Chapter 60

"Lost? As in lost in the jungle?" The kid shrugged his soldiers, and started biting his nails again. A habit born of anxiety.

"Stop that." Evan regretted saying anything when he saw the tears well up in his eyes. Shit. He didn't have experience with kids, none at all. And his reprimand came off more harshly than necessary.

"Okay Ian. I'll find her okay? I promise. She won't be lost. Between you and me, we are not going to fail her, are we?"

Ian shook his head, bouncing the curls all over which a minute later were in between Evan's fingers.

He thought of one person who'd know where she always was.

'Noah'

'Evan. What do you need?' He didn't mind Noah's curt tone.

'Do you know where Vanessa is?'

'She went for a run. Why?' An arctic chill overrode Evan's sensory inputs. Did Noah not like that he was asking about Vanessa or he was worried about her because something had happened?

'Why do you ask Evan?' This time, it was a command.

'She is not okay. She is not in danger but she shoul