After Shock (#2 - Semper Fi Series)

Heaven's Role

“The case wrapped up nicely, I’d say.” Amanda looked at Paul as they packed the car and readied to leave for the airport. “I’m glad no one was seriously injured. I’m glad you’re okay.”

Amanda tried to hide her disappointment at not being able to return to Washington D.C. with Paul. They would fly with Alyssa and Ryan back to Kansas City, and stay in Kansas for a few days, but then Amanda had to get back to work. Her face showed her sadness over not being able to have any more time alone with Paul. She needed so much to be able to tell him about the changes that happened in her while he was in the hospital.

“Ready?” Paul asked, a little too chipper for Amanda’s tastes.

“Not really. I...never mind.” She sat in the front seat, turned towards the outside window and tried her best not to let her emotions take over. She couldn’t say or do what she needed to with Ryan and Alyssa in the back, and Paul seemed oddly cool and distant toward her at that particular moment.

Paul started the car and headed towards the freeway. He felt as upset as Amanda did about not being able to talk. There’d be time, just not anytime soon. He had a full load on his desk, and knew that her few days away would probably provide a large amount of work at the Sheriff’s Department.

He reached for her hand but found it to be resting on her forehead. A quick glance confirmed his suspicions: she was trying to hold everything in and basically pretending she was fine. He settled for her shoulder. At first she seemed to be comforted and then she tensed up. “Hey, what’s going on?” He asked, not expecting a response. A quick view in the mirror showed a sleeping Ryan, and Alyssa was on the phone.

Amanda broke into his musings, but her words didn’t really tell him much more than he already knew. “I’m just ready to get home and get back to the norms, you know? This was an unusual case. A person doesn’t usually give up their target that easily. I pray there will be healing for that whole family. Where were the men when these women were treating their kids so badly? Doesn’t that seem strange? I don’t know. I’m baffled by all of it. Something’s off, but I can’t pinpoint what exactly.” She said in a hushed tone, so as not to alert the other two. “I have a feeling it isn’t.” She couldn’t say more. Normally, when she had a bad feeling, she was right on, but in order to keep the peace, she kept quiet.

Paul’s hand resting on her cheek gave some solace. Amanda suddenly felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. She wanted to say so many things to him, but in the car wasn’t the place. She looked at him and started crying again. He really had her heart, and didn’t know if they’d ever be able to be together.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. The hour seemed to fly and drag all together. They arrived and pulled into the rental place.

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They thought it was over, but Rob knew it was part of the plan. Alyssa had to travel back to Kansas to get her kids in order for this to work completely. He knew who was where and what had to happen next. Millie being in jail worked the plan perfectly. Even the protectors went back to their normal lives. He didn’t mind being the henchman for her, even if she was behind bars. He let out a sinister laugh and started his car.

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Alyssa strapped into her seat and waited for take-off. She’d never actually been on an airplane before. Nervous did not describe her anxiety. She preferred cars and loved the land and the views that accompanied a car trip. This time she didn’t have the luxury of driving from California to Kansas.

Amanda sat next to her, and the men were further up a few rows. They would try to switch once the plane took off, Alyssa decided. She wanted Amanda and Paul to be together. They needed the time and they were good for one another.