Page 104 of Haze of Obedience

"What happened?" Axel asks.

"Don't know all the details, but when we got here, two guys held Andre at gunpoint. He said Naomi's ex is with the Colombian cartel and took her."

"What?" Penelope covers her mouth.

"Andre went after him?" Axel asks.

"Yeah," Dirk replies.

Axel turns to Penelope. "He'll get her."

"Ladies, you stay here. We've got some cleaning to do." Dirk pats Axel on the back, and they leave.

Penelope and I hug. "I'm so happy you're okay," I tell her.

We exchange stories about the last few days, and Tinker arrives. We barely get introduced before he and Axel leave to dispose of the bodies. Dirk stays to clean the floors.

"Do you want help?" I ask.

He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. "Thanks, but I've got this. Just relax."

"Ummm...would Tinker mind if I looked through his fridge and cupboards to make something for dinner?"

He smiles. "Nope. Go right ahead." He winks then collects a few cleaning supplies and leaves the kitchen.

Penelope crosses her arms and sits back in her chair.

I suddenly feel nervous. "What?"

"You two getting along okay?"

I'm not sure why I try to hide my feelings for Dirk. Maybe it's because I'm not sure where we stand or if anything has changed since this morning. I guess it's more of my self-preservation. "When he isn't an ass."

"Is that often?"

I almost say yes but pause.

Stop talking bad about him. He doesn't deserve anything but kind words after all he's done to help you.

"No. He's actually a great guy."

"I see. And what does he think about you?"

"We're just friends."

"Sure. And the Pope isn't Catholic."

Heat rises in my face, but I attempt to convince her again. "We are." I should stop there, but my mouth becomes a loose cannon. "Dirk's very kind and respectful. And he's really good at using weapons. He's smart too and can speak both Spanish and English, which is helpful. Oh, and he knows how to spice things up to cover up the bad taste and makes me drinks for my voice. During his free time, he likes to do outdoorsy stuff like mountain climb, which is why he bought his house in Spain. And..." I stop when I notice Penelope's amused look on her face and realize I'm blabbing about everything Dirk.

At least I didn't tell her about his panty-melting kisses or the hot sex we had in the river.

Or how he won't be with me anymore.

Sadness fills me again.

"Zoe, you okay?"

I force a smile. "Yeah. So what is Axel like?"