Page 8 of Oliver (The Golden Team #7)

Oliver

T he safehouse was a two-bedroom stone cottage tucked into the hills above the coast—one of River’s old assets, rarely used, barely on any map.

But tonight, it felt like a lifeline.

Cyclone was in the other room, talking to River. I stood in the kitchen, watching steam curl off a chipped mug of tea.

Across the room, Emery sat on the couch—hair damp from the shower, a blanket draped over her legs, staring into space. I could tell she was scared, I guess that’s what it was. Sometimes she looked like she wanted to kill someone.

She hadn’t said much since we got here.

Didn’t cry. Didn’t fall apart.

But I’d seen the flicker in her eyes when the door first locked behind us.

She was holding everything in with white-knuckled fists.

I crossed the room and set the mug on the table beside her.

“Chamomile,” I said. “Or something pretending to be.”

“Thanks,” she said, her voice low.

Silence stretched.

Then: “Do you always get dropped into missions like this?”

I smirked. “Not lately. I was trying domestic life.”

“And now?”

I looked at her.

Really looked at her.

Swollen lip. Bandaged arm. I could tell by the way her breath hitched when she didn’t know I was watching that her ribs hurt.

And still—still—holding herself up straight.

“Now I’m here.”

She met my eyes and didn’t look away.

“You weren’t what I expected,” she said quietly.

“Yeah?” I asked. “What were you expecting?”

“Someone colder. Less…” Her brow furrowed. “ Human. ”

I sat on the edge of the coffee table, facing her. “Cyclone used to be like that, but Jude has changed him.”

“Besides, I thought the same about you. You are way stronger than I thought you would be.”

She huffed a laugh. “Guess we both screwed that up.”

A beat passed.

Then she whispered, “I was beginning to think no one would come. I know it was only four days, but it felt like forty days. I think they were getting ready to kill me.”

“I came to save you,” I said. “And I’m staying here to protect you. You’re safe now.”

Her jaw trembled just once.

Then she nodded.

And reached for my hand.

She didn’t say thank you.

Didn’t have to.

The way her fingers curled into mine— that was enough. She was thankful.

“I just don’t understand why they took me. I have money, but not that much to hold me for ransom.”

“What about your family? Are they wealthy?”

“No, my Dad was a Navy SEAL, and my Mom was a schoolteacher. Dad helps his buddies, who rescue Americans from other countries.”

“Oh yeah, who does he work with?

“The Band of Navy SEALS.”

“No kidding, I know those SEALS. Is your dad Jason Blake?”

“Yes. Do you know my Dad? We should call him and let him know I’m okay.”

“My buddies would have done that already.” I looked up as Cyclone walked inside. “Cyclone, Emery’s dad is Jason Blake, he sometimes works with the Band of Navy SEALS.”

“Oh yeah, so that’s who taught you to fight?”

“Yes, and shoot a gun, and throw a knife.”

“Do you have any idea why these guys took you?” Cyclone asked.

“No, I have tried to think why they grabbed me, but I have no idea.”

“I came to tell you we are leaving, early in the morning. We’ll fly back to the United States.”

“Where do you guys live?”

“Southern California.”

“Me too. I live in San Diego.”

“We all live in Carlsbad. That’s not far from where you live,” I said, smiling.

“You’ll have to go to a safe house until we find out what these guys wanted from you,” I said.

“Why? I want to go home. These people most likely wanted to ransom me. I’m going home, I’ll be careful, you no longer have to worry about me.”

“When we return to the States, I’ll talk to your father and see what he says. But it doesn’t matter if you decide to go home. I will be with you.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I’m making sure you live longer. We are still investigating who these people are.”