Page 53 of Code Name: Reaper
When I next opened myeyes, daylight streamed in through the window. I rolled over, remembering I was in my parents’ guesthouse, but wanting to forget everything else about last night.
“Fuck,” I muttered, checking the time on my phone. I’d slept until ten hundred. I couldn’t remember exactly what time it was when I got here, but I guessed I’d slept close to twelve hours. I checked my phone again for messages, but there weren’t any, which meant I hadn’t missed an alert about a meeting with Briggs. Thank God.
I set the phone down, rolled over, and stared up at the ceiling. Seconds later, there was a knock at the bedroom door.
“Come in,” I called out.
“Good morning.” My mother carried in a tray that—blessedly—held a cup of coffee and two large glasses, one with water and the other with orange juice. There was also a silver dome that likely covered food, something I couldn’t think about yet.
“I thought you could use these too.” She handed me two acetaminophen tablets.
“Thanks.” I downed them with a large drink of water. “I’m sorry about last night.”
She motioned for me to scoot over, then sat on the edge of the bed. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for. At least not to your dad and me.”
I bristled. Didn’t I know it?
“Your father’s meetings wrapped up yesterday, so we’re here to provide whatever help you need.”
I rested my head on the pillow. “You didn’t have to stay in town.”
“If I’d had any doubt about that yesterday afternoon, it was certainly dispelled last night. Plus, your brother said there were things about your current investigation you wanted to discuss with your dad.”
Plus.Because I’d already dumped the other thing on them.
“Is he awake?” Part of being night owls who lived in another time zone was that they were also late risers.
“He’s having coffee and finishing up some reports the Cerberus board requested.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes and no. They want to appoint him chairman. That’s the no part. He says he turned them down. That’s the yes part.” She paused, then sighed. “What about you? Is everything okay?”
“No.”
“I was afraid you’d say that. Part of me hoped you’d get a good night’s rest, and the other hoped you’d talk to Amaryllis.”
“I think whatever I say to her needs to happen in person.”
“That, I agree with.” She slapped her legs and stood. “Okay, I’ll let you either start your day or get more sleep if you need it.”
“I’ll be out shortly.”
“Bathroom is across the hall if you want to take a quick shower. I left a pair of your father’s jeans and a shirt in there for you. I’d say you were the same size, but by the looks of you, I doubt you are anymore. How much weight have you lost?”
“I really haven’t paid attention.”
“No, I suppose you wouldn’t have had time to.” She opened the bedroom door to leave.
“Thanks, Mom. For everything.”
She smiled. “I’d also say it was my pleasure, but I don’t think that’s appropriate in this case. I will tell you this: mothers—and fathers too—love to be needed. Especially when their kids are grown and gone.”
I rolled out of bed, took the shower she’d suggested, and made use of the brand-new toothbrush and paste she’d also left for me. My father’s clothes weren’t as loose on me as she probably thought they’d be, so I wore them.
“Hey, Dad,” I said when I found him sitting outside.
He looked me up and down. “Are those mine?”
