“Savannah?” Sue asks, puzzled. She has a right to be. I haven’t spoken to her in over a week, and no doubt she’s heard about my blow-up with Cole. I’m not trying to be distant with her; I just find it easier to pull away from everyone at the house altogether.
“Hi, Sue. Did I wake you?”
She gives a little laugh. “No, I’ve been up for some time. You know how I love the mornings.” She pauses. “Is everything all right, dear?”
No. “Yes, I’m…” Lost, tired, scared about my trip. “I just wanted to see how you are.”
“I'm fine. I've just been battling the snow like everyone this winter. How are you holding up?”
“Fine,” I answer too quickly.
I hear her seat creak. “Okay, so we played the pleasant, do you want to tell me why you’re really calling?”
“I’m scared,” I confess.
“About? Your trip?”
I close my eyes. Of course she knows about Washington. “Yes, and then some.”
“The trip, I understand. I would be too. That’s perfectly normal.” She pauses. “What else are you afraid of, Savannah?”
I reach for my necklace and clasp the snowflake pendant. My throat tightens with thoughts of Cole, but no words come out because I don’t even know where to start.
“Savi, when you get back, I want you to come to Shadows and spend Saturday afternoon and evening with us. It’s been too long since you’ve been home, and everyone misses you. I understand you need your space, but it’s not healthy for you to isolate yourself from everyone who loves you.” Home. The word drips with emotion. I miss everyone terribly. How can I say no to Sue?
“All right,” I whisper in fear my voice will break. I look up and see Keith speaking with the security guard. He’s eyeing me as I say goodbye to Sue.
Chapter Three
“You ready?” Keith asks, reaching for the handle of my suitcase. I follow him out into the morning frost. It’s still dark, making everything seem that much colder. The SUV is still warm, and we drive in silence all the way to the airport. It saddens me that Keith is pulling away, but can I blame him? It’s what I told Cole I needed. Isn’t it what I want, the chance to find myself? I can’t do it if I have Keith taking care of me every day. So I keep my mouth shut, face forward, and try to push back the sneaking fear that’s dancing along my spine.
The airport is quiet, with hardly anyone around. Keith hands me my ticket as someone approaches us. I watch as Keith holds out his hand and gives the man a firm handshake.
“Savannah, this is Agent Hahn. He’s on Frank’s detail. He’ll be traveling with you to Washington and making sure you are well briefed before the testimony.” I nearly fall over right there. Keith isn’t coming; he won’t be my rock as I go through all of this. “You’ll be fine, and I’ll be here to pick you up when you return.” My heart slams into my stomach, looking for a way out.
I’m mute. All I can do is give a slight nod and follow Agent Hahn to the gate, where we walk out to the tiny plane and board. The plane that will drop me off at the feet of my worst nightmare.
As soon as we are in the air, I mentally check out.
***
Cole
Cole listens to his father brief him and his team about a target who needs to be extracted from Mexico City. They are possibly holding a child for ransom, and the parents happen to be the owner of the Garrisons’ Casinos, one of the biggest casino companies worldwide and known to have a shady side. They’ve been asked to check it out and see what they can come up with.
Keith knocks and steps inside the door, halting the conversation. “Savi is on the plane. She should be there within the hour.”
Mark’s jaw drops as he shifts in his seat. “You didn’t go with her?” Keith shakes his head, and Mark turns to look at Cole. “Why didn’t he go?”
“We have to work,” Cole mutters, picking up a file, but apparently Mark has more to say.
“Ummm, what?” Mark pushes himself out of his chair and stares at them. “You mean Savi is on that plane by herself?”
“Let it go,” Daniel warns.
“No! Someone should be with her. She’s facing The American and Lynn! Cole, you should be there, not hiding behind your desk.”
Cole drops the thick folder, making John jump. “You don’t think I want to be there, Mark? You don’t think it’s turning me inside out that my girl is a state away and only an arm’s length from the people who tried to kill her? I was ordered to stay behind and do my job. I was ordered to leave for Mexico when all I want to do is be in that courtroom with her. I’m not hiding. I’m following orders since I didn’t last time. I have to, for the sake of everyone, especially for the sake of Shadows’ reputation.” His anger is seeping out of him as he looks at Mark, who has backed off and is nodding. He gets it now.