Page 37 of Retribution

“There’s no way?—”

“Where did you stay all night?” Grant asks, walking around Lucas to stand beside us. He didn’t make a sound, or used our voices to cover it up. It’s a bit inhuman, but I can sympathize with that when I can move in the same manner when I want to.

Hence why I’m being cuddled in Lucas’ arms now.

“A tree,” I shrug. “I was there all night, and even drank some coffee before I climbed down.”

Lucas’ shoulders tremble slightly, and I appreciate that he isn’t calling me out for my disgraceful fall from the tree, despite his amusement at my words.

“You may have noticed the rope she left on the ground,” he practically wheezes. “It’s how she kept herself from falling while she slept.”

“What if I’d been someone else?” I ask, my eyes widening as I think about it. “I could have been a sniper, kidnapper, anyone other than myself. He’s already been kidnapped once, I thought you’d be better at your jobs. I’m disappointed.”

“Did you hear that? The most important woman in my life is unhappy. What are you going to do with that information, Thom?”

“I… Well, sir, miss, I want to know how this happened so I can fix it,” Thom says, his hands fisting in worry. “I’ll walk with you so I’m not hindering the continuation of your day, miss.”

Oh.I wasn’t expecting him to take me seriously. Swallowing hard, I nod. Dropping my head back slightly, I stare at Lucas in admiration.The most important woman in his life,huh? Damn, he’s a smooth talker.

“We both appreciate that,” Lucas says, beginning to walk forward again.

Grant surprises me as he falls into step beside Lucas, and Thom moves to walk on our other side.

“The scope of the video cameras are too narrow,” I say, waiting for push back from one of them.

“How so?” Thom asks.

“I hugged the trees as I walked, watched as they panned the area before moving past,” I explain.

“It was pitch black out last night. How were you able to see any of that? It was a new moon,” Grant says.

“Night vision glasses,” I shrug. “This isn’t my first rodeo in skulking in places I shouldn’t be.”

Lucas clears his throat, shaking his head.

“It’s not that you shouldn’t be here, but that I would prefer that you not sleep in trees when it’s so cold out,” he grumbles. “Please, by all means continue.”

Holding back the urge to laugh, I enjoy the bubble of something resembling butterflies. Pressing on, I explain how Lucas’ security can make improvements. Maybe I’ll come back to see if it actually gets implemented or not.

“I don’t know what that look on your face means, but please don’t do it,” Lucas groans.

“Sir?” Grant asks, appearing befuddled.

“How am I going to know if security is actually improved if I don’t test it?” I ask, very close to pouting.

“You’re going to get yourself shot,” Grant sighs.

“Oh please,” I scoff. “Now you’re just being dramatic, Grant. Besides, you wouldn’t care if I was, and you’d probably throw a party afterward. Didn’t you complain about me last night in the backyard?”

Thom stoically refuses to react while Grant’s mouth opens and shuts like a fish. Lucas shakes his head, his amusement gone.

“I suggest that you take a moment to appreciate how resourceful she is,” Lucas says. “I’ll leave you two here so you can discuss how to tighten up security. Both of you should be thanking Isolde for showing us the holes that we have.”

Once we are out of ear shot, I sigh. “I didn’t win any points with either of them, but that wasn’t my intention anyway. Lucas, I can walk. I didn’t hurt myself because you caught me.”

“If I’m holding you, it’s less likely that you’ll disappear,” he mutters. “I hate that I can’t smell you.”

“If everyone could smell me, that wouldn’t allow me to hide. Would it?” I ask.