Ch. 20

Several hours later, they were back on the bed, laid back with their legs hanging off the edge, slightly disheveled from the evening's festivities. There was a tension in the air that tortured them the moment the party ended.

Her voice softly permeated the air. "So I'm going to have to handle a few things."

"Yeah." His tone was restrained.

"And I have to leave...to do those things."

"Right." He paused and heard her sigh. "You know it doesn't have to be-"

"Permanent? I know."

"I talked to Parker and Hardison. They agreed you'd be an asset. Especially after you blended so well tonight."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good."

Sophie pressed a cold beer into his hands. "What?!" Eliot snapped at her.

She raised her eyebrows at him. "I thought it might help you calm down. She's been gone a couple hours and you've been brooding so hard, you almost caught the kitchen on fire." He just growled in response. "I know you two had a connection. I almost want to tell you to go get her just so you'll snap out of it. But you don't know where she is. I'm sorry, Eliot. People aren't always supposed to stay in our lives for-What is that look?"

"I know where she is."

Eliot pulled through the suburban neighborhood. The street was eerie, quiet, and familiar. He saw movement in his peripherals and went to slam on the brakes. Geez, not again. No, really, not again. It was a squirrel. He continued rolling slowly.

A form in black jeans and a teal-blue tank top cleared a fence with a duffel bag and swept her curls over her shoulder. He eased the truck to a stop. She made eye contact through the windshield and a satisfied smile curled her lips. She got into the truck. He pulled out of the neighborhood.

"You jumped the fence. You didn't go back to them?"

"There was no real reason. They recovered years ago. I went there to answer some questions of my own. Sasha did become a veterinarian. And got a dog."

"You got what you wanted."

"She's happy. And safe. And you're here. So yeah, I got what I wanted."

"New duffel bag?"

"Yeah, I dropped by the UM before here. Had a feeling I'd need one again. New job with Leverage International."

"You look good in blue."

"Thanks."

"You sure you won't miss your family?"

"Why would I miss them? I'll see them in a few minutes."