He looked relieved to hear that.
“Just keep your distance. You’ve already hurt her enough for one lifetime.”
“And who’s fault is that? I told you I loved her, and you turned your back on me, Killian. And then from what I heard you never even had the balls to tell her why I left.”
His jaw set in a hard line. I knew that stubborn pride all too well. There was nothing I could say that would penetrate that thick skull of his.
I shook my head. “Relax, we’re leaving as soon as the pilot gives us the go ahead.”
He seemed surprised by that. I couldn’t imagine he thought I’d actually be staying.
“You haven’t heard? Your plane took damage in the storm last night. You’re not going anywhere until it’s safe to fly that tin can. Don’t even know how you stand to fly in that thing anyway.”
I shrugged. “You get used to it.”
“I never could.”
“Well, I have had to learn to deal with it. You do what you have to do to survive.”
He nodded and then walked away.
I missed my friend. That was a hard pill to swallow, but the truth. I was happy to see him, as screwed up as that was. It hurt that there wasn’t even some miniscule part of him that felt the same for me.
I sat down on one of the couches in the lobby just trying to regroup. It had already been a hell of a morning. I hoped he was wrong about the plane. I really needed to get as far away from this place as possible and soon.
The door opened again. I was too lost in my thoughts to even notice.
“Hi. Are you Baine?”
I looked up to find the little girl that had been with Killian only the day before. I’d thought she was his daughter, but according to Felix she was Olivia’s kid.
“Yeah.”
“I thought so.” She sighed and sat down next to me.
“I’m not sure Killian would be very happy that you’re here talking to me.”
“I know. That’s why I waited until he was good and gone first.”
“Shouldn’t you be in school or something, kid?”
I could tell by the look on her face that I was right.
“Yeah. I told the nurse I wasn’t feeling well and that Uncle Killian was going to pick me up and take me home. She said I could wait outside for him.”
“And then you came here instead?”
“Yup.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. She was very frank. I liked that.
“You thought Uncle Killian was my father, didn’t you?”
“At first. Felix told me you’re Olivia’s daughter.”
“Yup, that’s my mom.”
“You’re Uncle Killian isn’t exactly happy I’m back. It’s probably best you run off. Nothing good will come of him finding you here.”
She sighed. “I know. He really hates you, but he’s feeling guilty too for what he did.”
“He told you that?” I highly doubted Killian opened up to his pintsized niece about me.
“No, but grownups aren’t very observant. See, Mom set up a playroom for me in the back of her store. Her office is back there too.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Be patient. I’m getting there. Can’t a girl tell a story?”
I snorted. “Yeah, whatever.”
She was a chatty little thing that was certain. I’m not sure I’d ever met a kid that talked so much.
“So, like I was saying, I have a playroom back there and when I’m sitting there playing with my toys, the adults talk, a lot.”
“You talk a lot.” She glared at me and the look reminded me so much of Olivia that I couldn’t help but smile. “Go on.”
“I hear things. Things I’m not supposed to hear. The sort of things that they don’t want me to hear but they forget I’m right there.”
“Oh yeah. So you’re like a super good spy? I’ll introduce you to Taylor when she gets back. Who knows, in around fifteen to twenty years maybe you can take her place on the team.”
She gave me the look again.
“What? She’s a great spy too.”
“What exactly is it that you do?”
“I blow shit up, uh, I mean I blow things up.”
“Cool. Can I see?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“Because your mother would likely kill me.”
“Maybe someday you’ll show me?” she asked hopefully.
“Kid, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’m only here until our plane is fixed and then I’m gone, and this time, I’m really not coming back again.”
“Oh.” She looked sad and a tear ran down her cheek.
“Nope, none of that. I don’t handle tears very well.”
She sniffed. “Sorry. I just thought maybe you were here to stay, for at least a while. I thought you might at least visit me.”
I snorted. “Kid, I highly doubt your mom and dad would be okay with that. I know for certain your uncle wouldn’t.”
“It’s just me and my mom.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. Where’s your dad?”
“I’m looking at him.”
Time stood still and I was pretty sure my heart stuttered.
“Woah, woah, woah. Who told you that? I don’t have a kid. I can’t be your father. I haven’t seen your mom in the last eight years. You’re probably too young for sex ed, but trust me when I say, that’s impossible. You’re only what, five? Six?”
She frowned. “I’m seven. I’m just really small for my age.”
My brain was already calculating the possibility.
“When’s your birthday?”
“January 3rd.”
I calculated it back. I left that June. My face drained of all color. That meant Olivia was already two months pregnant. I started hyperventilating.
“Just breathe, Baine. Don’t make me run and get help,” she threatened. “You’re going to get us both in trouble.”
The door opened again. I was vaguely aware of it this time.
“What happened?” Grant asked as he ran to my side. “Breathe, Baine.”
“That’s what I told him,” the kid said shaking her head in disappointment at me.
“I’m okay. I think.”
“What happened?” he asked.
I stood up grateful when I didn’t wobble. I was pretty certain I was going into shock. I picked the kid up from behind and held her out in front of Grant.
“Tell me the truth, does she look like me?”
“What’s this all about, Baine?”
“What’s your name sweetie?” Taylor asked her.
“Macie Laine Murphy.”
“Well hello Macie Laine Murphy. I’m Taylor.”
“Are you really a spy?”
“He told you that?”
She nodded.
“Yeah, I am.”
“Cool. Baine blows shit up.”
“Stuff, kid. I blow stuff up.”
She giggled. “What do you do?” she asked Grant.
“Field medic.”
“What’s that?”
“He’s sort of our doctor,” Taylor said.