Page 35 of Protecting Clove
Q nodded. “I don’t really doubt you. Bud is new to love.”
“I’ll be fine. I know going home is the only way, so when it’s game time, I’ll be totally focused.”
“Game time,” Trip said. “I hope we get a chance to actually play this time. That bastard better not elude us again.”
“We’ll get him,” Rider said as he passed by.
Bud stood and stretched. “I need to get some sleep.”
Kevlar patted him on the shoulder. “You’re right. We should all pass out for a while. We’ve got a busy few days ahead of us.”
This time around, they’d limited who knew about the mission. They were being careful because they couldn’t afford any sabotage. This mission had to go perfectly. If they screwedthis up, they would be dead, and he couldn’t have that. He had to stay alive because now he had something, someone to live for.
25
The first night, Clove had an issue getting sleep, but by the third night, she was sleeping like a baby. Bud had a security system installed in his place, too, that was just like hers. She had the application sending her information about this place now, so she wasn’t keeping track of her side of the duplex. Thario was, though.
She was headed to Thario’s place to meet someone Bud thought was important. She wasn’t really sure who they were, but she trusted Bud.
The woman who opened Thario’s door seemed very nice. She welcomed in both her and Neo then knelt next to Neo.
“My name is Caroline. What’s your name?”
“I’m Neo. This is my mom, Clove. Thario is good with computers, are you?”
Caroline shook her head. “I can get around if I need to, but I’m good with chemicals.”
“Like a chemist?”
Caroline nodded. “Yes.”
“When I found out salt was made of sodium and chloride, I freaked out for a day, but my mom got me a book about chemical compounds, and I learned that table salt isn’t toxic.”
Caroline’s eyebrows rose. “You’re correct. Table salt isn’t toxic. Though you shouldn’t overeat it.”
“Then I had to look up each chemical in the cleaning products we used. I made Mom switch to using different products because I didn’t know how the chemicals interacted.”
“Interesting. How old are you?”
“I’m five. The school made me take a test, and I get to go to a special school next year instead of regular kindergarten. I would have been bored.”
“I bet. If you ever have any questions about chemistry, I’d be happy to help.”
“Are you two talking chemistry?” The man who had to be Caroline’s husband asked as he stepped inside from the back deck. “I’m Wolf. I’m helping Thario grill burgers. I hope you like to eat.”
Neo flashed a smile. “I do. Though I like hotdogs better, even though they aren’t the best for me.”
Wolf’s smile widened. “We do have a few hotdogs on the grill for you.”
“That’s good. So, what type of wolf is your favorite?” Neo asked.
“The big ones,” Wolf answered.
Clove chuckled, then shook Wolf’s offered hand. “I’m Clove.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Wolf’s gaze swung to Neo, then back to her. “We’ll talk later.”
Clove nodded, not wanting to discuss everything in front of Neo. She was doing better but still had issues with fear. Frog came in and made a beeline straight to Neo. He hung out with Neo all night, never leaving her side for long. She giggled like a child, and Caroline played with her while she and Wolf spoke in hushed tones in the kitchen. Thario listened to their conversation.
