Page 11 of Hide From Me

“Moe,” Sam warns. I know he hates it when I start stumbling over my words, but I can’t seem to focus on him right now.

“What do you need?” I huff. She still hasn’t moved an inch. My phone pings, so I quickly pull it out.

You left me your number.

My whole body relaxes. I close the files and spin in my chair, grinning.

I did. You said you wanted casual, right?

“Why are you smiling?” Sam asks. I instantly wipe the expression off my face, glancing at him over the edge of my phone. Why is he here? I’m off-duty. He has no reason to be interrupting.

“Well—” I say with more bite than intended, so I fake a laugh and toss in a casual tone. “Just a dumb cat video.”

He doesn’t buy it. “I came to prep you for your next mission.”

My smile dies.

He looks at me like he’s about to—oh, hell no!

I quickly stand up as he lunges toward my phone.

“Whatthe fuck are you doing?” I shout. He just laughs—deep, amused, and rumbling–but his brown eyes have darkened.

Shit. He noticed.

“Did you…”

Snap? Yes. I snapped. What, do they all think I justshit outmy anger and flush it away? I bottle it up, but the dooming liquid trickles over the top every once in a while. I tuck my phone into my back pocket and clench my fist around it.

“What are you doing, Moe?” The authority in his tone hits me hard. I’m not just talking to my brother's best friend, but addressing my lieutenant. I snap to attention, tucking my arms behind my back, jaw clenched. My phone buzzes again in my pocket. Not now.

“Just tracking a suspicious shipment.” The lie rolls too easily off my tongue. My phone vibrates again, and my jaw clenches at the thought of not being able to check it yet.Whatif she needs me?

Sam opens his mouth to speak and raises a finger in my direction, but is interrupted by Caspian’s voice.

“Did you get him prepped?”

Sam’s jaw tightens, and my heart races in my chest.Please,fortheloveofGod,don’tratmeoutnow.It seems my troubled expression softens Sam’s demeanor as he mutters, “Not yet,” through gritted teeth.

“It’s fine. You have a month, anyway.” Caspian’s voice trails off, leaving me confused.What does that even mean?At most, I get prepped for a week.

“Wait!” I try to step around Sam, but he blocks my path. I growl in frustration as he laughs, so I push him aside.

“Cas!” I yell as I exit my room, and he glances back at me with an annoyed expression that makes me hesitate.What have I done now?

“Look, I—”

He sighs heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’m just stressed.”

I nod, relaxing a little. He gets like this. I once read that people lash out at those they trust most because it’s their safest space. Maybe I’m that for him, like he is for me.

“So, this mission?” I ask, but my phone vibrates again, causing me to freeze as I pull it out. My heart drops into my stomach as three short messages stare back at me.

“Yeah, I know it's far out, but I need you to be prepared, not only physically but mentally. Technically, we never know what will arise where you’re going, and I don’t know how you’ll handle—" Caspian's words trail off, but I can’t force myself to focus on him when I can hardly catch my breath.

“Moe?”

I swear this isn’t a pickup line, but can you help me?