Page 104 of Silent Heart

I could do this. Harley and I could be together. One day at a time, but miracle of miracles, I didn’t have to lose her.

The horror ebbed, and my body thawed. Cranking the truck to drive, I crept out into the road. It was high time to see what Chicago’s underworld had to offer. If there was a way to stay here in the Windy City and not give up my vocation, I needed to pursue it! This might feel too good to be true, but for once, I embraced hope instead of radiating despair.

***

Walking through the door of the Seattle-founded café, I met the stare of the barista. I walked forward, avoiding the line at the point-of-sale, to stand before the espresso machines. Beth flicked a glance at her wrist, pursed her lips, and grabbed another cup to start filling.

“I can wait,” I offered quietly. “But I’m ready to talk.”

“Order something, and I’ll take my break.”

I glanced back at the line and grimaced. Coffee had never been something I enjoyed. But as I flicked my gaze over the menu, something about pumpkins and apples made me think of Harley.

I should try one.Oh, how she would smile when I told her.

Convinced, I joined the line, ordered, and when the beverage was finished, I took the white cup to a back table near the bathrooms.

Beth joined me a moment later, setting her nametag between us. “What changed your mind?”

“You’re good at computers. You know things.” I popped the lid off my coffee. There was brown stuff sprinkled on white foam. I sniffed at it. Spices—warm and rich, like my stepmother’s kitchen.

“You found the college girl?” Beth leaned forward, keeping her hopeful voice quiet.

I met her sparkling gaze. “I’ll raid the safe house tonight.”

“See! We would make a damn fine team,” Beth whispered.

“And what would we be doing together?” I pressed. While she considered me, I took a long sip. The hot liquid burnt my tongue, but aside from the fact that this was too damn sweet, the flavors weren’t wretched.

“I’ve been recruiting. But none of my other operatives have your…record.” Beth tapped her fingers in a steady rhythm against the tabletop. “I need a mentor for the field operations. I can find the bad guys, I have the manpower, funds, resources…but I need teams who can take them out.”

Maybe it was the sudden spike in blood sugar, but my pulse began to quicken. “A training program?”

“Exactly!” Beth said, a little too loudly. She winced, leaned forward even more, and lowered her voice. “You’re the last piece of my puzzle, Wraith. The commander to mold and lead my men.”

This could be too good to be true.

This could be an answered prayer.

For the rest of my days, as long as I wasn’t old and crippled, I would fight this cancer to society. But how I fought could change for the better. Not wanting to rush into anything, I quickly developed a plan that would benefit both parties involved.

“I’ll meet them. We’ll spend the next few weeks getting to know one another and building trust,” I agreed. “If we feel like this is a good fit for both of us, I’ll join you full-time.”

Beth gave me a time and place before hurrying behind the counter to continue her shift. This was a start. I took another long sip of my coffee. If only I’d responded to her sooner—realized there was potential. No, the past was done and therewas no changing it. But now I could spend my time looking forward.

Chapter 42 – Harley

Iglanced at my phone as I gathered my notebooks and materials from the auditorium seat. There was a message from an unknown number, but given the contents of the message, it was a safe guess as to who my mysterious sender was.

Unknown: Dinner. 7 p.m. I’ll explain everything.

Hoisting my bag over my shoulder, I tapped a sassy response, full of emojis.

Me: You? You hardly speak. Do you really have enough to fill the whole span of dinner, or will we be doing other…things?

Naughty ideas began to fill my mind. The fire we lit this morning in the back of his pickup smoldered.

Unknown: I’ll talk.

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