59. Lazarus
Lazarus
I’m three hours in on my to-do list when he says my name.
“Lazarus, can we talk in my office?” Revenant isn’t growling, which I take as a decent sign that I’m not getting mauled.
“Yes.” I put the wrench down from the sink I was fixing and wipe my hands off on a rag.
I’ve avoided him for three days. My disappointing him, in losing Iona, has gone unspoken. It seems the time for avoidance has passed.
I push the worst-case scenarios out of my mind. I let it go that whatever Revenant has decided to do about this has already been made up in his mind.
It’s a short distance from the garage to his office here inside the compound. It’s still practically empty feeling, clear of all papers and mess that is normally here, was here, before the raids, which only adds to the foreboding overcoming my stomach.
“Have a seat,” Revenant huffs as he walks past the desk to his own chair.
After closing the door behind me, I make my way to the chairs as indicated. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to sit in his office. The positioning is abnormal. I dislike it.
“I don’t blame you for losing Iona.” Revenant’s words don’t sound believable the first time. Which is good because he repeats, “It’s not your fault they took her and got away.”
“I should have —”
“No.” He cuts me off, and I fall silent. “You were shot. You almost died. Fuck, you were holding onto the side of a helicopter until they bashed you into a tree. You did everything you could. It’s not your fault.”
I hardly believe what he’s saying and how he feels. I remember him and Iona together. I remember how close they were. For a while, I believed no one wanted her back as much as Revenant did. Now, I know that’s not true. But he’s most certainly second.
“But that’s not what I called you in here for. I just figured it needed to be said.” Revenant stands from his desk and goes over to the filing cabinet. He opens a drawer and pulls out a cut.
Are we patching in a prospect? I furrow my brow, confused.
“I was going to make a big show of it and have a club get-together, but Evangeline convinced me that you’re not the kind of people who want those things.” Revenant walks back and hands me the cut.
It’s smaller, and my confusion grows. We don’t have any beta prospects right now. I open the cut and find Honey stitched into it. When I flip it to the back, the words are clear. Property of Bellamy.
I wasn’t even sure Revenant knew my last name. But clearly it was uncovered somehow.
My fingers trace over the letters. I did this. I claimed a pack. I never thought I would, but I want it all the same.
“Thank you.” I nod, locking eyes with him across the desk. “Unexpected, and I will work on forgiving myself for losing Iona. But thank you all the same.”
“We’ll find her. It’s just a matter of time.
I don’t know if you’ve heard all the details of what has gone on while you were indisposed, but we’re scouring flight plans, airports, and any other means of transportation anywhere that helicopter could land.
Every chapter is out looking for her. We’re the closest we’ve ever been.
” Revenant nods. He is so assured in the fact.
“I am so grateful for your efforts. We know she’s out there because of you.
We’re closer because of everything you did to help.
” After a second, he walks toward the door.
“That’s enough sappy shit. Sounds like one of those movies Evangeline likes in here. Work to do.”
I quickly stand and follow him from the room. The sink will have to wait while I deliver this to Honey. As much as I never thought I wanted this, now I can’t wait to see her publicly claimed as mine, ours. A pack.