Page 80 of Now Until Forever
“Why are you here?” Eliana stared at the TV on the far wall, wondering if she would get any sleep tonight. She should probably put the news channel on and pass some time being entertained by wild theories about the rapture at the Reverence Sister’s compound, and someone trying to poison the city to incite some kind of purge.
“I heard what happened in that apartment.”
Eliana shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You don’t need to. Sylvia got me a copy of the police report. I read your statement.”
“Then why come here?”
“Because I wanted to see for myself if you’re okay.”
She’d be lying if she claimed his presence didn’t have a calming effect on her.
Which was basically crazy given he’d attacked her. But this man seemed more like who Tony was. His stillness and the steady way he spoke projected the same through the room, until it settled on everything. Even her.
She said, “Feeling guilty?” He’d attacked her just a few days ago. But still, did she need to have an attitude with him?
“Should I?”
She rolled her eyes. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have to be in a good mood. You had a crazy day.”
“I don’t need to take my feelings out on you, though. Do I?” She smoothed down the blanket under her fingers, feeling the ridges in the woven fabric. “I’m worried about Luci and what they might do to her in retaliation.”
“That’s part of why I came. Because I do feel bad about what happened. I want to help.”
Eliana turned her head, leaning her cheek against the pillow, and looked at him.
“The Board of Governors meeting.” He let that sink in, then said, “They voted to aid you in finding your friend, Luci Ryson.”
Eliana frowned. “What about those people trying to break into the vault? Are they all dead now?”
“Far as the Board can tell, they work for a new player in town,” Tony said. “Someone who wants access to whatDominatusdeemed too dangerous for the public to know. Doctor Splitfield was working on one of the artifacts, and they believe he was killed because he had information about that and other items in the vault.”
“Did they take the artifact when they murdered him?” Eliana’s stomach clenched. “And how does this connect to my neighbor’s murder?”
“They don’t know that it does, and as far as inventory goes, nothing is actually missing.”
“So who killed him?”
Tony shifted in the chair. “That’s not something you need to worry about.”
“I’m supposed to presume it’s all taken care of and not worry my pretty little head, is that it?” She shook her head. “I don’t want to investigate or put myself in danger, but I’m also not going to do nothing. I’m not sure Carlos and I need their help finding Luci.”
“It could mean the difference in her survival.”
Eliana pressed her lips together.
“Their help isn’t something you turn down.”
She said nothing, not wanting to say out loud how she felt about that. It wasn’t going to come out eloquently right now, and she’d probably end up saying something she’d later regret.
“I knew your family. Once.”
Eliana frowned. “I don’t know you.”
“It was before you were born.” Tony sat forward, his forearms on his knees and his fingers laced in front of him now. His beard shifted. “I’m not going to do anything to hurt you. I made a promise to myself, and that’s why I’m here.”
