Page 24 of Romancing His Heart
Sloane
“Coming up here was a mistake, Loki. You’re not ready.”
“I don’t have a fucking choice,” he bellows, causing me to step back. “This is not a game, Red. I don’t have a normal job. I’m not a nine-to-five kind of guy. I hunt people. That is what I do, and if I’m not hunting, then I am the hunted.”
“Hey! What the hell did I tell you?” Emory storms into the war room. “First, this is too soon,” she says, gesturing around the room. “Second, don’t you dare speak to my sister like that, ever. She’s the one who figured out your stupid five points west clue. She is the reason you have any idea what’s going on right now.”
When Loki was missing, he had been able to get some messages to Seth and Ashton. They were spinning circles until I looked at their world from a different angle. I didn’t really solve the mystery, but maybe I did nudge them in the right direction.
“Emory,” I mutter, “It’s fine. You don’t have to stick up for me. I’m an adult and can do it myself.”
“I’m sorry, Red. I didn’t mean to lash out—”
“Honestly, Loki. It’s fine. I shouldn’t have interrupted. It’s my fault.”
“What? No—”
“Loki? Emory’s right. You should also know that everyone is up to speed—all the Westbrooks and everyone in this room. When Vic cut off support by listing you AWOL, Seth had no choice but to bring us in. He needed all our resources. That should put you at ease with what you say around the girls.” Preston’s tone is neutral, but his body language is protective as he takes multiple steps closer to Emory.
I stare at Loki. I know he hears the words Preston says, but it doesn’t seem like they are computing.
“All of you,” he says, pointing around the room. “You all sat here, trying to find me?” Spinning in his chair, he levels me with a stony glare. “You didn’t even know me.”
Tapping my middle finger, I raise my eyebrows in challenge. “It was good research. Maybe I’ll write a story about you someday.”
He fights it, but I see the hitch in his lip as something electrifies the air between us.
“You can’t handle my story, Red.”
“I don’t have to. I write my own endings.”
“Ah, guys?” Ashton interrupts our staring contest.
“What?” Loki barks.
Taking a few steps forward, I silently take the seat next to him while he glares at me. Sweat is beading on his forehead, and I look to Emory for guidance. She nods to the water, so I slowly uncap it and hand it to him.
“I don’t know what’s happening,” he finally admits. “I just have a feeling something is coming, and it won’t be good.”
Emory takes the seat opposite him. “Loki, you’ve had a traumatic head injury that we don’t fully know the extent of because of this shitshow. I have been researching and asking colleagues about you. I genuinely trust you will be fine, but you have to give this time. I understand time is not a luxury, so whatever you’re about to do, go into it knowing you’re not functioning at full capacity. All of this combined can trigger symptoms of PTSD, and you need to be conscious of it. That is not something I can help you with.”
Emory turns her attention to me as she stands, and I hate the sympathy, the pity I see there.
“I’m leaving for the hospital. Are you okay?”
Rising from my seat, I meet her at the door. “I’m fine, thanks. I’ll see you tonight.” I give her a hug with a pit in my stomach. She has spent her entire life taking care of me. She doesn’t deserve my baggage weighing her down, too.
Silently, I make my way back to the table and sit next to Loki. I notice his shoulders relax as I pull in my chair. Clasping my hands in front of me, I stare straight ahead. Ashton is explaining something about the map on the wall, but I’m only half listening.
I need to get my shit together.
My life is a mess. I’m a wanderer, a runner, a free spirit chained by insecurity. Why am I even sitting in here? Loki isn’t my responsibility, and no one asked for my opinion.
“Hey.” Loki leans into me, invading my space and dragging me from my thoughts. “Are you okay? I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
Shooing him away with my right hand, I say, “No worries. It’s fine.” Glancing around the room, I notice everyone is staring at me. “What?” I look behind us, but no one’s there.
“Nothing, Sloane. We were just telling Loki how you figured out his clue about five points west. I don’t think we ever thanked you,” Preston says with a furrowed brow, as if it were some colossal transgression.
