Parker, still closest, was the first to notice Eliot had turned around. The lithe blond turned her head in his direction, wide eyes regarding him with a glimmer of…something. Still guarded and wary, but with just a hint of hope.
The look made Eliot's stomach clench so he quirked a tiny smile at her, a bit of reassurance even as he felt adrift himself. He was reminded uncomfortably of how his little sister used to look at him when their father would go on a tear after mama had died. She had always believed he could make it better.
But this wasn't something he could make better with a "fun" camping trip in the woods for the night. This would take a whole different type of effort.
"Damn," he growled under his breath. He saw Hardison's shoulders tense and the younger man looked over his shoulder quickly. Drawn to Nate's orbit as always, Sophie turned toward the ex-insurance investigator to gauge his reaction. Parker's guarded expression cracked and the blond beamed at Eliot.
Okay, so Nate wasn't gonna say anything. Time to cowboy up.
"Way I see it, we got a good thing here," he said clearly, hoping an actual sentence would encourage the others to contribute.
By the time the words were out of his mouth, Nate Sophie and Hardison had turned fully. Parker bounced on her toes and said, "Yup."
Nate crossed his arms mirroring Eliot and looked at each of them in turn. "We can't stay here," he said. "Sterling won't give up so easily."
"Who says we have to stay in LA?" Hardison asked with a shrug. "Not like any of us never moved before."
Sophie stepped toward Nate. "And if you think about it, Sterling will be expecting us to split up. Because that's what any of us would have done in the past. Gone solo," the grifter touched Nate's arm and raised her brows hopefully.
Eliot nodded. "So let's pick another city."
"Maybe somewhere with snow," Parker said with a grin. "I like snow."
Looking around the little circle, previously so grave and somber, Nate took in Sophie's gentle smile, Hardison's wider grin and Parker's positively gleeful expression. Eliot, who had been the one to call a halt to everyone's departures, wore a pleased look, but cocked an eyebrow at Nate. "What d'ya say, boss. You in."
With a quick nod, Nathan said, "Let's find a new city."