“Thank you for your infinite wisdom.”
“Always happy to be of service.”
I storm out, mind and emotions clouded. I’m humming and on edge. None of this makes sense.
I have to focus on the facts.
First, a group of people penetrated the island’s defenses. I don’t know how. I don’t know who did it, though I can probably guess. But it happened.
Second, they tried to rescue, kidnap, or take away Allie and Rosie. I can’t be sure how complicit she was.
Third, she ran. I have no idea why. But she didn’t go with them, even though she clearly had the opportunity. If she hadn’t made so much noise on her way back to the Fortress, they might’ve escaped before my people even realized she was gone.
Put together, these three facts are startling and deeply disturbing.
Everything I’ve believed for so long feels like it’s teetering on fine sand. One shift, one nudge, and it’ll all slide into a pit.
I can’t let myself fall to pieces now.
Not when this shadow war with Medved is beginning to come to a head.
I make my way to security room six. It’s less a holding pen and more a comfortable living area with doors that lock. I find Allie on the bed with Rosie, trying to calm her daughter. Most of the lights are off, and the baby is nearly asleep.
I pause, staring at them. Allie stares back, her eyes red from crying. After a moment, she puts a finger to her lips and keeps rocking Rosie.
I watch them. My heart feels like it fills with air. I could squeeze it, but it’d only fill again. I don’t move, transfixed by my beautiful wife and perfect daughter. Guilt rushes through me, guilt over keeping the truth of her lineage from her, guilt over locking her in this room, guilt over a thousand things. But I never feel guilty over taking her and marrying her.
I’ll never regret that.
Slowly, she places Rosie down on the bed, right in the middle. It’s not a crib, but it’ll do. Allie gets up and comes to me, staying close in case Rosie rolls or moves around. She seems composed now.
“It was Satya,” she says, talking very softly.
I let that sink in. “She was the third person.”
Allie doesn’t seem to know what I mean. “She helped arrange everything. When I decided not to go with them, she chased me and tried to kill me.”
A flash of anger. “I trusted her.”
“I know. That’s what I said. Mass?—”
I can’t take this any longer. I grab her and pull her into me roughly, not caring if we wake Rosie, not caring about anything. “I almost lost you,” I snarl and slam my lips into hers, kissing her fiercely and possessively.
She whimpers in surprise. For a brief second, I think she might resist.
Instead, she returns the kiss with passion.
I hold her and kiss her. Eagerness burns in me. Hate flares too. All of my enemies will burn for this. They’ll suffer for what they’ve done to my family.
We break the kiss off slowly. Her taste, lilacs and honey, lingers on my lips.
“I’m still angry with you,” she whispers.
“Good. I’m angry with you, too.”
“Fine.” She gets on her toes and kisses me softly. “I think we need to start over.”
“How’s that work?”
