Page 104 of Shattered By the Currents

His gaze swung around.

Zac?

Another second passed. No one stepped out. Zac would have shown himself by now.

He scanned the trees, but as far as he could see, no one was there.

He shifted to the other side of Gene, covering her before moving again. But he continued to scan their surroundings as he walked, his free hand hovering over his concealed weapon.

They were halfway back to the residence when Zac appeared in the distance. Connor tapped two fingers under his eyes, then fanned his fingers outward with his palm down, a silent signal to his teammate that they may not be alone and to scan for threats.

Zac dipped his chin before disappearing back into the trees.

When Connor reached the gate, he helped Gene through. An employee stood by and locked it immediately after them.

The second they were inside, Craig stood from the couch and rushed over to Gene. “Oh, honey, I was so worried!”

“I know. I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened.”

Connor searched the room before looking at Briar. “Where’s Raven?”

The caregiver’s brows rose. “Oh. She went to get Craig his medication but hasn’t come back. I’ll?—”

“I’ll go.” He was moving before Briar finished speaking.

In the hall, he sidestepped an elderly couple and passed a dozen closed doors.

Her parents’ apartment door was also closed, but one push of the handle and it opened. He stepped inside—and his eyes narrowed at the sight in front of him.

Herbert was holding both of Raven’s arms, and he stood so close there was barely any space between them.

“Herbert?”

The older man spun, releasing one of Raven’s arms but not the other. “Who are you?”

Connor was two for two on not being remembered this morning. “Connor. You know me, Herbert.”

“No. I don’t! Are you one ofthem?”

Connor frowned. “Them?”

“Do you have something to do with Lotus?”

What the fuck was Lotus? “I don’t even know what that is, Herbert.”

“He’s on your side,” Raven said gently.

Herbert looked back at Raven, and for a moment, he just stared at her.

Connor took a few more steps forward. “Have you met Raven?”

“Raven?” Herbert whispered.

“Thisis Raven. She’s with me.”

The elderly man looked back at Connor. Then at Raven. He frowned at her, that same clarity that had glowed in Gene’s eyes, now returning to Herbert. “You’re not….”

She shook her head. “No.”