Page 34 of Eclipse Bound
"Eclipse," Solar acknowledged.
"Solar," Eclipse greeted with obvious relief. "Your disguise is effective."
Rowan disagreed with that assessment, but kept quiet. Solar
"Yes. It is," Solar replied, moving past him into the suite. "I am a cowboy."
Dani met Rowan's eyes and gave a small shrug. "He found the hat in my car."
Rowan stood. "I'm glad you're all right."
Solar gave a small frown at her concern, as if he didn't know how to respond to it.
"We need to discuss Milano and the extraction timeline," Solar said, removing the glasses now that they were in secure quarters. "Where is Lunar?"
"Unknown," Eclipse admitted. "He also did not return last night."
"Hopefully still with Poppy," Rowan suggested, trying not to think about what would happen if Milano had found him first. "I just texted her again to let her know Milano is at the retreat. I told them to be careful."
Solar continued to frown. "We must locate him immediately. Milano is actively tracking us, and Galaxy Brides has set extraction for forty-eight hours from now."
Rowan felt her heart skip.
"They contacted you?" she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady despite the sudden flood of emotion.
Extraction. They were leaving in forty-eight hours. Eclipse was leaving. After everything they'd shared, after the connection they'd formed, he would be gone in two days.
She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the immediate threat.
"A Milano representative approached us at dinner last night," Eclipse said. "James Petersen. He mentioned unusual atmospheric disturbances and electromagnetic anomalies."
"They're using satellite technology and ground teams with specialized equipment," Solar added.
"That tracks with what I uncovered before they shut down my investigation," Rowan nodded, her journalist's mind connecting the dots despite her emotional turmoil. "The Milano Foundation has been funding unusual research for years, supposedly for medical applications, but the security around their facilities was military-grade."
"So what's the plan?" Dani asked, looking between them. "Are you guys leaving?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. Rowan stared at Eclipse, eager and scared to hear his answer.
"That decision has not been finalized." Eclipse didn’t meet her gaze. "We must discuss all options once Lunar is located."
Rowan took a deep breath and pretended to check the cupboards in the kitchenette. Her hands shook. She needed to get control of her emotions.
"I can call Poppy," Dani said behind her. "They're probably at her place. It's out near Boynton Canyon."
As Dani made the call, Eclipse joined Solar on the far side of the room by the window. Rowan tried to hear what they were saying, but it was too soft.
After a long moment, Dani’s voice interrupted their conversation. "Good news and bad news. I reached Poppy, and Lunar is with her. That's the good news."
"And the bad?" Rowan asked.
"They spotted men in black SUVs near her place this morning. Professional types with equipment. They're hiding out in some cave system Poppy knows."
Solar and Eclipse exchanged glances.
"Milano has begun active pursuit," Solar stated.
"Poppy says she can bring Lunar here tonight after dark," Dani continued. "But they're staying put until then. Something about him being more mobile at night?"
