Page 77 of Gwen's Delta
“You need him. He should be with you not babysitting me.”
“No, princess, his job is just as important. I have to go. Be safe.”
“You, too.”
Merlin wanted to tell her he loved her, but if he didn’t make it back, it wasn’t fair to Gwen. If they got through today, it would be different.
* * *
After they hung up with Luke, unease skittered along Gwen’s neck, lifting the little hairs and raising goose bumps. There was still so much danger.
“So now what?” she asked as Zip checked his watch.
“We need to pack up. Can you take care of your stuff, and I’ll make sure everything else is ready?” Zip’s voice sounded deceptively calm.
“Um, sure. I can pack Luke’s things while I do mine. Most of them are in our room.”
“Sounds good. That will save me a little time.” Zip was already breaking down and packing the computer equipment spread across the dining room table.
Gwen hadn’t really unpacked, so there wasn’t much to put back into her bag. She folded and repacked the few things Luke had out and paused to hold one of his T-shirts to her face, inhaling his scent. Even that small thing offered her comfort. Ten minutes later, she’d finished their packing and double-checked all the drawers and the bathroom to make sure she didn’t forget anything.
“I’m all done,” Gwen announced as she dragged the two bags into the living room. “Can I help with anything else?”
“I’m just about done.” Zip poked his head out of one of the other bedrooms. Then he appeared with several bags slung over his shoulder. He dropped them to the floor next to the hard case holding their electronic equipment as a knock sounded at the door.
“What’s going on,” Gwen asked.
Zip tensed and held his finger to his mouth, then motioned for her to leave the room. Her pulse ratcheted up as she silently backed down the hallway and out of sight of the door.
Half expecting to hear a gunshot, and it surprised Gwen when Zip gave her the all-clear a few seconds later.
“You were quick,” Zip said to the tall man now standing in the living room. “Gwen, this is our ride to the airport. Sorry if I scared you, but Merlin will kill me if you get hurt again.”
“It’s okay. But why are we leaving? I thought we were supposed to wait here for the rest of the team?” A chill slid down her spine.What was going on?
“I’ll explain in the van, but we need to get moving,” Zip said as he picked up bags, handing a couple to the other man. Then they grabbed the ones at her feet.
“I can take my own,” Gwen protested.
“It’s okay, ma’am, just follow Zip down to the van. I’ll be right behind you,” the man’s voice was deep with a slight accent. What was it with these bossy guys?
After they had the van loaded with their gear, Gwen climbed into the middle row, and Zip got in after her.
“Okay, we’re in the van. Tell me what the heck is going on,” Gwen demanded.
Zip chuckled. “Merlin warned me how you were. He wasn’t wrong.”
Gwen didn’t know whether to be offended or not. “What does that mean?”
“That you’d want justification for everything we were doing. It was a compliment, Gwen. Don’t get your hackles up, woman.”
“Geesh, I don’t know how Destiny puts up with you,” Gwen replied, only half joking.
“Yeah, well, we have our moments. I’m sorry about rushing you out of the apartment, but Merlin wanted us on the plane, ready and waiting.”
“Are they in more danger than from just the bomb?”
“We’re not sure. But whether they can disarm it or not, we need to get you back home,” Zip said as he watched out the windows for threats.
