Chapter 22: "All Bark, No Bite"

"Oh, wow," Mallory said, stunned after we filled her in on what had happened this morning. "Bruno Sharma? Isn't that the name of the Father of the first job you got after what happened between you and… You-Know-Who?" Mallory asked with a soft voice. Almost in a whisper. I nodded at her.

"Okay, well, it's getting late, and your destination is still hours away. Why don't you guys crash at my place tonight?"

"You don't have to, Mal," I said immediately. Mallory grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers.

Her onyx eyes found mine. "I insist. Sage, you need to get some sleep. I know you don't sleep much, if at all. You're tiring yourself out. Stay the night. You need a cheat day. Especially today. And for the day after tomorrow." Her voice kept getting softer until she ended in nothing more than a whisper. I doubted that the guys heard her. A sharp pain shot through my heart. Tears formed in my eyes, but I blinked them away. 'Thank you,' I mouthed at her.