritated by the vague answer. “And it’s safe?”
Shield nodded. “Lynette signed off on it, didn’t she?”
“Fair enough.” She had mentioned trusting her children to stay there.
“I assume Lynette is going to be in contact after we get you settled in, anyway.”
“Yeah.”
A few minutes later, we turned again, this time much slower, and I couldn’t help but sit up just enough to see out the windshield. In front of me was a stunning, modern-looking house. I couldn’t take my eyes off the modern steel, timber, and glass main entrance.
Far too soon the view was cut off as Peter pulled into the garage, turned off the engine, and closed the overhead door. Once it was dark, he leaned back in the driver’s seat and let out a sigh. “Okay. We’re good.”
As I sat up and looked around, he took out his phone and did something on it before shifting to face me again. “We can head downstairs now. My other coworker is upstairs. You won’t be seen.”
My heart sank for a moment. “So, from one basement to another?”
Peter gave me an apologetic smile. “Yeah. Easier to defend, as you already know.”
“True.” I glanced at the door that I assumed led to the house. “Um… How are we getting into the basement?”
“Through that door.” Peter was pointing to the left of the house door, toward a row of storage cabinets.
“What door?”
He smirked. “You’re not the only one with secret and hidden entrances. I’ll show you.”
He hopped out of the truck and opened my door, holding his hand out for me to take. Grateful for something to steady myself, I accepted his help, surprised when I felt a rush of energy when our skin touched.
What in the world?
As soon as my feet were on the ground, Peter let go and headed to the back of the SUV, opened the door.
I grabbed my duffle bag, and he grabbed the boxes before leading me toward the secret entrance.
We quietly made our way down a flight of stairs that opened to a decent-sized living room and kitchen area.
There was a dark grey sectional couch that looked comfortable, but what caught my eye was the green crocheted blanket.
Did Lynette make it?
The basement was homey, but it looked very much like a man lived there. It amused me for some reason.
Shield walked toward three doors. “The bathroom is in the middle, and my room is the one on the left. Lynette told me to keep you there until she finalized some details. It’s private, and no one will mess with it.”
“Okay.”
After quickly using the bathroom, I slipped into his room and let out a shaky breath as I closed the door. I can do this. It’s going to be okay. To distract myself, I looked around the room, extremely curious about what I could learn about Shield.
It was very simply furnished with a bed, dresser, two bedside tables, and a cozy-looking chair in the corner.
The dark green color reminded me of a favorite chair I had to leave behind in a previous house.
I couldn’t help but walk over and touch it, sinking my fingers into the soft fabric. Damn, I miss that chair.
The door opened, and I instinctively turned and grabbed my gun. Shield's eyes were wide as he slowly held up his hands. “It’s just me. Can I come in?”
I laughed at the absurdity of it as I lowered my weapon. “It’s your room, Shield.”
“I also don’t want to push it if you need some time alone.”
Between the panic from the overnight attack, the lack of sleep, and actively warring with my fight reflex, I was already on edge.
His consistent concern about my well-being was comforting to the point of being overwhelming.
I didn’t know how to feel about it or how to process it.
Leaning against the wall, I wrapped my arms around myself and nodded. “It’s fine.”
After walking in and closing the door, he let out a sigh. “You’re welcome to sit on the chair or the bed if you want.”
I nodded, but didn’t move. “Shield, I know you said this is where you live, but where are we?”
“Let me ask Lynette if I can tell you yet.” He took out his phone and tapped on the screen a couple times before typing out a message.
A minute later, he nodded and looked up.
“The team is happy to hear you made it here safely. Edith is on her way. As for where you are, this is Lukas and Quinn’s house. ”
Lukas? There’s no way… “Lukas and Quinn who?”
“Agosti.” The word came out slowly, almost hesitantly, as he studied me.
Her cryptic words of ‘somewhere I would trust my children to stay’ suddenly made sense. This is literally his home. Does this mean he doesn’t hate me? Does he even know I'm here?
Shield suddenly pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Edith’s almost here. I’ll be right back.”
Already? That was fast. I stared at the door as it closed, straining to hear anything happening on the other side. As much as I wanted to open that door and greet Edith, my anxiety, vulnerability, and genuine lack of knowledge about the situation and location kept me firmly rooted where I was.
Seconds later, there was a knock at the door. “It’s Edith.”
I nearly wept hearing my bonus mom’s voice. “Come in.”
The door opened again, and when I saw Edith’s face, I ran to her, wrapping her in a tight hug.
“Hello, my dear.”
A sniffle came out as I hugged her a little tighter. “Hi.”
“Shield mentioned you locked up hearing the Agosti last name. I promise you are in the safest place possible. She and I love you too much to put you in harm's way. You know that.”
I nodded. “I do.”
A phone rang, breaking up our moment. Edith pulled her cell from her pocket and answered it. “Hello, Lynette…. Yes, I’m standing right in front of her… Of course.” She handed the phone to me. “Momma A would like to talk to you.”
I grabbed the phone and held it to my ear. “Why am I in Lukas’s house?” The question came out before I had a chance to stop it.
“Because it’s almost as tricked out as your former safe house. Because my youngest son is nothing like his older brother. Because once he knows you're there, he’s going to want to destroy everyone who hurt you.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “He hasn’t changed, then?”
“Only in good ways, my dear.”