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“Way ahead of you.” I replied.
“Storm?” Tex called. “You been quiet. You okay?”
“I don’t understand that kind of loyalty to people who would sell you out for a snicker bar.” Storm finally spoke. “I don’t get it.”
“People are stupid—but sometimes thinking someone is your friend blinds you.” I tried explaining. “They were young.”
“Too young to be wrapped up in any of this.” I added.
“Well, Thomas has been into the life for a while.” Tex explained. “He has a thirty-seven page rap sheet. He escaped from the Hobart Reception Center a year ago.”
“Reception Center?” Storm asked.
“It’s a maximum security prison for male and females in Tasmania.” I explained.
“Why not call it a prison?” Storm asked. “Why a reception center?”
“The name changed a while back.” I explained. “But yeah.”
“And how did he get all the way here?” Storm asked. “I’m sure someone has seen him in the time he’s escaped between then and now.”
“The man is dangerous, Storm.” Tex replied. “No one was going to turn him in for nothing.”
“I would have turned him in for a Klondike bar.” I murmured.
Taz laughed softly.
“Okay, so what do we do with this information?” I wanted to know.
“Go through what you found.” Tex advised. “See if anything leads us to anything. Then you can give me something to work with.”
We agreed and continued home in silence, stopping to get food.
When we arrived, Darby took the groceries we bought and headed off to make dinner. We explained what we found and what happened on the way back to Beam who frowned.
“Somehow they know who we are.” Beam spoke up. “It’ll be only a matter of time before they find their way here.”
“I agree,” I said. “I have a place by the ocean. We should head there. We probably won’t be able to stay there for very long, but it’ll change things up.”
“If they know who we are, don’t you think they’ll find your assets?” Beam asked.
“Not this place.” I responded. “It’s under an alias.”
“Why?” Storm asked.
“It’s a long story.” I shrugged. “But it has something to do with Tex doing me a favour.”
“Say no more.” Storm chuckled.
“I say we eat then go through Clive’s dirty little secret.” Beam stood and went off to help Darby with dinner.”
Alone with Storm, I watched him in silence. He was once again sitting on the sofa, his arms stretched out long the back like he always postured. I preferred the floor since it felt better on my back.
His wingspan was wide and since I’d known him, his body had grown sleek and muscular.
I found myself staring at him—his full lips, dark eyes, black hair and the size of his chest. I knew what it felt like to be hugged by him.
But what side of heaven would it be to lay beside him with my head on his chest?