Sleeping With the Enemy

Chapter Thirty Six

Sadie meets my eyes from across the park and smiles gently, holding on to her steaming cup of coffee and making small talk with a few guests-- her eyes are red and bloodshot and she looks completely exhausted. It's been a long few days.

We just got through Adam's fake funeral, the one we arranged to convince everyone that he's actually dead, and even though it isn't real, it was taxing on everyone. This was really close to being our reality and it stings. Sadie did well. She's a brilliant actress, and there isn't even an inkling of an idea that Adam is still alive. I beam with pride, knowing I made the right choice to bring her in on this. If it had failed, I would have had to answer to my father, but even he's acknowledging that I was right and he was wrong.

Herrera is still on the force, but it won't be lost until he loses that gig because of the shooting. People care a hell of a lot more when you're going after an FBI agent than when you're just going after a regular person and if he's off the force, it's better for us.

Sadie excuses herself from the circle of people and walks down toward the ocean when I glance back her way. The last few days we've been stuck in a stand still. She's upset. Hurt and grieving and all over the place with her emotions, and I did my best to let her be. I answered her questions when she came to me, but I know Sadie, and most of the time, all she needs is a little space to adjust. I hope that will be the case this time, but I've been on my toes since the shooting.

What makes matters even worse is that Sadie can't see Adam. He's improving, but slowly. It's way too risky, and only a handful of us know where he's being treated. If it gets out, even by some accident, we'll all be in danger. It's one of my father's conditions I agreed with, and I know it's necessary. Sadie, on the other hand, is not happy about it. She doesn't like relying on updates through third hand information and wants to be there with Adam through his recovery. I wish that was possible, but it's non-negotiable. I'll never compromise when it comes to her safety.

I give Sadie a few minutes at the water's edge before following.

The grass is still slightly wet with the morning dew and I walk slowly down the hill, careful not to fall. How Sadie did this in heels is a damn near mystery. In all of my struggling, she turns over her shoulder, and gives me a small smile.

"Yeah, laugh all you want. If I go down, I'm taking you with me."

"Sideways." She giggles, making my eyes light up. She's hardly smiled in days and it's so good to see.

"Sideways?" What the hell is she talking about?

"If you go down the hill sideways, you won't slip as much. It gives you better balance." She says matter-of-factly. I stare back at her suspiciously, but follow her suggestion. Sure enough, I cruise down the rest of the hill without even a slip.

"Wow." I'm impressed. "Where did you learn that?"

She shrug. "I took a few cliff rock climbing classes in Colorado. Sometimes you'd have to go the down the cliffs a little bit before you could find a spot to tie up to."