The Ranger by Brooke Sivendra

Author:Brooke Sivendra [SIVENDRA, BROOKE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brooke Sivendra

24

Deacon

Deacon fought the emotions that had him in an invisible chokehold. It’s time. Time to face the past—and all Deacon wanted to do was run. But as much as he didn’t want to admit it, everything Deacon had used to deal with his pain hadn’t worked. He was in more pain now than he’d ever been in. Because this life, being around James and Mak, and even more so Marianne and Kaela, was a reminder of everything he’d had, wanted, and lost.

Deacon focused on the taste of his ice cream. On the incessant but cute chatter that flowed from Kaela’s mouth without a break. He focused on anything except what he was about to do.

The jet was booked, and in two hours they were leaving for Berlin.

He’d tried to mentally prepare himself for this moment since the discussion in Samuel’s office, but he was still fighting to control his mind.

The container of ice cream made its way back to him, and he looked over the table, but everyone shook their heads.

He took the container and put it back in the freezer, grateful for the distraction. He took a moment to lean against the counter, resting his hands on the bench, trying to get some air into his lungs.

You can do this.

You have to do this.

He exhaled as his body trembled.

He heard Marianne’s voice from the dining room. “Can I make anyone tea or coffee?”

“If I eat another thing I’m going to explode,” Mak replied.

Deacon lingered, hoping James was going to make an excuse to get them out of there. Right now, Deacon needed to be alone.

“We should be going, actually. Deacon and I have a teleconference we need to call in for,” James said, and Deacon wanted to hug him.

Deacon took one more long, slow breath then returned to the table where everyone was cleaning up. He picked up a stack of plates and carried them to the kitchen, rinsing them and loading them into the dishwasher. The mundane task eased his mind, and his chest relaxed. He could breathe again. The dishes kept arriving and Deacon remained at his post. He’d worked in a restaurant when he was in school, doing this exact same thing. He’d lied about his age and started working when he was twelve years old to help his mom pay the bills. It felt like a lifetime ago.

“Good job,” Cami said, patting his shoulder.

He turned around and whipped her with the tea towel that had been draped over his shoulder.

“Ouch!” She jumped back.

“Too slow,” he said. “You’re spending too much time with Mak and not enough in training.”

“You’re going to pay for that, Deacon Thomas,” she said with a wicked grin.

“Show me how to do that!” Kaela said as she came running in.

Oh, no. He looked past her, seeing Marianne.

“Our guests have to go now,” Marianne said with a hint of a smile.

Deacon knelt down to give Kaela a hug goodbye. Marianne was next in line. He leaned in to kiss her goodbye, subconsciously holding his breath.

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