Everyone held up their new documents, but Lucian was already barreling on. “Just keep your heads down, and don’t draw attention to yourselves.”
“We know.” I went to stand in front of him.
“Crowds are good if you need to lose a tail and—”
“Uncle Lucian,” I cut him off, taking his hand in mine. “We know.”
I’d spent my entire childhood doing this. Alec and Tyler were highly trained. Ethan and Josh weren’t idiots.
He took my hand in both of his and sighed. “Please just . . . be careful. I can’t lose any more family.”
He gave us all a pointed look, and I leaned down to hug him. He held me close before finally letting go.
Tyler cleared his throat. “I’ve informed Mr. Takata, through a secure channel, that we’re on our way. The only decision left to make is how we actually get off the property.”
“Well, then you’re lucky I’m here.” Olivia strode out of the back of the house, purse over her shoulder, wearing a tracksuit and a determined expression.
“Olivia came to make sure I eat a decent meal for dinner.” Lucian rolled his eyes, but I could tell he was happy to have his sister around more. “We’re lucky the garage was open when she showed up. No one will see you all getting into her SUV, and no one will question her leaving now.”
Once again, Olivia ended up playing my getaway driver. She was much calmer about it this time—no nervousness or second thoughts, no muttering to herself or questioning her decision. She just kept her eyes on the road, and we all crouched in the back.
When the car finally stopped, she paused, pretending to rifle through her purse. “Take care of my boys, Evie.”
Then she got out of the car and walked away.
They didn’t need taking care of. They were the ones with incredible, dangerous abilities. She was just telling me in her own way to be strong—that she believed in me.
We waited for ten minutes, then slunk out of the car into a sprawling department store parking lot. There weren’t many people around but plenty of cars.
By the time I’d gotten my bearings, Alec had already disappeared without a sound, and Ethan and Josh were making their way over to the next row of cars.
Tyler tugged on my arm, two helmets held in his other hand. He led me to a motorbike parked in a dark corner and swung his leg over. If there was any doubt in my mind that we were about to steal a motorcycle, it was wiped away once he started to hotwire it.
I settled in behind him as the engine came to life.
He grabbed my arms and wrapped them tightly around his waist as he turned to flash me a grin. “This time I don’t have to pretend I don’t want your hands all over me.”
Despite the tense situation, I laughed. “This time I don’t have to feel bad about groping you.”
I reached between his legs and gave him a gentle yet confident squeeze. He chuckled and pulled his helmet on, forcing me to abandon my grip on the growing hardness to do the same, and we were off.
We drove to Boston, switching vehicles several times, sometimes splitting up into different groups. Josh booked tickets on a flight to Japan as we drove, and we arrived at the airport with plenty of time to clear customs and passport control without a hitch. My fakes were damn good.
Twenty-Three
When we got to the gate, most of the passengers still hadn’t been called for boarding. Business class was being given priority, so we got in line behind half a dozen other business-class people and waited.
Ethan had his face in a cooking magazine, his bicep bulging. I smiled at him indulgently and leaned into Josh, but when I rested my head against his shoulder, it felt tense. I looked up at him. The expression on his face was one of careful concentration, his full attention on something over his shoulder.
I followed his gaze to the reception desk. In front of the counter stood a woman with short black hair, dressed impeccably in slacks and a white business shirt. She was saying something to the young woman behind the counter, gesturing with her hands. She looked upset, and even though I couldn’t make out what she was saying, I had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before everyone could.
“Shit.” I gripped Josh’s arm a little tighter, glancing around the busy terminal, clocking the exits.