Page 255 of Beyond the Blue Horizon

Because it was the only way she knew how to survive.

FIFTY-ONE

THEO

Wasit wrong that I couldn’t quit smiling as I made rounds at the motel? Spirit lighter than it’d ever been as I swept the perimeter. Boots thudding on the pavement and sinking into the snow as I whistled like some kind of cheesy motherfucker under my breath.

Knowing that Alicia and Lucy were finally truly safe, and they’d be leaving soon for their new home.

The threat that had been lurking resolved.

Buried six feet underground—exactly where it belonged.

Though I wouldn’t try to lie to myself and say that was it.

Deny that this joy had everything to do with the sweet energy that radiated from Unit B.

From Finn and Nelly who I left there twenty minutes ago, Finn hugging my leg and beaming up at me as he’d said, “MyFeocome right back?” which I had, in fact, promised him I would.

From Piper who was across town with my family, weaving her way into the flock, though the rhythm of my heart promised that she was already there.

From this new sense of purpose that had struck inside me.

This lo?—

Old wounds tried to snatch the thought from my mind. Taint it in my regret.

I refused it and continued on my typical path, sweeping my flashlight from left to right to ensure nothing was out of order.

After what happened with Pierce Renfry, Jonah had been taken to Dr. Reynolds and patched up. The cut had been pretty superficial, like he claimed, and he was already back to work at Kane’s since we no longer required the additional security here.

My regular guard was posted near the main building of the motel, and he’d make his own rounds throughout the night.

I trudged to the end of the lane near my cabin before I turned, anxious to get back to Unit B.

Finn’s precious face burning at the backs of my eyes.

All of it was amplified by the fact that Piper was bound to show soon.

The last texts we shared still had my guts coiled in need. Couldn’t wait to get her into my arms.

I was halfway back across the main parking lot when my phone rang from my pocket. I dug it out, and a slight smile rode to my lips when I saw who it was. “Silas, hey, man, you finally get that car finished?”

“Theo, listen, I’ve got info.” Urgency filled his tone.

My heart rate increased, that ancient need for retribution pushing to the surface. “What did you hear? You uncover that motherfucker?”

“More than uncovered him, man. Archer heard from his informant in LA. Toga is here. In Moonlit Ridge.”

A boulder of dread sank to the pit of my stomach.

How? Fucking how?

I’d been hunting that piece of shit for almost ten years. Coward always in hiding. Knowing exactly what was coming for him once I caught up to him.

But he was here.

I should be fucking ecstatic.