Page 92 of The Pawn

“A fall?” Jet asks. From his tone, he doesn’t believe it.

“I don’t know. I need to get there. I need to see him.”

“How bad?” Jet asks.

Cassian looks at Jet and I see how bad in his eyes, but a moment later, there’s something else there. Something darker. Angrier. “Could Malek know that Seth is alive?”

“At this point, I don’t know,” Jet says.

“I need to go. I need to get to him.” He grabs his holster,puts it on, then pulls on his jacket. He looks at me and walks back to his desk. He unlocks a drawer and takes out my phone. “I kept it charged,” he says, handing it to me.

I take it. Face ID unlocks it, and I see the messages I just read on the iPad populate.

“I put my number in there. In case.” He turns to Jet. "Jet, question Angelo. Find out if he told Malek about my brother. Make sure he’s alive when I get back,” he says through gritted teeth. He walks to the door. “Enzo you stay here. I want eyes on Moore. Handle it.”

“Done.”

“And do not let Allegra out of your sight.”

“Wait, Cassian,” I rush to him. “Let me go with you at least.”

He takes my arms. “No. It’s too dangerous. This is the safest place for you. Jet will be here and Enzo.” He turns to Enzo. “You do not let her out of your sight, understand?”

“I won’t.”

I follow Cassian as he gives the order for eight soldiers to get ready. The house is a roar of noise as heavy-booted men walk here and there, readying as if to go to battle and maybe that is where they’re going. Maybe the time to battle has come.

Twenty minutes later, they’re ready to go. As they file out, I take Cassian’s hands. I look up into his eyes and realize this could be the last time we see each other. Realize this is my life. Each time he leaves, it may be the last time.

“Come back to me,” I tell him.

He pulls me to him, one hand at the small of my back, the other cupping my skull and I swear I think I hear him mutter some prayer, strike a bargain with the Almighty. He presses his lips to my forehead.

“I will always come back to you,” he says quietly. “Always.”

And then, he’s gone and somehow, watching that space where he just stood, hearing the car engines start and gravel crunch under tires, I think he won’t. I think maybe he won’t.

My throat closes up. My eyes fill.

I think maybe he won’t come back. Because how many lives has he used up? How many does he have left for me?

31

ALLEGRA

Ifeel claustrophobic in this huge space. I swear I can smell the crypt below. Jet’s been down there for a while. I can only imagine what he’s doing.

Enzo stands nearby, sometimes disappearing into Cassian’s office to give orders and manage soldiers, I suppose, but returning frequently to look in on me as if I might somehow disappear. I keep my phone in my pocket and check it often, but no more text messages have come through from Amal and Cassian hasn’t called.

It’s midnight when I finally can’t take anymore.

“I’m going to get some air,” I tell Enzo. He seems anxious too, looking at his watch often. I don’t think he likes being kept back to babysit any more than I like being babysat.

“You should sleep,” he says.

“I can’t.”

“I’ll come with you then.”