Page 65 of Shadow Lies

“Yes, actually. I did. Have you made a decision about the position?”

“Yes. I have.” She hadn’t until just a moment ago.

But in light of Kane’s leaving and Charley’s eerily timed call, the answer had become clear.

“And…” Charley prompted.

“I have some demands.”

Charley let out a chuckle. “Do you?

“I do.” And either they’d accept them or tell her to take a hike. But at least she could try.

Alexis held her breath and waited to see which it would be.

“All right,” Charley agreed. “Let’s talk.”

ChapterTwenty-Five

Kane slept for most of the bus ride back to Henan. Being able to bunk down and catch some sleep even in the most unaccommodating conditions was a skill he’d honed while a SEAL.

Thankfully, exhaustion had won out over obsession and his mind quieted enough to let him sleep without thoughts of Alexis keeping him awake.

Before he knew it, they were pulling up to the monastery and one of the brothers was shaking him by the shoulder.

None of them had questioned him about his absence yesterday and last night. He did get a few looks and he knew they wondered. But as the only traveler who hadn’t pledged his life to the monastery, he had a feeling it was more curiosity about where he’d been than judgment for his being gone.

There was a flurry of activity and chatter as the passengers and bags were unloaded. News had to be conveyed quickly before the silent evening meal began and speech was forbidden.

He was looking forward to the peace of the silent meal—if he could keep his mind silent as well. That might be easier said than done.

Grabbing his canvas bag, he slung it over his shoulder and turned toward the entrance, about to make his way to his room when his teacher intercepted him.

“I heard you did well. That even the leader of our country praised the performance. That is nothing to take lightly.”

Kane smiled. “The leader ofyourcountry, shifu. The leader ofmycountry wasn’t there out of protest.”

“Yes. I read the news. I also hear you did not spend the night with the brothers.” His teacher pinned him with an unwavering stare.

Wow. News traveled fast. Who knew monks were such gossips?

Kane pressed his lips together. Shame over his actions made it hard to answer. “Shifu—”

The older man held up his hand. “No. You are not obligated to live as we live.”

He shook his head, feeling to his core how wrong his recent actions were. “As long as I am honored to be here, I should live as you do. Uphold your rules.”

“You are not a monk,” his teacher said simply.

How many times had Kane said that recently? To Alexis. To Charley’s men. Yet it seemed deep down he felt disappointment in himself when he failed to live like he was one.

“So Buddha will forgive me?” he asked, only half joking.

“The only one who must forgive you is yourself.”

His teacher always did have a knack for distilling things down to the simplest and most hard-hitting truths.

Kane grunted in agreement. “Sometimes that is the hardest.”

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