Page 53 of A SEAL's Protection
She goes silent.
“If that’s what you want, Marcus.” I’m reminded of Keely as a girl, running through the fields in her gumboots, hair wild and tangled, me chasing her with the scent of earth and straw in the air.
For some, it’s an idyllic life, working the land. But it’s not the life for me. I choose something different. I choose to serve, and I’m not done yet.
Only this time, it’s a different type of service I want to sign up for.
“It sounds like you’ve got something going on over there.”
“I have.” I think of Allegra, her steely determination, her strength, and the fight in her when she spoke to the press. And the other side of Allegra, her vulnerability and the raw openness that she let me see. Only me.
I’ve honed my instincts over years in the special forces, and I've learned to always trust my gut.
My gut is telling me there’s something I need to do. A final mission and the scariest one of all.
“I have to go.”
“Don’t disappear again, Marcus.” Keely sounds vulnerable too for the first time, and I’m reminded that my strong sister has her vulnerable side too. “It’s been hard since Dad passed. I want to know you’re out there and keeping safe.”
“I’m here, sis. And I’ll come back for a visit real soon.”
We sign off, and I pocket my phone as I head for my car.
There’s somewhere I need to be.
24
ALLEGRA
The TV runs in a constant news stream showing Professor Wainwright being led away by police. A clip of me comes on from the press conference. I’m grimy with dirt from the trail, but I speak clearly and confidently.
I reach for the remote and turn the sound off. I’ve heard this clip a hundred times. And a hundred times I’ve scanned the background hoping for a glimpse of Marcus. But the man faded into the shadows as soon as we landed.
My chest twists when I think about him. I opened myself up to him, and then he was gone, or I was gone. Dad didn’t give me much of a chance to hang about.
“Do you want a sandwich?” Dad’s been hovering since we got back. “Or a steak? I can have Rhonda make something up for you.”
His concerned gaze sweeps over me. “You’ve lost weight since you’ve been gone. You need to eat something, Eggy.”
“I’m fine, Dad.” I force a smile. “It’s just… a lot.”
Tears sting my eyes suddenly, and I look away so Dad doesn’t see. I have the samples, I’ve exposed the biggest environmental scandal this decade, and I’ve proven myself as a research scientist. So why does it feel like my chest has been hollowed out?
The sound of tires on stone saves me from more of Dad’s concern. He peers out the window to the circular driveway below.
“Ah good. He found us.”
My heart sinks, wondering if he’s talking about a press contact. I hope I’m not expected to do any more interviews. Not today anyway.
Dad heads downstairs and a moment later I hear voices at the door, the soft tones of a New Zealand twang.
My heart lurches with part joy and part fear.
I leap out of my seat with my heart thundering in my ears. Marcus is here. He came.
The door to the sitting room opens onto the corridor, which has a wide staircase leading down to the front reception.
I pause at the top of the stairs with my heart pounding. Jeremy, the butler, is ushering Marcus into the house, and Dad strides toward him with his arm outstretched.
