Shay Savage - Otherwise Unharmed

Nothing would stop me from taking her far away from all of this.

Lia wasn’t happy about it, but I insisted she stay at Rinaldo’s southern house while I bought replacement items for the things that were destroyed when Davies wrecked the apartment. I also had a few other things I wanted to get done before we left, and I couldn’t do all of those things with her in tow.

I also needed a little time to myself.

I kicked at the curb as I loitered and wished I had put on a warmer jacket. It was only late October, but the wind from the lake was chilling. After a few minutes of waiting, I looked up to see Mark Duncan as he was coming out of his office. With a shout and a wave, I flagged him down before he could get to his Land Rover.

“Hey, Mark!”

“Evan?” He stepped away from the vehicle and walked over to me on the sidewalk near the office building. “What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to tell you I was leaving town,” I said. I shoved my hands into my pockets to provide a little warmth.

Mark snorted out a sharp laugh through his nose.

“Now you decide to tell me something?” His shoulders rose and fell with his breath, which froze into vapor as it came out of his mouth. “Where are you going?”

I reached up and scratched at the back of my head. I needed another haircut.

“Not sure exactly,” I said. I really did have a place in mind, but I hadn’t even told Lia where it was yet. I wasn’t sure how thrilled she was going to be with the location, but we could always move somewhere else later.

“So what made you stop here?”

I looked into his eyes and saw nothing but what had always been there—genuine concern for me. It felt odd to recognize it for what it was, but I knew it had always been there from the beginning. Maybe I could see it now because of Lia and her influence over me. I didn’t know for sure; I only knew she made me see things differently—clearer and with a mindset more toward what I could be, not what I have been.

“Well, I thought you might like to know I don’t think I’ll be seeing that kid anymore,” I said. “You know—the one with the bombs strapped to him.”

“I remember.”

“Yeah, I think he’s gone.”

“Why do you think that?” Mark asked.

“Because now I know why I kept seeing him.”

“How did you figure that out?” Mark asked as he appraised me.

“He told me,” I said with a shrug. He raised an eyebrow, and I snickered. “I guess I told myself. Anyway, it’s kind of why I’m leaving. Well, partially.”

“Are you taking Lia with you?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

“I can only hope this is a good move for you, Evan. Let me know where you end up, and I’ll recommend someone to continue your treatment.”

“Sure,” I said. I looked into his eyes, and we both knew I wasn’t going to do it.

“Are you going to be all right?” he asked.

“I’ll manage,” I said. “Thanks for trying to help me.”

Mark reached out his hand, and I shook it.

“Good luck, Evan.” His tongue darted out over his lips. “If you do ever need anything, let me know, okay?”

“I can do that,” I said with a nod.

We parted.

I finished my shopping and then joined Rinaldo at his office. He shooed Nick out of the room so we could talk privately.

“There’s only one real kind of retirement in this business,” Rinaldo said flatly as soon as we were alone.

I stiffened in the chair across from him.

“So we’re going to say you’re on sabbatical, got it?”

I took a calming breath.

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

“You saved my daughter,” he said. “You’ve saved me a number of times. I owe you a little something, but don’t ever forget I may need something from you one day in the future. I’ll respect what you need, but that doesn’t mean we’re parting ways forever, capisce?”

“Capisce.”

“I made sure the contracts were removed from both of you,” Rinaldo said. “That should keep anyone from following you. I also had Lia contact the police in Phoenix and resolve the missing person’s report her ex filed on her. She talked to her mother as well.”

I’d forgotten all about that.

“Thank you, sir.”

“In case you were wondering, all the charges against you have been resolved. You’re on probation, but don’t worry about checking in—Jonathan is covering all that for you.”

I blinked a couple of times.

“Seriously?”

“Apparently, he’s got an app for that.”

I laughed.

“Your mental state coupled with the extensive treatment you are currently undergoing is enough for the state.” Rinaldo smiled. “Everything else has been wiped clean.”

“Damn,” I muttered. “That’s pretty good work.”

“If you would have talked to me in the first place, maybe it would have happened a little sooner.”

I glanced down at my hands and swallowed hard.

“You made some bad choices, Arden,” he informed me.

I looked down, the scolding leaving me feeling genuinely contrite for once.

“If you get yourself in a bind, you fucking talk to me about it. We could have figured this one out together, and maybe we wouldn’t have the fucking disaster we have now.”

“I know, sir.”

“That said, I’m not holding you accountable. I know what you’ve been through, and I appreciate that. You’ve always been of great service to me and my family. I can’t discount that, even if you did demonstrate shit judgment on your part.”

“Yes, sir.” I took a breath and looked up at him. His expression softened.

“If you ever need anything from me in the future, you just let me know.” Rinaldo leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms as I nodded. “And let’s not make it putting you down, all right?”

I smiled.

“Yes, sir.”

“You and Lia going to leave right away?”

“As soon as I’m done with a few errands, yes.”

“Do you know where you’re going?”

I shrugged noncommittally.

“Not saying?”

“I’d prefer to keep it to myself, sir. If someone decides to look for me, I’d rather no one in your org know my location.”

Rinaldo nodded.

“We’re going to be busy with all of this. Even with the Russians mostly out of the picture, we’ve still got Greco to deal with. Once we’re reorganized, he’s going to have to pay for everything he’s done to this outfit and my family.”

“I’m sure he will, sir.”

“If I get wind that he’s looking for you out of town, I’ll let you know through your email.”

“I’ll keep an eye on it,” I promised.

Rinaldo stood, and I copied his movement. I thought he would reach out and shake my hand, but he came around the desk and hugged me instead. I returned the gesture a little awkwardly at first but then with tightened arms around his shoulders. We parted, and I took a slight step back.

“I’ve got your back,” Rinaldo said. “I hope you decide to stay in touch.”

“Maybe eventually,” I said. “I’ve got to try and figure out this whole real life thing, you know?”

“All of this hasn’t been real enough for you?” He waved his hands around the office and smiled.

“Nah.” I shook my head. “I think I slept through most of it.”

Rinaldo laughed.

“I hope you will rest easy now.”

“With Lia, yeah,” I said, “I think I will, sir.”

“Take care, son.”

My heart raced as I looked at him, nodded slowly, and turned to leave before I decided to change my mind. I made my way down the back steps without looking back.

It felt strange to walk out of his office with no intention of returning. I knew there would always be the possibility of him calling in a favor—and I would probably do whatever he asked—but for now, he would leave me in peace.