Page 48 of Zero
“What did you do, anyway?”
“You know how they say actions speak louder than words?”
Nitro nodded.
“He tried comforting me and I kind of gave him the cold shoulder and walked out on him.”
“I see.” Nitro nodded again. “That’d do it. There’s nothing we can do about any of that right now. You need to get dried, get dressed and come out. We’re waiting for you to go check out the location where Ortega said they were holding Justice.”
“You know about all that?”
“Yeah.” Nitro rose from where she’d been sitting on the floor. “I’ve been here a while, waiting for you to make an appearance”
She turned off the water, dried her hands on a towel and headed for the door. “Everyone’s waiting.”
I didn’t want to face any of them, but I nodded. I needed to put on my big girl panties and deal. Once Justice was home again—if he was still alive—then I can focus on what thisthingwas for Rei.
The door clicked behind Nitro and I somehow managed to haul myself to my feet. After lathering my skin with lotion, I dressed in a pair of leggings and a red tank. It took a little bit of time to take in enough breaths to lift my chin and walked into the room where everyone was sitting around with Tex on a video call, discussing what was happening.
When I stepped into the room, all eyes turned to me. “Sorry—I was—um…”
“It’s fine.” Rei stood. “You can sit there.”
Nitro walked into the kitchen and came back with a plate of food. Though I wasn’t hungry, I accepted and sat where Rei offered the seat.
“The plan for now is information gathering.” Bòkò caught me up. “Bailey, you, Zero and I will go to the spot where Ortega told us. It was on our list.”
“In the meantime.” Dude picked up. “Crash, Eton and I will go to the next location.”
“Patrick, Barbie and Jasmine to the next.” Eton pointed out. “Nitro will be here with Fabienne. If anything happens, Nitro’s skills from being a former JDF soldier will come in handy. She can handle herself.”
“If those don’t pan out, whoever is closest to the other locations…” Barbie leaned in to point on the map. “Go check ‘em out.”
“What if one group finds Justice?” I asked.
“Then we call it in, we gather close to the location, hash out a new plan and go from there.” Rei replied. “Everyone good on what they’re doing?”
I looked around the room and they all nodded.
“Good.” Tex stepped in. “I’ve programmed all the GPS in your vehicles for the location you’re to go to with the shortest possible routes. I’ll be in your ears for any help I can render. I won’t unleash the drone until we’ve confirmed location.”
“Questions?” Rei asked.
When no one said anything, he offered a curt nod. As they moved about to get into their respective groups, I didn’t budge. For some reason I was on the team with Rei and I knew it was going to be awkward as hell. But I wouldn’t focus on it. This was to find Justice and I was determined not to be distracted or be a distraction for anyone else.
Nitro gave me a knowing look as she and Fabienne stepped out of the way. My best friend didn’t have to say anything. Her silence spoke a million words of caution as I walked by her. I brushed as close to Rei as I could, but he merely stepped back to give me a wide berth.
My heart sank.
This was one of those times I wished he wasn’t such a good man. This was one of those times I didn’t want him to take no, or my body language for an answer.
But there were more important things than what I was feeling.
I sat in the back seat while Bòkò took the place beside Zero. The GPS’ robotic voice cut through the silence as we made our way off the hill toward the water. I wanted to say something, anything but I had nothing good to say, nothing that would make this situation better.
“Okay.” Bòkò cleared his throat and shifted sideways. “There’s something in the air between the two of you, neh?” He looked between us.
“Don’t worry about it, Bòkò.” Rei’s voice was stiff. “It won’t affect the mission.”
