Jared appeared at the back door, holding it wide open. “Everything okay?”

Ryan laughed and shook his head. “It was.”

“Oh,” Jared said with an awkward look. He and I traded glances, and then he retreated into the house.

Claire giggled, and then punched Ryan in the thigh.

“Ow!”

“Wait up!” she said, following me to the front yard. She was at my side in less than a second, and hooked her elbow around mine. “I meant what I said you know.”

“Which part?”

Claire stopped, her face fell, and she lowered her chin so I could see directly into her eyes. “I don’t know how all this will play out. Knowing Jared, he has a plan B, C, and D, but if something goes wrong, we’ll just figure something else out. The only other option isn’t an option.” I shook my head, and Claire pulled me into her chest with a tight squeeze. “Piece of cake.”

Jared stood at the Escalade with keys in hand. “We should get going. We still have to stop by the warehouse.”

I nodded, and then waved to Claire. Ryan walked up behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. It was so natural to see them standing next to each other, I couldn’t remember what it was like when Ryan didn’t know the Ryel secret, and he and Claire didn’t spend every waking moment together.

“See you on the plane,” Ryan said with a contrived smile.

I paused. “I’d understand if you didn’t want to go.”

Ryan shook his head. “I’m a marine, Nigh. I live for this shit.”

Jared tugged on my hand. When we reached the Escalade, he sighed.

“You’re worried for them.”

“No,” he said, starting the engine. “I’m worried for us, and what we’ll have to put up with when they don’t have an impending war to keep them entertained.”

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Questioned

Jared drove across town, and then took the highway that would lead us to the warehouse. Once we exited the highway and hit a dirt road, I knew we were close. The night sky was clear, and every star in the universe seemed to be present to watch over us. No wind, not even the sound of crickets or cicadas played for us as we parked and walked down the gravel drive. Jared unlocked the large, rusted lock of the gate, and then I followed him to the side door. Jared pushed the button, and then waited.

Accustomed to waiting ten or twenty minutes, I settled in, but the door immediately clicked, and Jared pulled me inside.

“Now, that’s service,” I said, smiling.

Jared smiled back. “He’s expecting us.”

“Isn’t he always?”

The full moon let in the only light, casting large shadows across the vast cement floor. My sandals scraped against the dirt, and echoed throughout the building. Jared walked across the room, stopping in the middle.