All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Thirty-Six

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

McKenna leaned back against the island, her cell phone just barely in her grasp. “What?”

Cynthia nodded. “I got the call last night. From Blossom, who was in D.C. with Steve. And now, no one is answering. Not my father, not Steve, not Maria. Everyone is off the grid.”

Loki got up to make himself a fresh cup of coffee. “I’m not exactly certain what help I can offer. I’m usually the last one S.H.I.E.L.D. calls for anything.”

“I know, but you and Thor and Tony are the only ones I could think of, and Tony is incommunicado.” Cynthia rubbed her eyes with one shaky hand. “And I don’t know if that’s by his choosing or not.”

McKenna stepped up behind Loki, her empty hand coming to rest on his shoulder, while she reached out with the other to pass her iPhone to Cynthia. “Try calling Bruce.”

Cynthia let out a shuddery sigh, but took the phone. “Thank you.”

McKenna smiled. “Don’t mention it.” She gave Loki's shoulder a slight squeeze, the coolness of his body rising into her hand. The look of sheer worry lining Cynthia's face was enough to make her want to hug the agent. She couldn’t imagine being separated from Loki and their children and not knowing where they were or even if they were safe.

She must have squeezed Loki's shoulder, for his hand came up to cover hers and his fingers tightened about hers. “I’m still here.”

Cynthia rose from her chair and walked from the kitchen to the laundry room, where she closed the door by. Selig looked from Loki to McKenna. “What’s wrong with Miss Cynthia?”

“Nothing is wrong, sweetie. She’s just worried about Dr. Banner and Marie. That’s all.”

“But why?”

“Because that’s what mommies do,” she said, giving Loki's shoulder another squeeze.

“Why don’t you go up and get dressed, Selig?” Loki said, glancing up at her as he spoke.

“Okay.” Selig slid down from his chair and left the kitchen, while Aislinn continued to amuse herself in her chair.

“Loki—”

He leaned back in his chair and gazed up at her. “You should take the children to Asgard and wait there, love.”

“Why? I’m neither S.H.I.E.L.D. nor one of the Avengers. Whatever H.Y.D.R.A. is, they won’t be the least bit interested in me.”

“No, but I’m certain they’ve heard of me and Thor and I will not take any chances where you and the children are concerned.” His chair scraped the tile as he pushed it back to stand, and he turned to catch her by the shoulders. “Don’t fight me on this, McKenna.”

“I’m not fighting you on anything. But let’s just see what Cynthia has to say.”

“McKenna—”

“Loki, I don’t want to spend the next month or whatever worrying about you again. I also don’t want to run away from my home, when chances are, no one is going to bother us. Why would they? I’m nothing to them.”

He caught her face in his hands. “And if you are wrong?”

“Let’s just see, okay?”

With that, the laundry room door opened and Cynthia came out, not looking any happier. “He’s fine, in an undisclosed location.”

McKenna sighed as Loki swept his thumbs over her cheeks, then let his hands fall away as he turned to Cynthia. “And what next?”

“I hate to ask this of you, Loki,” she glanced from McKenna to Loki and back, “but could you get Thor? I’m going to keep trying Steve and Maria, see if I can find out where they are and what’s happened.”