Page 78 of Falcon

“I just talked to Faith and Rose outside,” he says, as he wraps an arm around Nora.

Christ.“Okay...” I say.

“And Faith told me she’s taking some time off. That HR approved it early this morning. And she’s going with you when you leave this afternoon.”

“He just told me,” Nora tells him.

“Falcon, I love that girl like you love Nora. I’d do anything to protect her, just like you would do for Nora, and to quote someone I know Nora cares deeply about, ‘if you do anything to hurt her, I’ll march my way over there and stick your head up your ass.’”

“Heard and noted.” I reach out to shake his hand in a sign of understanding and mutual respect.

He reaches across and gives my hand a firm shake, and I swear, my sister lights up like a goddamn firework.

“So if Faith is going with you, are you taking your bike all the way back?” Nora asks.

I shake my head. “No, I booked a flight for us. I’ll have the bike shipped home. It’s easier that way.”

“Wow, Marco Masen without his motorcycle. How will you even cope?”

“I’ll have something even prettier keeping me busy.” I wink.

Nora and I laugh when I hear Case groan, just like I do when he and Nora kiss or even touch.

“Do you need a ride to the airport? We’ll absolutely take you,” Case offers.

“Actually, yes, that would be great,” I tell him. “I just need to finish up in here and I’ll go over and see if Faith is almost ready.”

“What time is your flight?”

I pull my cell out of my pocket to check the time. “Six hours from now.”

“Then we’ll head out in four.” He kisses Nora’s head. “I’m going to take Arya for a run. I’ll leave you two to finish up whatever you need to do.” He gives me a nod then heads back down the hall.

Nora turns to watch him go then looks back at me with tears in her eyes. “I’m going to miss you, Big Brother.”

I pull her in for a hug. Not much in this world guts me, but seeing my sister cry does that in spades.

“I’m going to miss you too, but I’ll come back soon. I promise.” I rest my chin on top of her head. My large form hulking over her small one.

“Promise me, because I can't deal with not seeing you. It sucks way more than I thought it would.”

“That’s because I’m awesome and everyone likes being around me.” She pinches my side. “Ouch! God, you’re so mean.”

She steps back and wipes her eyes. “I learned from the best.”

“I take offense to that.”

“You were meant to.”

“I’ll be okay, Nor. I promise.”

She just gives me a nod. “Okay, well, I’ll let you finish up over here then go check on Faith. You let us know when you’re both ready to roll.”

There it is. The Masen Brush Off. It’s our patented move. We mastered it years ago.

“Okay. And Nor?”

“Yeah?” She halts in her tracks before walking away.

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