Page 180 of Override

"A team retreat."

"I will shoot you."

"You always say that, but here I stand."

"Unfortunately."

I round the corner into the kitchen.

Maeve is sitting on one of the stools at the island, her elbows resting against the counter while she watches Bullet and Wheels argue over what appears to be the ownership rights of Bullet's house.

She's fine. My eyes move over her anyway. Feet. Legs. Arms. Shoulder. Neck. Face. No injuries. No fear.

Her hair is slightly tangled from running through the dark, and there are still faint traces of dried tears beneath her eyes, but she's safe.

I don't realize I've stopped walking until her eyes find mine. She smiles.

There it is. That strange shift in my chest again. I'm beginning to think I should see a cardiologist.

"Hey," she says softly.

"Hey."

Wheels turns toward me. "Oh, good. You're alive."

I ignore him.

Maeve's gaze moves toward the doorway behind me. "How bad was it?"

"Unproductive."

Wheels snorts. "Translation: Badger yelled at him and Skee pretended to listen."

"I listened."

"Did you?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

I look at Wheels. He grins. I don't like that this is becoming a recurring question tonight.

Bullet opens the refrigerator and pulls out a bottle of water. "Did Matt kill you?"

"No."

"Disappointing."

Maeve laughs quietly. My attention immediately shifts back to her. Still smiling. Good.

I look around the kitchen. Bullet is drinking my water. Technically his water, but that's irrelevant. Wheels has apparently made himself a sandwich despite being threatened with violence less than two minutes ago.

Rachel and Matt are walking back toward the house.

Maeve is safe. The situation is handled. Perfect. I clap my hands together once. "Okay." Everyone looks at me. "You came. Matt yelled at me. Maeve is fine." I gesture toward the front of the house. "You can all go now."

Silence. Wheels slowly lowers his sandwich. Bullet stares at me. Maeve's lips twitch.