As the days passed, though, Layla was napping more and more, she was walking slower, and her stomach was quite large for three months, which wasn’t surprising. After all, she was eating for five, but she was also expected to deliver after six months rather than nine, given that she was carrying nonhumans.
I exited off the highway into the city’s abandoned textile district, adjusting the fan speed on the air conditioner. Temperatures for the beginning of May were warmer than usual, creeping over eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Our five-hour drive from Maine to Massachusetts had taken longer, since we hit rush hour traffic in Boston.
Darkness crawled through the streets of Fall River as I braked at a stoplight amid four- and five-story stone buildings with broken doors and shattered windows. The area had been bustling at one time in the city’s history with thriving yarn and clothing manufacturers.
Releasing a soft breath, Layla stirred awake. “Are we close to home?”
Her last word made my stomach flip. Home to me wasn’t a place but a feeling—one that was comfortable, safe, at ease, and loving. My sister had been my home forever, but Layla was now.
“About five miles,” I said, pressing on the gas after the light turned green.
She pouted, grappling to find her necklace. When she grasped the ruby engagement ring, she sighed. “Can we turn around and go back?”
I reached over the console and dragged the backs of my fingers down her cheek. “We’ll return to Maine again.” I couldn’t exactly say when because I didn’t know.
We had a ton of shit to deal with outside of her pregnancy. The big elephant in the room was Intech. But even if we annihilated Intech, another power-hungry asshole would pop up, not even including Roman.
I wasn’t exactly looking forward to desk duty. I itched to fight alongside my brothers. I knew my situation was only temporary. After all, if my dead grandfather’s message to my father was right, I was instrumental in stopping this war. In the meantime, my priority was Layla and the birth of our children.
“Are the kiddos still active?” I asked. She’d been feeling kicks and wiggles here and there.
“I think they’re asleep.” She glanced out the window at the changing landscape as we left the textile district. “Any updates on Intech or my family?”
I’d checked in with Tripp a couple of times since I was curious about Noah. “Nothing. And before you ask, no signs of Alia’s son or the two shifters.” I partly lied. I couldn’t share the news about Noah. As far as the three missing individuals went, that wasn’t a lie. Tripp had told me Dane was beside himself that his brother Ross hadn’t surfaced. I imagined the alpha shifter was one pissed-off motherfucker.
Time to talk about something else. I hated to lie to her, but I believed she would understand the nature of classified information.
I grasped her hand. “In the few minutes we have before we pull into the base, we should decide on a date for our handfasting ceremony. I need to give George a heads-up. Or we could wait.”
I wanted to give her an out in case she changed her mind and wanted a big blowout wedding. She assured me that she didn’t want anything fancy or expensive—just simple. She’d also agreed with me that we should marry before she gave birth and didn’t mind the war room as a venue, even though I’d wanted to tie the knot under the stars. If we did, that would eliminate our family and friends from attending.
“I just love that idea. No churches. No big parties. Just you and me and a simple ceremony among our family and friends. It’s just perfect, Sam.” Her electric-blue eyes shimmered against the dashboard lights. “We should do it this weekend. That will give us time to settle in and focus on the nursery.”
Jo had texted me that the nursery was painted.
“And names.” She pushed out an exasperated sigh. “So far we have Liam and Luna, but we can only use both names if we have at least one baby of each sex. We need to come up with more names for both sexes.”
Layla wasn’t keen on Lane or Lincoln, two of the baby boy names I’d previously suggested. However, she’d fastened on Luna for a girl after George told us he loved the name. I agreed, especially because of its meaning—Roman goddess of the moon. Same went for Liam—strong-willed warrior and protector. My mom believed that a name shaped a person, and I wanted to carry on her beliefs.
“We have time,” I said. “And it might come down to seeing the babies before we decide.”
I navigated a sharp turn down the dirt road leading to the back entrance of the base. I’d called Tripp about an hour into the drive home. He’d informed me that the media was still camped outside the main gate. There weren’t as many reporters as there had been when Layla and I had left for Maine, but to be safe, he didn’t want me to chance it. If they saw my face, it might stir up a bigger frenzy.
I called Tripp again as I approached. The gate was chained and had a Do Not Enter sign attached and below that another one declaring Property of the U.S. Government.
“I’m at the south gate,” I said when he answered.
“Copy that. The guard is making his rounds in that direction. Hang tight.” Then the line disconnected.
She twined her fingers in mine as we rested our arms on the console. “Sam, I feel like we’re about to enter hell. Are we ready for what lies ahead?”
I brought our joined hands up to my mouth and kissed hers. “We are, baby doll.” We had to be. We had no choice.
The guard opened the gate, ending the conversation. No sooner than we drove on base, it seemed like the air changed from calm to a wild storm brewing. Maybe Layla was right. Yet, if this was hell, then I would gladly find a way to enjoy it as long as I had my auburn-haired huntress with me.
By the time we reached my apartment, Layla’s anxiety had waned. Jordyn had called as we wound through the streets of the base, putting Layla in a better mood. The youngest Aberdeen sister was chomping at the bit to see Layla’s engagement ring.
I had the key in the lock when Layla curled her fingers around my wrist. “Sam, before we go in…” She searched my face, her eyes filled with apprehension.
