“Yeah. We’re engaged,” Brian said. “We can go back to our rooms and you can see her until they have a room worked out for you.”
“She already has a room,” Meghan said. She threw her thumb back at Jodie. “It’s this one we have to figure out accommodations for.”
“I don’t care about a room,” Jodie said. “And I’m all for what appears to be a happy reunion. But first, food.”
Reyna’s stomach grumbled as if on command. She remembered that she’d only had that banana all day. It was the first day in more than eight weeks that she’d gone without a full meal. Before she was hired by Visage, it had been irregular for her to eatmorethan one full meal a day. Things changed quickly.
“Food it is, then,” Meghan chirped.
Reyna introduced Jodie to her two brothers as they followed Meghan and Tye to the cafeteria. It was in between mealtimes, so the place was deserted, which was a relief. She wanted to talk and hear about their experience at Elle so far.
When Jodie went with Meghan and Tye to rummage through the pantry, she turned back to her brothers. “I’m really, really, really glad that you’re safe. I tried not to wonder what would happen to you after I was taken.”
“You’re happywe’resafe?” Drew gasped out. “Reyna, you were kidnapped.”
“What happened to you in there?” Brian asked.
Reyna chewed on her lip. “I’m alive and healthy. That’s all that matters right now, okay?”
“That’s no…” Brian started, but Drew cut him off: “You can tell us when you’re ready.”
She gave them an appreciative smile. “Can you fill me in on what’s been going on since I was taken? I feel like I’ve missed so much.”
“Well, Elle HQ is an enormous operation,” Brian told her. “We weren’t sure of it when we first got here, but they really are working for vampire and human equality. That isn’t just a line that they feed you. Everyone here has a job. The inner circle of command delegates tasks, and it trickles down through the ranks. Drew and I are both working in security.”
“Security?” Fear crept through her.
“Yeah,” Brian said as if it were no big deal. “It’s hard to find guys around here with any fighting skills.”
“Is the job dangerous?” Her brothers exchanged a look she knew all too well. “Don’t you dare shield me from this.”
“It’s not a walk in the park,” Drew said. “We have pretty grueling training, fighting techniques, strategy classes, weapons…”
“I’ve been locked up, and you two have been training to get yourselves killed.”
“It’s not like that,” Drew said, reaching out for her.
Brian straightened up. “We had to do our part. After you were kidnapped, we had no idea what was going to happen. We spent every day feeling utterly helpless. We did the only thing we could—we trained. We bought into the cause, and we’re going to keep fighting for what’s right if it keeps you safe,” Brian said passionately. “The leader of Elle is ex-military, and she’s doing a great job. We’re happy to be working for her. Happy to have a purpose in all of this.”
Reyna sighed. She might not like her brothers working on a security detail where they could be harmed, but she understood the idea of needing purpose. It was something that she had so desperately needed while living with Beckham. Something Harrington could never give her. She didn’t want to think about Harrington, and her heart hurt too badly to think about Becks.
“Okay.” Meghan’s cheery tone rang out as she exited the kitchen.
Tye held up brown paper bags. “The goods.”
“Here you go.” Meghan passed Reyna a bag filled with a sandwich, a bag of potato chips, and a chocolate chip cookie. “Best we can do until next shift comes in to cook.”
They ate in a hurried silence. It was the least nutritious meal she’d had in weeks. It filled a hole that she didn’t even know needed to be filled. The food made her happy. It didn’t just fill her stomach.
Once they were done, Meghan’s gaze found Reyna. “How about I show you to your room? You look exhausted.”
“Sure.” She was both exhausted and wired. All of her emotions roiled through her at lightning speed.
“Great. Jodie is going to tag along with us. Tye will take Brian and Drew back to their command.” Reyna opened her mouth to protest, but Meghan barreled forward. “They’ll come see you after their shift is finished. You could use some rest.”
“It’s fine,” Brian said, kissing her forehead. “We’ll be fine. You’re in good hands. You’re safe here. We’ll find you later.”
“Love you, Rey,” Drew said. He dragged her into another hug, and then all the guys disappeared.
