Matt Drake 14 - The Treasures of Saint Germain Read Online Free PDF Page A

his own worries he wondered what might await them within.
    Nevertheless, he walked straight through.
     

CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    Hayden and Kinimaka had been sat alone, awaiting the team’s arrival since around 5:30 p.m. They kept the office dark and quiet, equipment switched off or dimmed down low, so they could sit side-by-side on a desk and talk.
    Hayden swung her legs back and forth. “I’m trying to be totally honest here, Mano. We’re not unsteady. We’re not facing obstacles. We’re fucking fucked.”
    The Hawaiian looked morose. “Because I didn’t want you to torture a guy?”
    “That was weeks ago. And he deserved it. But it’s not that. It’s deeper.” Hayden couldn’t bring herself to fully explain the problem—it involved her view that Kinimaka hadn’t been man enough to take things all the way—and not just on that occasion—and how that demeaned him in her eyes. The same thing had happened with Ben Blake. Shit, she thought. Poor Ben. I hope you’re happy, my friend, wherever you are.
    “I love you,” Mano said simply, maybe a bit desperately. “I worry about you. All the time.”
    Hayden felt faraway. “Did you ever consider our future? I mean—look at our lives. Do you think there’s a beautiful wedding day for us? A Hawaiian honeymoon? Do you think we’ll end up at Disneyland with our kids?”
    Kinimaka’s face went a little soft. “Why not?”
    Hayden now saw the gulf that stretched between them. “We won’t change.”
    “Everything changes.”
    “Then change it now. All of it. You. The whole SPEAR team. No one’s irreplaceable. Let’s disband and go private.”
    Kinimaka breathed deeply in surprise. “You want to disband?”
    “I put my career first, no matter what,” she said. “And I need strong people by my side to lean on.”
    “This team works,” Kinimaka said. “You know it does.”
    “Then it would work anywhere.”
    “Wait.” Kinimaka held up a hand. “Just wait. I thought we were talking about us.”
    Hayden swung her legs faster. “Shit, Mano, we are. I’m full-on, remember? You’re cautious.”
    “Out of the two of us, who’s been shot the most?”
    “Oh, hold my ribs before they crack from laughing.”
    The Hawaiian stopped all movement as the desk gave an alarming creak beneath him. Hayden felt a lightening in her chest; his clumsiness and fear of it had always been one of his most endearing features to her. He spoke whilst staring at the floor.
    “If you love me, don’t let go.”
    “There’s more to it than—”
    “No. It doesn’t matter whether it’s between adults or if it’s your kids. There are always tough moments, moments you want to take flight. But don’t. Fight it. Don’t run away from those you love.”
    Hayden hadn’t expected that from Mano. Despite her mind, which was already made up, she took pause. She held back the words that hovered on the tip of her tongue and took a long breath.
    “Do you have any suggestions?” she said instead. Lame but workable.
    “Shit, no.” Mano laughed.
    Hayden saw shadows crossing the doorway and the unmistakable figure of Torsten Dahl passing through. It was time to put the game face on. Time to go to work. She wondered for a further moment if she should go easier on Mano and propose they simply take a break, but then remembered his words and their long history and the way he’d once made her feel.
    Another chance. We’re worth that.
    Kinimaka jumped down from the desk, almost toppling her as the enormous weight shifted. Dahl smiled at the unintended antics.
    “You two,” he said. “You’re a fine comedy couple.”
    Hayden didn’t smile at all. That was what she was afraid of.
     

CHAPTER SIX
     
     
    Drake winced a little when he realized Alicia and he were about to enter the office last. That sent every pair of eyes twitching in their direction, and wasn’t helped when, as he opened his mouth to say hi, Alicia nipped him painfully on the ass.
    The greeting squeaked out in a