I nod and try not to cringe as Nox barges his way into the security office to harass Sawyer because of me. “And if it hadn’t worked?”
Gryphon scowls at Nox but answers me all the same. “I’d have aimed for his chest next. The mission is never going to be more important than you. Remember that, Bonded.”
Sawyer can’t find any evidence of anyone following us back.
Even when he checks up on the body cam that the Transporter was wearing, he can’t find any evidence of anyone else being in the woods with us. Nox doesn’t believe him and Gryphon has to intervene to get him to back down, and I can’t meet Sawyer’s eyes while they stand off against each other. I’m sure he just wants to make some joke about it, something awkward or sexual, but I just don’t have that in me right now.
Or he’s going to berate me for not having found something yet to get Sage out of the confinement she’s currently in.
Gryphon gets called away to deal with something big within his TacTeam. He drags Nox out with him, leaving me alone with Sawyer. Well, he leaves me, but only after he makes me swear on our Bond that I won’t move from here until Gabe comes to get me. It doesn't matter that I still have weapons strapped to me or, you know, a killer bond lurking inside me with a Gift that never freaking runs out.
I still need a Bond guard, apparently.
But I do as he says and slump into a chair next to Sawyer, the night of subpar sleep catching up to me. It takes exactly the amount of time required for Gryphon and Nox to leave the security office and get out of earshot before Sawyer turns to me with a stink eye.
“Why are you looking at me like you’ve killed my mom?”
I snort at him and shrug, rubbing both of my eyes so I still don’t have to look his way. “I still have nothing. I got Giovanna and Riley back here, but there was nothing else there, no signs of anything other than that bitch being a traitor. I feel fucking useless and guilty over the whole thing.”
Sawyer scoffs and I listen to the sound of his fingers flying over the keys as though it’s a freaking lullaby. “I wasn’t expecting you to find a giant billboard with an explanation out there in the woods, Oli. Were you?”
I kick my feet out a little wider. “I mean… it would’ve been nice. I need her out of there. I need something to explain this shit. Have you been to see her yet?”
“North won’t let me. I was pissed at first, but Gray pointed out that I’m of more use to her up here at my computer, and she’s with her Bonds. I made him go down there though, and he said she was a mess. Absolutely fucking devastated that she might’ve killed someone, even though she knows she didn’t actually do it… like, mentally. Physically, she for sure did. I know she did because I’ve tracked her every movement and there’s no manipulation on the video. I’ve been so freaking thorough with it all.”
I nod and finally look at him.
He looks like shit.
The same as I feel, really.
There’s dark circles under his eyes and the pile of empty energy drinks around his desk tells a pretty clear story of how hard he’s working to get his sister cleared of this shit. There’s a fine dusting of fair stubble on his cheeks too, which seems far too ‘grown up’ for the sarcastic, cheeky asshole that I know. When he catches me looking, he snaps, “I’m aware I need a shower, Fallows. Thanks for pointing it out.”
I scoff and throw a dismissive hand in his direction. “I was imagining you with a beard, if this keeps up for much longer, and I just can’t cope with that. I need to find something and get you the fuck out of here.”
My bond warms in my chest right as there’s a knock at the door. Sawyer presses a button under the table to let Gabe in. My Bond looks as though he’s come straight from one of the building sites, his work clothes still covered in a fine layer of dust, and a good, clean sweat still shining on his skin.
It makes my bond perk right the hell up.
“Gross, stop giving him those eyes in front of me. I don’t have time for all of the pent-up sexual frustration you two give off.”
I roll my eyes at Sawyer’s sass. “Usually, you’re signing up for front row tickets.”
He points at the door and snaps back, “Not when I’m trying to work. Go be young and horny and in love somewhere else.”
Gabe scoffs at him even as he holds out a hand for me to take, helping me out of my seat and tugging me into his side securely. “Good to see you too, Benson. Found anything yet?”