Page 116 of Red Fury

Maybe we actually pulled this off. Maybe Kozlov has decided to leave us alone.

The thought doesn’t sit right with me, though. A male like that doesn’t just let people walk away. We’re valuable to him. Perhaps Fury was right and he’s planning something, but we’ll be long gone by the time he has a chance to act on it.

At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

I feel shitty at the thought of leaving, and I wish I could say it was for business reasons…for the right ones. It’s not.

I glance at Fury and my heart clenches.

My heart?

No.

I’m in deeper than I thought. Maybe over my head. I don’t want to say goodbye to Fury. I might never see him again. Actually, the chances are good that this is it. Even though our islands are right next to each other, we may as well live in completely different worlds. We’ll probably never see each other again, and that’s the reality.

I plaster a smile on my face and stand taller. I need to put on a brave face. I can do this. I have to do this.

Fury keeps turning to look behind us, his body tense and alert. He’s been on edge since we left my apartment, constantly scanning for threats. Even now, in this quiet terminal, he can’t relax.

“So, your flight is only twenty minutes after mine?” I ask, trying to keep my voice light.

He nods. “Yep. I’ll go to my gate as soon as you’re through.”

“At least you’ll get to see your family,” I say, forcing brightness into my tone. “I’m sure you must have people you miss back home.”

“I do but…I… My mother has seven mates,” Fury says matter-of-factly.

The words are so unexpected that I push out a laugh before I can stop myself. Then I immediately feel terrible about it.

“Shit! Sorry,” I say, pressing my hand to my mouth. “I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”

“No need to apologize.” He gives me a half-smile. “It’s a crazy household and a crazy situation. Let’s just say that I don’t visit as much as I should.”

“Siblings?” I ask, genuinely curious now.

“Four half-brothers, but they’re much younger than me and I don’t really see eye to eye with any of them.” He pauses, and I can see him wrestling with something. “My father was mated to my mother first. He was her only mate, but after he died, my mom made the decision to enter into an open mating with more than one male. I never really approved, and I let it show, which was wrong of me…I guess. It is what it is.”

“I can see how you would have a hard time, and I’m sorry for your loss,” I say softly.

“Thank you.”

There’s an awkward silence, and I scramble to fill it. “Friends, then?” I ask, trying to change the subject. “You must have people you’re looking forward to catching up with.”

He nods, some of the tension leaving his face. “It’s not like I’ve been gone for all that long, but yeah, I have a couple of those.”

We reach the security checkpoint, and the familiar routine of emptying pockets and walking through scanners feels surreal. Like we’re just normal people going on normal trips, when we’reanything but. The security guards are efficient and professional, waving us through without any issues.

He walks with me all the way to my gate, and when we stop, he turns to face me. “You all set?”

“I am,” I manage to say. I’m trying hard not to cry. I refuse to give in and show weakness. Not now. Not when I need to be strong.

“This is it then,” he says.

“Yes.” I nod.

We move toward each other awkwardly, and then we’re hugging. It’s quick and tight, but not nearly enough. When we pull apart, I force myself to look him in the eyes.

“Look after yourself,” I tell him.