Page 72 of Broken
As they headed out, Prescott murmured, “I was going to ask Liv what to do, but you’ve got a Master’s in psychology—”
“Classwork only,” she replied. “I would hate to give you the wrong guidance. Wait. How do you know I’ve got a degree—”
“I read your file,” he replied before eyeing Ethan in the rearview mirror. “Ethan, do you like music?”
“Uh-huh, Mommy has songs on her phone that I know all the words to.”
“You want me to help?” Jacqueline asked, not wanting to overstep.
“Thanks,” Prescott replied.
Jacqueline opened an app and searched for popular children’s music. Looking back at Ethan, she said, “I’m going to play some songs. Will you let Uncle Prescott know if you like them?”
“Okay.”
She tried one. Ethan didn’t know it. She tried a second. He didn’t like that one. She continued until he said, “I know this.” She added it to a playlist while he started singing along.
The sweet sound of his young voice touched her soul, yet it made her profoundly sad. He was happily singing away, unaware of the loss he would have to face.
He’s too young to have to face one of life’s worst hardships.
She continued searching for tunes, slowly building a playlist for him. She’d been so focused on helping Ethan, she hadn’t been paying attention to where they were going.
Prescott had pulled off a street tucked in some residential area, then driven down a dirt road, passing a “No Trespassing” sign. He continued until the woodsy area cleared and a warehouse loomed into view. He drove around back, tapped a button on the visor, and the hangar-like door started to rise. He pulled in and cut the engine.
“You can use one of these SUVs.” Prescott got out, then pulled Ethan out and set him on the treated hangar floor. “Hey, buddy, we’re going to find a truck for Jack to drive. You wanna help me?”
She got out and stared at the fleet of identical black vehicles in the oversized garage.
“I like that one.” Ethan pointed.
Prescott laughed. “That was easy. Why that one?”
“It’s soooo shiny.”
Prescott opened the driver’s side door, pulled the keys from the visor, and pushed the start button. “It’s got gas, so I think picked you a winner, Ethan.”
Jacqueline stood there, staring at the SUVs.
“What is this place?” she asked.
He stepped so close she had to tilt her head up. “It’s ALPHA’s black site that doubles as a safe house.”
He smelled delicious… and so damn familiar. It was a mix of him and whatever soap he rubbed all over his Adonis-like body.
It had to be the lack of sleep and the three-hour time difference. While she could blame jet lag all she wanted, she could breathe him in and stare at those piercing eyes for hours.
Snap out of it.
He stepped away. “The vehicle is bullet proof, so you’ll be safe driving around.”
“Do you need to let someone know?” she asked.
“Already did.” He held out the key fob.
Once she took it, she asked, “Can I grab my bags?”
“Later,” he replied.
