The Guardian

by Donna Grant

  The Saints would be monitoring them for just such a communication. Maks couldn’t do that to them or to Eden. The only thing he could do was hold out hope and focus all his attention on what they had.

  The nights, however, were the best. He got to hold Eden in his arms. Sometimes, they talked. Other times, they just held each other. Whether it was before they fell asleep or first thing in the morning, they always turned to each other and made love. Each time bringing him closer and closer to her so that he could no longer deny that he loved her.

  Eden was the love of his life, the one he’d never thought to find. He’d accepted his Fate, which was what made it all the sweeter that they were together now.

  He also accepted that this might be the only time they had together. The knowledge was a bitter pill to swallow, but if it meant Eden, his family and friends, and the rest of the world could go on in safety, then it was worth it.

  A new dawn was breaking. Their fifth day in the city. He would need to go out for food later. It was becoming scarcer with people hoarding as well as those too sick to deliver food to those who weren’t. If something didn’t stop the Saints and this virus soon, then…

  He couldn’t even complete the thought. Maks released a long breath and turned his head toward Eden’s to inhale the coconut smell of her shampoo. It made him smile, thinking about how she wanted to go to a beach. He really wanted to take her. He prayed that he got to do that and so much more. She deserved it.

  Her head shifted as she stretched and looked at him. She smiled sleepily. “You’re frowning.”

  “Am I?” He immediately smoothed out his brow.

  “Mm-hmm. That means you were thinking about everything again. I thought this was the one place we agreed not to think about the Saints or the virus.”

  He grinned and gave her a soft kiss. “You’re right. Sorry.”

  Her lips twisted. “No apology necessary. I do it, as well. We can’t help it.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Just tired, but that’s from working such long hours. You’re the one getting out. How are you?”

  He shrugged as he took stock of his body. “I’m fine.”

  Eden sat up and shoved her blond locks away from her face. “How much longer do you think we can stay here?”

  “We aren’t going anywhere until we get through everything. How much more do we have?”

  “I don’t think there’s much. What’s going to take time is putting it all together. With your help, I’ve been able to do a lot of research as we went through the files. Once we complete that, then it’s just a matter of sorting through it all and putting it in order. There might also be more research involved, but it shouldn’t be anywhere near what I’ve already done.”

  Maks ran his hand up and down her bare back. “Want some breakfast? I think there’s still a little bit of sausage left.”

  “I can wait for lunch for that. I’ll go with my usual.”

  He chuckled. “You mean coffee and toast.”

  “Yep,” she replied with a smile and got out of bed.

  She sauntered into the bathroom, glancing over her shoulder at him. He stayed in bed until she turned on the shower. Then he rose to dress and make his way downstairs to start the coffee. As he was leaving the room, he saw his jacket had fallen. Maks picked it up to put it back on the chair, and the burner phone he’d gotten fell out.

  He powered it on, thinking of the Loughmans. That’s when he saw the numerous calls that had tried to come through. He recognized the number and immediately called Callie.

  “About damn time,” she answered testily. “Now, tell me you’re okay.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m good. Eden’s good. We’re holed up in a house in Romania. How are all of you?”

  “So far, so good.” Callie sighed. “Maks, this virus was the Saints.”

  “Yeah, we figured that out for ourselves. I don’t know how the States are, but I can tell you that things here are grim.”

  “Maks, its Wyatt,” the eldest Loughman brother said as he joined the conversation. “Do you think you and Eden can get home?”

  Maks glanced into the bathroom. “There’s nothing we’d like more, but I don’t think that’s possible. The trains haven’t run in days, and I hear getting on flights is damn near impossible. There is also talk that they’re going to shut down the borders soon to try and contain whatever the hell this thing is.”

  “It’s a strain of the flu,” Callie said. “One that has a lot of other really horrible things in it. At least, that’s what some of the private messages from the CDC to the Department of Justice are saying.”

  Maks ran his hand down his face. “Is there any hope for a vaccine?”

  “Not yet,” Wyatt answered.

  Callie snorted. “Everyone is just trying to keep it contained. Have you seen the death totals?”

  “Not as of this morning. We just woke up. I’ve been helping Eden translate the pages of intel I stole from the Saints in the hopes that there’s something in there we can use to bring them down.”

  “Anything we can help with?” Callie offered.

  Wyatt immediately said, “We’ve got extra hands here. Send over anything you think we can assist with.”

  “Thanks for the offer. We might. We’ve been limiting our time on the internet for fear that they’re monitoring things.”

  Callie snorted louder this time. “Of course, they’re monitoring it. But you’re right, if you send over a huge batch of data, that will raise some flags.”

  “Let me talk to Eden. There might be something we can send over. She wants to get through all the files first. She’s making a wall with documents and what she’s found.”

  “Is she looking for something in particular?” Wyatt asked.

  Maks got to his feet and walked from the room and down the stairs. “I’ve not prodded her. She has a way of finding information that I would’ve overlooked.”

  “Might be wise to let her do her thing,” Callie said. “Once she finishes this wall, you might be able to both see something.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on. If things go well, it might be today. The problem is that I had no idea how much intel I’d gathered. I didn’t think there was much in any of it, but it turns out, I was wrong. Eden has uncovered a lot of things I wasn’t even aware of.”

  There was a smile in Callie’s voice when she said, “I can’t wait to meet her. I bet there is so much I could learn from her.”

  “I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual,” Maks said.

  Wyatt blew out a breath. “We’ve been on enough missions together that I know you’re thinking ahead. What’s going through your mind?”

  Maks was silent for a moment as he listened to the sound of the water from the shower. “Before the virus, it was just making sure that I kept us ahead of the Saints. I know how to deal with men with guns. This, however, is something else entirely. Food is still available, but it isn’t as easily accessible as before. We aren’t starving, but that’s low on my list of concerns when there are so many coming down with this illness. My worry is that I’ll pick it up. If I’m sick, then I can’t keep us away from the Saints. Eden is smart, and she’s learning quickly, but it isn’t enough.”

  “She’s not trained,” Callie said.

  Maks blew out a breath. “Then there’s the problem of if Eden gets sick.”

  “Do you have any plans in place for either scenario?” Wyatt asked.

  “There’s nowhere to go, nothing to do. It’s why I haven’t moved us since we got here.”

  “That’s probably the smart thing.”

  Maks leaned back against the counter. “How are all of you holding up?”

  “We’re secluded here on the ranch, which makes it easier. Callie is monitoring everything with the help of Natalie and Mia. We take turns scouting the property. The good thing is that with the ranch and the garden Natalie started a few months ago, we’re doing pretty good. We go into town once a week f
or the things we can’t get anywhere else. Things here aren’t as bad as where you are, but we’re ahead of things at the ranch. We’re keeping our distance from others and already self-isolating.”

  Maks wasn’t surprised by the news. “That’s good. From what I hear, it’s making its way through the US at a good rate, but not nearly what’s happened here.”

  “We had time to see what was happening and prepare. At least, some of us,” Callie said sarcastically. “Some people in the government are just dumbasses of the first order.”

  That made Maks chuckle. “I’ll keep you all posted of things on this end.”

  “We’ll do the same,” Wyatt said. “If things get too hairy over there—”

  “I won’t call,” Maks interrupted him.

  Wyatt sighed loudly. “You’ve done a lot for us. You were even there for Lev. You’re good at what you do, Maks, but you should take help when you can.”

  “I’m not putting all of you in danger. I’ll figure things out with Eden. One way or another, this thing with the Saints is coming to an end. They’ve done enough.”

  Callie said, “I’m in total agreement. However, I think it’s prudent if we share what we have. That means we need to send you what we have, which, I hate to admit, isn’t much. It’ll be everything on Ragnarök and all that debacle. In order to do that, I’m going to create an encrypted server where we can share things. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, but this will actually help us. Eden can send over everything she has, and we’ll be able to help. Besides, there might be a kernel of info in our intel somewhere that could be just what we need.”

  “That would be nice.” The water shut off overhead. “I’m going to keep the phone on. Send me a text when you get the server set up and you’re sure it can’t be hacked.”

  Callie made an annoyed sound. “Anything can be hacked. This will be difficult to find, though, and even harder to get in. Plus, I’ll set up firewalls to alert me if someone tries to gain access without permission. Just like I have on everything here. That way, I can destroy everything in the servers and drives to wipe it clean before anyone can find anything.”

  “And before you freak out—” Wyatt began.

  Callie quickly interjected, “Like he did.”

  “—she’s made backups of everything we have.”

  “Three backups,” Callie amended. “One for each brother.”

  Maks nodded, always impressed by Callie. “Sounds good. Thank you.”

  “Stay safe.”

  “You, too.” Maks then disconnected the call.

  He was making the coffee when Eden came down the stairs in fresh clothes and wet hair.

  She raised her brows when she noticed the cell phone on the counter. “Everything okay?”

  “Wyatt and Callie had been calling. I forgot about getting in touch with them as we’ve been working. I called them back.”

  “They’re not infected with this virus, are they?”

  “Thankfully, no. They’re also being very safe.”

  Eden got out the loaf of bread and took out two slices for the toaster. “You’re worried about them.”

  It wasn’t a question. “I am. They’re also worried about us. Wyatt even offered to find some way to come and get us.”

  “You sound surprised,” she stated while returning the bread to the pantry.

  “It would be suicide for them to try something like that.”

  She propped a hand on the counter and shot him a flat look. “Would you do it for them?”

  “If I was able, yes.”

  “So why is it any different if someone does it for you?”

  Maks parted his lips to answer, but he realized there wasn’t anything he could say.

  Eden rolled her eyes as she laughed. “That’s what I thought. They consider you a friend, maybe even family, which means they want to help you. You risked your life for them.”

  “Maybe,” he replied with a shrug.

  “Which means, you did. And you didn’t think twice about it, did you?”

  He held her hazel eyes and shook his head.

  “Exactly. Maks, you’re an amazing guy with some truly special—and a little terrifying—skills. You’re going to help others, and sometimes, others are going to help you.”

  He reached out and pulled her against him. “You mean, like you?”

  “Me?” she asked, surprised filling her face. “What do you mean?”

  “You’ve helped me.”

  Eden snorted as she slid her arms around his neck. “Now you’re just teasing.”

  “I’m not. You’ve brought calm into my life. An ease I had forgotten.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing in your line of work.”

  “Trust me, it’s not dulling anything. Holding you at night, it’s let me be…me.”

  “Really?” she asked with a bright smile. “I’m doing that?”

  She was doing that and so very much more. “Oh, yes.”

  Eden rose up on her toes as she leaned her head toward his. “I do like this side of you. Did I ever tell you that flattery will get you everywhere?”

  “You haven’t, but it’s good to know.”

  He couldn’t stop smiling. Even when they shared a kiss, he couldn’t believe that they had found something wonderful amid such a dark time. It didn’t seem possible, and yet it was. His heart was nearly bursting with emotion.

  Maks pulled back. “There’s a couple of things I need to tell you.”

  “Okay,” she said with half-closed eyes. “But only if you give me another kiss when you’re finished.”

  He chuckled. “Callie is setting up an encrypted server to upload all of their data. She’s going to share the location with us so we can put everything we have in there, as well. That’s in case something happens to us. They’ll be able to get the information.”

  “Sounds like a good idea. What do you think?”

  “I trust Callie, if that’s what you’re asking. She knows what she’s doing, and I’m confident that it’ll be a good place to store everything.”

  Eden nodded solemnly. “In case we both get sick or are killed by the Saints.”

  “There’s that as well, yes. Callie also said they’d help you with whatever you need. She’s eager to meet you.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her, as well. All of them, actually. It’ll be nice to put faces with names.”

  Maks noticed that they were both talking as if the virus or the Saints weren’t going to impede them. Perhaps it was a good way to look at things. Especially now.

  The toast popped up, breaking their gaze. Eden grabbed her breakfast as he took down two mugs and poured their coffee. They said nothing as they climbed the stairs and started their work for the day.

  It wasn’t until a few hours later that Eden sat back and blew out a breath. “That’s it.”

  Maks stilled as he swiveled his head to her. “What’s it?”

  “That was the last page in the last file of the second drive. We’ve looked through it all. I’ve done initial research on all of it. Now is when I need to go through and give greater attention to anything that I flagged before.”

  He couldn’t believe they had finally reached the end. At that moment, the cell phone dinged with a text. He recognized Callie’s number and looked at the message. It was a link to what he assumed was the server she’d set up. Before he could call to see if it was from her, the phone rang.

  “It’s from me,” Callie said when he answered. “I knew you’d be wary. Wanted you to know that I sent it, and it’s all fine.”

  Maks chuckled. “Thanks. We’ll start getting everything sent over shortly.”

  He disconnected the line and gave the phone to Eden so she could see the link. In short order, she began sending the files from the drives to the encrypted server. Meanwhile, he looked around the room at the papers scattered everywhere.

  “Where is that paper on…?” Eden trailed off.

  He wou
ld help her if he knew what she was looking for, but he’d learned quickly that it was easier to let her do her own thing. Curious, he watched as she tiptoed in the spaces between the papers, bent to shuffle some around, moved to another spot, picked up two papers, then returned to the bed.

  She was in her own world as she jotted something down on the computer then turned to the side where some paper and pen sat. She wrote something there, as well. Then she handed him what she’d picked up from the floor and pointed to the left side of the wall.

  “Can you hang that between the fourth and fifth papers?” she asked.

  Maks did as she asked. When he turned back, she had another page. And another. Then another.

  33

  “Holy hell,” Maks muttered.

  Eden blinked, unable to believe that it had finally all come together. She stared at the wall, noting what was linked to what. To top it off, there were even a few names that she had gotten from the pen drives and her research. Names that obviously meant something to Maks given his shocked expression.

  “Am I seeing that correctly?” he asked.

  She nodded and came to stand beside him. “Yeah. Because I’m seeing it, as well.”

  Maks took several steps back and sank heavily onto the bed and then ran a hand down his face before his gaze returned to the wall. “That’s…fuck. It was right before me the entire time.”

  “What?”

  “Not what, who.”

  She stared at the wall and the names there. “They did everything in their power to keep their identities from being known. You can’t blame yourself.”

  “Fuck,” he said again.

  Eden walked to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “What do we do now?”

  “Tell the entire damn world,” he bit out.

  “The problem is going to be finding out who to deliver this to, who isn’t a Saint.”

  Maks surged to his feet and went to the wall to stare at the pages and rope that linked events to different people. He put his hand on his hips and slowly shook his head. “You don’t recognize these names, do you?”

  “No,” she answered.