Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,56

it would have compromised you, so I had Lopez track her.”

“Did you find her?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“Oh, please, don’t be sorry, ma’am. I’m sorry my personal life has affected you at all.” Astrid went to reach out to soothe the Queen and stopped herself, realising what she was doing. Instead, the Queen reached for her hand and took it between hers.

“You and Jack have both demonstrated how loyal you are to me, and that you would give up the chance to see a loved one to keep me safe. For that, I thank you. I’ve discussed it with my husband, and we feel the tour should be cut short.”

“Oh no, not because of me I hope?” Astrid looked panicked, and he leaned closer.

“No, my daughter is having some issues, which we discussed, and I feel it is best to postpone in light of that and return to the tour perhaps next year.”

“Are you sure?”

Astrid and the Queen seemed to have a closer relationship than he’d realised, but he shouldn’t be shocked. Astrid charmed everyone she met with her class, good humour, and candour.

“Yes, my dear. Now let us have tea so Fitz can get on with the task of cancelling my engagements.”

Jack was a little stunned to be there having the conversation, but he was relieved he could now concentrate on finding both Adeline and Frederick.

Chapter Twenty

Astrid sat up with a start at the same time Jack did, both reaching for the weapons they kept beside the bed. The slightest noise from the room next door had woken her. It wasn’t a sound she could identify but, nevertheless, it was there. Jack motioned for her to get the door on his count, which meant he’d go in first and high and for her to go low.

On his count she flung the door wide, the light of the moon coming from the window catching on a dark shape already racing for the fire exit.

Jack turned to her. “Call Alex. I’m going after them.”

She had no time to respond before Jack was gone, chasing after whoever had broken into the room which was, for all intents and purposes, the one she should be sleeping in. Clearing the room, she turned on the lights and went back to her room and called Alex.

As she wandered through, her gaze tagged on a piece of pink paper leaning against the lamp beside the bed. Her heart crashed into her chest as she recognised the same type of paper she and Adeline had used as girls to write secret notes to each other so their parents wouldn’t catch on.

Sitting heavily on the bed she picked it up with shaky fingers and noted the long scrawl of her name on the front. As she was about to flip it open, the door crashed in, and she raised her weapon, pointing it at Alex and Gunner as they rushed inside.

“Is the Queen secure?”

Alex nodded. “Where did Jack go?” Alex was checking the room as if to reassure himself that the threat had left the building.

“He went after them, but he won’t catch her.” Astrid smiled, knowing how good Jack was but also knowing her sister would have had at least three or four escape routes planned before she even set foot in the hotel.

“Her?”

Gunner moved closer, and she looked up at him. “My sister. She left this.” She held up the note for him to see. As she did, a movement behind her caught her attention, and she saw Jack come through the fire exit, not even breathing hard.

“I lost whoever it was in the alley behind the restaurants.”

He looked pissed about it, and she looked at Alex with a raised brow. “Told you.”

Jack looked between them as he moved towards her, his eyes going to the paper she held. “Told him what?”

Astrid passed him the sheet, and he took it trying to read her expression, but she didn’t even know how she felt so she had no idea what her face told him. “That was my sister.” She nodded at the paper in his hand. “She left that.”

Jack turned it over. “What does it say?”

“I don’t know. I’m scared to read it.”

Jack turned to Alex and Gunner. “Clear the room. I’ll be down shortly.”

He turned back to her, hauling her into his arms, not seeming to question if his men would obey his order because he knew they would.

“She’s reaching out, firefly, that has to be a good thing.”

Astrid nodded. “Maybe but what