Chapter Thirteen

Mila

"I don't think we need to go back for you to enjoy the holiday. It's not like being back will solve their issues," Reed grumbles while setting his suitcase in the back of my truck, the one I recently purchased that can come in handy when we drive back home.

I giggle at the look on Reed's face. "How long has it been since you've been back?"

He won't meet my eyes and the look that slides over his face makes my heart squeeze in my chest.

"That long, huh?" I say the words, my hand reaching to touch the edge of his sleeve.

Reed's shoulders shrug. "Once you decide to leave, you aren't supposed to go back."

"If you aren't working for Rogue, Reed. Not you. Matt would always welcome you back." I wrap my arms around his middle. Reed follows his rules to the point of it hurting himself.

He sighs and his arms wrap around me. "It hasn't been as long as you think, Doll. Remember, I had something very important I was keeping an eye on even after I left."

I glance up, smiling, and my heart flutters in my chest. "My favorite stalker."

His brows furrow. "Your only stalker."

"Of course." I pat his chest and step out of the embrace. "Come on, we have a long drive back."

Reed grumbles again as we get in the truck and get situated. When I told him I planned on going home for the holidays, Reed was understanding. Until I told him he was coming with me. The past week has been a battle. Sometimes he's accepting and other times I can tell Reed gets frustrated because it's against the rules and expectations he believes and that he set for himself. I have to remind him we are Rogue, even if we aren't officially members or targets anymore.

I get behind the wheel, and once we're down the road, I watch as Reed taps on his phone, setting each line of security to our home that he has. Reed doesn't make it until we are out of the state before he's opening his laptop and working. "Are you still looking at that?"

He nods and the frown on his lips isn't one I see very often. "There is definitely something brewing in that area. I have Rogue already watching along the mountains, but this whole north eastern area seems to be in some chaos."

"You think something big is in the works?" I glance at him quickly before looking back at the road.

"I can feel it," he confirms. "Between what you found and the unrest in some of these larger crime families, it spells trouble."

"Have you reached out to New York?"

He smirks and shakes his head. "I'm saving that information for Matt and Ciaran."

My heart tugs at the mention of Ciaran. The last message I got from my mom was concerning. He was hurt in their last mission. Even though he's recovering, it's causing issues between him and my sister. They were already acting weird when they visited us. To go this long with tension doesn't seem right. I know my sister and she has been crazy about Ciaran since we came to Minnesota. He is just as in love with her, if not more. It's concerning that they are experiencing this sort of disconnect where even my mom is worried. That's part of the other reason why I want to be home for the holidays. As much as I love Arizona, my soul will always long for the snow around this time of the year that we get in Minnesota.

"Well, if anything will light a fire under Ciaran, it will be hearing he has to communicate with anyone in New York."

Reed glances over at me, the weight of his stare heavy. "If it comes down to it, I don't think you should go there."

My hands tighten on the wheel while I ignore the way my stomach drops. "Do you think I can't handle it?"

"You could. I just don't think you need to do that to yourself."

"Do you ever go back to where you were found?" I ask, keeping my voice gentle. I don't like bringing up Reed's history. Even though it made him who he is and ultimately brought him to Rogue and me, I hate thinking about the little boy he was in that position.

"I took care of them the minute I could. There isn't anything left there for me to go back to anymore," he responds while reaching over and taking one of my hands in his.

"There isn't anything for me in New York either. My dad is gone. I don't have the blood lust I guess to go after the men who broke in." I glance out the window, hating that tears threaten to edge out of my eyes. Their burn is welcome though because it keeps me in the present.

"They aren't there," Reed replies, his hand tightening on mine.

I exhale, feeling the tension leach out of my muscles. I figured as much, but I didn't do it myself so I wasn't sure. I didn't even know if I could ever find them or what I would actually do if I did. "Thank you."

Reed picks his phone back up and glances over his next project again. Silence settles around us for a few minutes. His voice is so gravelly when he speaks that the hairs on my arms stand up. "I will always keep you safe, Doll. Anyone who touched you doesn't deserve to live."