Hearing Sonnyâs words, Nathan glanced again at the bread that Sonny had brought.
Just moments ago, Lucinda was seething with anger, and yet she had let Sonny bring him breakfast?
âHow did she react?â Nathan asked.
Sonny pondered for a moment before replying, âLucinda didnât really show any reaction.
They hadnât even started eating when I packed up the bread for you.
Nathan, go ahead and eat; you need to keep your strength up to bring your wife back home.â
Nathan accepted the bread.
Now wasnât the time to hold a grudge against Lucinda.
While Nathan ate, Sonny wandered over to a nearby stream, his fingers tracing patterns in the clear water as he inhaled the crisp forest air.
âNathan, whatâs your plan now? When are you going to bring her back?â
Sonny called out.
Seated rigidly, Nathanâs gaze was lowered in deep thought, and he didnât answer right away.
His mind was on the note Cory had handed him.
Coryâs tip led him to investigate Kysonâs whereabouts.
Clearly, Cory knew Lucindaâs location and had intentionally drawn him here.
Cory was likely to act within the next few days.
âDeploy ten helicopters and a unit of special forces, fully armed.
Tell Lonnie to station them in the mountains nearby to encircle this area, and also keep an eye out for anyone else lurking around.
If someone tries to approach the mountain stealthily, let them; donât alert them.
Moreover, when necessary, ensure Lucindaâs safety is the top priority.â
Sonny nodded in understanding.
âUnderstood.â
With the arrangements in place, Nathan planned his return to the small house.
Remembering Lucindaâs aversion to the smell of smoke, he turned to Sonny and asked, âDo I still smell like smoke?â
Sonny leaned in close, sniffing the collar of Nathanâs shirt intently.
âIâm not the best judge of smoke, but I think itâs cleared.â
Nathanâs brow furrowed in clear annoyance.
Since Sonny was uncertain, why did he get so close? With a sharp slap to Sonnyâs head and a firm shove, Nathan made his irritation known.
âFuck off! Stay away from me!â he snapped.
Wincing, Sonny massaged his forehead.
âMaybe I should get Lonnie to bring over some extra clothes? We donât know how long weâll be here, and we might need a few changes.â
Nodding, Nathan saw the sense in the suggestion and settled back onto the rock, contemplating a later return to the house.