35. Zombie
THIRTY-FIVE
ZOMBIE
The first few nights with a new puppy in the house was hectic. I had barely slept not only because the little lunatic couldn’t fall asleep without a “bedtime routine.” I was getting ready for the evening, looking forward to a night in, when I received a text from a familiar number.
UNKNOWN:
SOS come to warehouse 9PM tomorrow
Instantly I was on high alert. Sarah was alive. She hadn’t been killed in the blast and was asking for my help, yet again.
When she didn’t get a response from me, a new picture of Ryann crying as Cassie was bound to a chair in a simple kitchen.
UNKNOWN:
If you want what’s best for them you will come tonight, Dante.
I sent her a thumbs-up emoji, not allowing for her to misinterpret any emotions I was having.
I’d finally thought I was going to be able to tell my team about Cassie and Ryann and my involvement in the Ricci operation.
Yet fate had other plans. I only hoped that I could keep this charade up with Lennie being in my space.
Lennie and I were lying in bed with Georgy when she gave me a sad expression.
I put my finger under her chin and made her eyes meet mine. “What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours, kitten?”
Lennie gave me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I feel like I haven’t been honest with you. And I feel like as your girlfriend, I need to be.”
I liked it way too much that she was calling herself my girlfriend. I didn’t correct her. I shook my head as if I didn’t hear her correctly. “What do you mean?” I asked, now on high alert.
“I’ve been really struggling lately, and haven’t told you,” she said while brushing Georgy’s head.
“Struggling with what, angel?” I cupped her cheek and rubbed the pad of my thumb over her soft skin.
Lennie took a breath before meeting my eyes. “I’ve been really struggling with anxiety after the kidnapping. But I’ve noticed that when I am with you, I don’t carry as much anxiety or fears.”
I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “That is completely understandable. That was a very traumatic thing to go through. Do you want to talk about it?”
She shook her head no. “Not right now. But in time I will. I just wanted to let you know. I don’t want there to be secrets between us.”
And when she said that, I felt like the biggest asshole of them all.
I pressed a kiss to her lips. “No secrets, my love. Thank you for telling me.”