Alan lifted her chin with his finger. “You are a person of integrity, L,” he said. “You’re humble and confident and not the slightest bit arrogant. You’re reliable, take responsibility for your actions, and admit when you’re wrong. You put others before you and make conscious choices to help those in need, placing their needs before your own. You offer the benefit of the doubt, even to those who might not deserve it. You respect others without expecting the same in return. And above all things, you choose honesty and kindness. The collapse of society has flipped humanity on its fundamental axis. Good people have been placed into positions of doing bad things in the name of survival and self-preservation, and in the face of that, you’ve remained true to yourself. You haven’t lowered yourself to any lesser standard; you’ve risen above and even created your own.
“This…heart-of-war business, I never knew such a thing existed, but after hearing what Woo Tang said about it, I can see it now, and I see it in you. I can feel it just standing here. But I know you’ll figure it out. You’ll gain control of it and keep that control because your integrity won’t allow you to fail. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I take pride seeing how you conduct yourself, how you are with people, with your family, and with me. And I’m damn proud to call you mine.” A pause. “Come home, L. Let’s talk this out and find a better way of fixing what’s broken.”
Lauren wiped away some tears and gazed thoughtfully into her father’s eyes. “You called me ‘L’.”
“I did?”
She nodded. “Twice. I’ve waited sooo long to hear you say it.” She wrapped her arms around his waistline. “Mom will undoubtedly read you the riot act, but you were right to come. I wasn’t going to go home until I saw you.”
Alan embraced Lauren tightly and kissed the top of her head. “So, I did good, then? You’ve made up your mind?”
“Yeah, I think I have.”
“Maybe I can help you solidify the decision.” Alan smirked humbly. “Grace is awake. And she’s asking for you.”
“What?!” Lauren pulled away, excited and dumbstruck. “She is? She’s okay?”
“She’s fine. And the baby’s heartbeat is strong, so the word is, he or she is, too.”
Lauren’s eyes welled up again, but she did not cry. She walked side by side with Alan away from the DHS vehicle, passing by Jade, who stood sentry at the road’s edge.
“Need a lift?” Alan called to her.
Jade shook her head. “No, thanks. I think I have that covered,” she said, gesturing to the truck. “Someone has to secure and transport all that hardware out of here. Might as well be me.”
Alan shrugged and reached for Lauren’s hand. “Suit yourself.”
“Dad—if you don’t mind,” she began, “I’d like to ride with her. I mean, if that’s okay.”
Jade looked confused but offered no dispute.
After some deliberation, Alan gave in. “You two stay out of trouble. See you both at home.”
Lauren kissed her father and watched him trudge away through the moonlit darkness, then regarded her compatriot. “I don’t know why you felt the need to be here, Jade. But thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Though, it might’ve had something to do with the two duffel bags of weaponry you appropriated.”
Lauren looked away innocently. “I was going to bring them back.”
“That’s good,” Jade said. “Had you not, the property owner would not have been pleased. Aside from that, our instructions were to retrieve you, and I wasn’t about to let you out of my sight without ensuring that.”
Lauren wiped her nose. “I get it. And I’m glad all of you came. I’m starting to think there might be something seriously wrong with me and that I’m in urgent need of some help.”
“Help?”
“You were here, you must’ve heard what Jae said to me,” Lauren explained. “I never knew such a thing existed…but I think he pegged me good this time.” She looked to Jade. “How do you control yours?”
Jade drew her brows in. “My…”
Lauren jutted her thumb to the center of her chest.
“Oh, that.” Jade smiled uncomfortably. “The heart-of-war thing? I don’t know. I guess I never knew I had one until now.”
“I think you do. And I think you know how to control yours, while I obviously don’t.”
“What are you asking me, Lauren?”
“I need help, Jade,” Lauren said. “I’m scared…scared of me. And I just need a little help.”
Jade’s expression softened in an instant. She placed both hands on Lauren’s shoulders. “Listen, okay? I’m no role model. When it comes to leading by example, I’m not the one you want to follow. But I’ll do what I can. I won’t turn my back on you.” Her eyes narrowed. “There’s a caveat, though—a big one. I’m not fond of arrangements that go one way and not the other. If you want my help, you’re going to have to give a little. It has to go both ways, Lauren. You have to be all-in if you want the same from me. You can confide in me and ask me anything you want—within reason, and I’ll do whatever I can to help you through this. But if you’re not one hundred percent open with me in return, the deal’s off.”
Lauren attempted a smile. “Sounds fair. Thank you.”
Jade ushered Lauren to the SUV’s passenger side, then circled the front and took the driver’s seat, where Lauren handed her the keys. She started the ignition and said, “Lauren, you
