Page 48 of This Blood that Bonds Us

It was a worrying step in what was likely a good direction. It was better than nothing.

I turned to my brother. “You’re sure you don’t want to come?”

“No way. Send me a postcard from your jail cell though. If you want me to be able to find you, be sure to leave me some clues, and they better be really good if you want me to find you.”

His confidence in me was slightly insulting but warranted. I’d never given him a reason to believe I was capable of taking the lead, but this was my chance to start, and I was ready for the challenge.

Nineteen

Kimberly

We pulled into the plowed hospital parking lot. Plenty of cars and witnesses around and the daylight helped. None of the cars seemed familiar, but I wasn’t sure Kilian even owned the cars they’d spent all that time shuffling us around in. Once I had thatthought, I’d spiraled the entire drive with a list of all we never knew about The Legion. Everything could have been a lie. Kilian could be about to take us in a few minutes, and my entire plan could be our downfall.

Aaron squeezed my hand that was gripped, white-knuckled, around the gear shift.

“This is a good plan.” He said it like he could read my mind.

“One of us needs to be bait,” I said while watching someone wheel an older man through the emergency entrance. I wasn’t sure if it was a good plan, but it was the only one that made sense.

Aaron zipped his jacket. “That’s my cue.”

“Be careful.”

He kissed my cheek before I could sigh or frown. “I’ll signal if it’s safe to come out.”

I was still weak from the blood loss, making the whole thing a colossal risk.

Aaron stepped out and walked into an empty lot with his large jacket puffed around his ears. The hairs on my arms stood as I gripped the steering wheel. I’d fight if it came to it. I would let no one take him.

“What’s our signal?” I asked.

“Pineapple?” He smiled.

I nodded, and he sauntered into the parking lot with his hands in his pockets. Then I readied myself for whatever was about to happen. At the top of my list was hitting Kilian with my car. I wasn’t sure how that would work, but it would at least hurt him.

There was nothing at first. Just Aaron standing in an open lot while regular people went on with their regular lives to and from the hospital. The sun reflected off the roofs of cars and hospital windows, and I fumbled for my sunglasses. If only it were enough to melt the snow.

Aaron walked in a circle, carefully scanning the lot. There weren’t any identifying cars or people till a car door opened close by. I couldn’t see it, but I heard it behind another car. All my muscles tightened.

Kilian emerged. He was bundled up in a long thick wool jacket and slacks. His hair was cropped and less put together than I’d seen him previously. There was no smile on his face or indication he was there in peace.

Aaron said nothing, only squared his shoulders and faced him head-on. I focused all my attention on the sound of his heartbeat and the crunch of his shoes on the snow.

It was good practice to tune out the cars and the hospital, which was buzzing with sounds.

“You wanted us to find you.” Kilian’s voice was like molasses.

“Yeah. Not that I know if I can trust you or not,” Aaron said. “Do you know where my brothers are?”

“I have information about their whereabouts, but we have many things to discuss.”

“The only thing I want to talk about is where they are.”

“We can talk about your brothers. Preferably at a different location.”

“Why would I do that? I have no reason to trust you.”

I let out another breath and willed myself to stay seated. There could be others lying in wait in other cars. I scanned the lot again. Nothing, but it was hard to trust my new senses.