Epilogue II

Ciaran, 16 years later…

“You can’t really expect this to work,” I shake my head, watching the man in front of me appear to crumble under the weight of his decision.

“Believe me, if this wasn’t life or death, you would be the last person I’d call,” Nash’s shoulder’s fall, his hands clasp together, and his head bows. “GO can only do so much. If we’ve been made, then I need him out before they find out who he is.”

“What makes you think they’ve found you?” My voice is hushed and the full impact of the situation sits heavily on my chest.

“It started small. Some of our members were missing, two have now turned up dead. No one knew who they were, or how to find them. They didn’t exist except inside GO.”

“What about his mother?” I question, my eyes touching on the one framed picture of a girl with honey-blonde hair and deep green eyes.

“She went off the grid,” His throat bobs and his eyes meet mine, filled with pain of loss, “She wasn’t ready to be a mom, but I wanted him.”

My gaze flickers over the apartment and I notice that there is barely any furniture, and besides the picture, there are no other additional touches to suggest a family lives here. Nash is already preparing to hide, to leave, in order to save his son. “What about GO? Are you abandoning it all together?”

His eyes lower and his head shakes, “GO will continue. But I need someone I trust to keep my son safe. Rogue is who I trust.”

My chest squeezes, knowing a father’s love and devotion. I would do anything for my children. I would give up my life to protect them if it came to it. My wife would be just as ferocious, if not more, when it came to her kids. My eyes meet Nash’s and he can see my resolve. There are no words. He called for Rogue, and of course I will accept it. “How old is he?”

“Twelve,” Nash replies, the pride he feels is evident in his tone. “I’ll get him.”

Nash leaves the room and returns a minute later, his son a step behind him. The child may be twelve but he looks like a young man. I can already see in his eyes that he’s matured beyond his years. There is a seriousness in him that most twelve year olds don’t have, that comes from trauma. Sucking in a breath I lower my head, ready to remain professional, “You need to tell him. He needs to understand that this is about his safety and that I am not his captor, nor am I, or Rogue, keeping him from you. He can’t come looking for you until he turns eighteen and I can no longer make those rules for him.”

Nash nods his head and turns to his son, kneeling before him. “This is the man I told you about. He and his family are going to keep you safe. I need you to go with him. I can’t leave if you aren’t protected, and if anything happens to you I will never forgive myself.”

“Why can’t I just go with you, dad?” The boy’s voice is firm even though his throat bobs with emotion. I’m impressed with him, and under different circumstances it would have been nice to meet him.

“I’m being hunted. If they find you, they find my weakness.” Nash tells him, showing his vulnerability to his son.

“Will I see you again?”

Nash and I make eye contact, but the words he delivers are meant for his son. I already know the real answer. “When you turn eighteen and graduate high school I’ll look for you. Until then you have to stay with Rogue. I need you to be safe, buddy. I love you.”

The boy’s eyes run all over his father, memorizing him, remembering every detail in order to make the separation bearable. “Okay, dad.”

Nash stands and reaches out to shake my hand. I grasp his hand with my own, and his fingers flex. No father should have to give up their child. I will fight for his son to stay alive just like he is. That is Rogue.

“Let’s go,” I tell the boy and his dark eyes turn to me. His head dips, but he follows as we exit the building and take the service elevator down.

One of the members of my extraction team is waiting at the vehicle and I help the boy in before getting settled. The SUV remains thick with tension and uncertainty while we make our way out of the city and towards the private airfield. I haven’t secured his identity yet so there is no way we could take a regular civilian flight.

He’s quiet when we pull up, but there is zero hesitation in his steps when I usher him into the plane. I don’t think he relaxes until we’re in the air and the pilot has assured us a smooth flight. I send a quick text to Saylor, knowing she is waiting to hear from me.

Me: I have him. Might want to prepare a bed for tonight until I can place him.

Saylor: I’m proud of you. What you did was a good thing.

I smirk at my phone even though she can’t see me. My wife is a softie, and I knew the minute Nash reached out she would want to help. Not because of the history between us all, but because she is truly a mother at heart, and she wouldn’t let a child be in danger. She’s Rogue just as much as I am.

“Did your dad tell you much about Rogue?”

The kid’s dark hair swishes on his head when he shakes it. “No. Just said it’s similar to his company, but larger.”

Larger is an understatement. While GO maintains the eastern seaboard we’ve got the rest of the nation covered. “It is similar. Although your dad specializes in a certain type of case, where Rogue helps people of all genders, ages, and families, in different situations. That’s why it is larger. Though not necessarily better, or worse.”

I spend the rest of the flight preparing him for life when we land. I tell him about Minnesota, about Savage Lakes, and the rules he’ll be expected to follow over the next few years. When we land, the extraction team disperses, and I send an alert to Kai, making him aware I’m ready for updates. His response is instant.

Kai: Safe for travel.

The boy buckles himself in and I start up the engine. “We have about half an hour until we get there. My wife made tacos for tonight, but I can grab you something now if you’re hungry.”

“I can wait. I like tacos,” He agrees before the small smile falls off his lips. “Am I staying with you?”

“For tonight,” I nod my head, “There is a family that is vetted by me who is ready for a new target. It will be more believable for them to have another child as they are new to Minnesota. They previously lived in Michigan.”

“Okay,” He agrees and I swear I see a flash of disappointment in his stare.

“I’m always around. You can talk to me at any time, or let your foster family know you need to talk to me. Remember, you aren’t the only kid here who is in the same situation.” I give him a small smile, “My middle son is a few years older than you and my youngest is almost your age. She’ll be twelve in a few months. You can meet them tonight and they will also be available in school to help with anything you need.”

“Your kids are trained in Rogue?”

“It’s a family business,” I confide in him and feel my lips twist in a smirk.

He’s quiet the rest of the way until we pull into the driveway. His lips part in awe of the house Saylor and I have built. I expected that maybe they might be sleeping by now, but the lights are on in every room. I can only imagine the sight it makes, until my family appears on the porch, waiting for us. “Welcome home, kid.”