I gave her a second, then asked my next question. “So, where does Arnauld fit into all this?”
Her auburn eyebrows puckered at the center. “He’s one of Johannes’s men. He’s also someone I’m extremely fond of.”
“Fond enough to declare your love to?”
She remained silent and contemplated her daughter.
“Does Hallie know?” I murmured.
“No. But Arnauld did his best to protect her while she was in Johannes’s custody.”
“And what’s he going to do now? Surely, he can’t return to Johannes after aiding your escape.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes when she met my concerned stare. “All I can do is be thankful Hallie is okay, and hope that Arnauld finds his way to America.”
“To you?”
She nodded. “To me.”
“And if he fails?”
“Then we never see each other again.”
I released a heavy exhale and ran a hand down my face. “And how do you think Hallie is going to react, hearing you’re in love with one of her father’s men?”
Trudy angled closer. “Not well, and that’s why I need to tell her as soon as I can.”
“I won’t breathe a word, but I’m not one for keeping secrets either.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It’s family business, not your business.”
I eyed her wryly and failed to hide a smirk. “Ma’am, we practicallyarefamily. I’ve known Hallie for years, and we’re dating. So, when business affects Hells, it also becomes my business.”
Claire’s arrival put a halt to our conversation, and she politely pulled rank on Trudy before she could reply.
“Trudy, I’d like to have a word with Avery in private please.”
Hallie’s mom nodded and rose to her feet. “I’ll come and sit with her later.”
Claire nodded. “You can once Avery gives the all-clear.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, glancing at me before lingering a kiss on Hallie’s temple.
As soon as she returned to her seat, Claire gave me a quick rundown. “I just spoke to Zeke and Shaun. It’s going to be a long flight home, so we’ll rotate shifts throughout the team to monitor Hallie until she’s recovered.”
“Sounds good. I’m about to hook her up to IV fluids and will sit with her for a while.”
Claire nodded. “She’s a tough cookie, our Hallie. She’ll get through this, Avery.”
“I know,” I murmured. “But there’s something else, Claire. Something that she’s going to need time to recoup from.”
Her expression pulled into a troubled frown. “What is it?”
“She was sexually assaulted. She killed the guy, and despite her being sedated and nonchalant as fuck about it, it won’t stay dormant forever. You’ve gotta let her have some more time off to recover.”
Claire’s eyes drifted to Ty and filled with pain. “I understand. When we rescued Ty from Ailinia, it took him months upon months to recover. I know it’s not the same situation, but I understand the need for her to have time away from the compound; completely away from the force.”
I nodded, already formulating a plan. “Give her leave to come back to Fort Irwin with me. When she’s ready, I’ll bring her back to you.”