Siren in the Wind Book One of the MIT Series

Chapter Twenty Four

Eight in the morning saw Abby making Kris breakfast and kicking his smelly ass off the sofa. Max hadn't taken his eyes off surveillance of Muller.

When the ass-hat stirred in the early hours to use the head, Max gathered himself. Leaving the bathroom, Muller turned towards Abby's room instead of walking back down the passage to the sitting room, pausing at her closed door for over a minute. Both men stood immobile in the night. One readying himself to make the biggest mistake of his life and the other readying for retribution. Finally, Kris backed away. Good move, asshole.

Abby walked Muller to the door as Max ate the last of his yogurt.

"I'm sorry, my sweets. Last night shouldn't have gone down like that. I was an idiot," Kris said with a remorseful tone.

"You did act like a bit of an asshole. You cannot drive drunk; you'll endanger others."

"I'm going through a tough time. They all died. Why did I survive?"

"I don't know, but I'm here to help. If you're having a rough day, don't reach for the bottle, just call me. Maybe you need to see a therapist?"

"Maybe. I'll think about it." Kris pulled her in for a rough hug. "Don't disappear on me again, swear that you won't."

Muller held on like a damn limpet.

"Go home and rest. We'll have dinner sometime, I'll call you."

Kris left. Slater followed. Max headed over. Misty rain dampened the air. "Soliloquy to the Frogs" played in the background. Her head rested in her hands. Max used a detector to scan the place for electronic bugs, a standard practice when a new individual entered the space. Finding nothing, Max sat down on the sofa, as close to Abby as he could get, shoulders and thighs touching.

Glancing sideways at him through her fingers, Abby mumbled, "You look like shit."

"Are you okay?"

"Nope." Leaning her head back, Abby sighed.

"This song helps a little? I notice you play it often."

Abby smiled. "It was the only song that Gabe would fall asleep to. His fwoggy song. God, I miss him. It hurts so much at times that I can barely breathe—every day I ache for my baby boy. Then my dearest friend in the world comes over, and I barely recognize him, wanting him gone. I'm a bad mother and an even worse friend."

A tear ran down into her hairline.

"Your situation isn't normal. You're doing your level best to save the people you love. To save your future, short-term sacrifices will be made. You're the bravest person I've ever met."

His heart turned over at her watery smile. "You think I'm brave?"

"As brave as a mountain lion. I also think you're exhausted, so have a nap, then tonight is a Lizzy night."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "What's a Lizzy night?"

"It's when your tiny, happy friend comes over and we watch movies and guzzle popcorn. What's not to love?"

Wiping her tears, Abby stood up and stretched. "Only if you promise to also get some rest. Did you stay up all night?"

"Damn right, protecting you from fiery dragons, and all that." Max headed for the door.

"Watch that rain doesn't rust up your shiny suit of armor," Abby called.

"You're hilarious, Abs," Max called back as she sauntered down the passage.