“Having a baby in what feels like wartime?” She knew she was blessed, though. How could she not? “I know what you mean. And thanks. I’m glad you get to be a part of it.”
“It’s all I get.”
Kenna waited.
“You’re like me. One of their children.”
“Am I? Malcom Banbury was your father. You weren’t conceived in a lab.” Kenna didn’t like to think about that, or the woman who had died bringing her into this world. Amara’s sister, someone she would never meet.
“It was the only way for her to do it.”
Kenna shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
“Mom, when she was pregnant. She went to them and asked them to accept the baby as part of their program. They made me like you, and I’m shocked it didn’t go wrong because it could have with them doing that after the fact. But they did more to me than what they did to you.”
“I don’t really know what you’re talking about.”
“I can’t have children. None of the offspring can except you.” Zeyla sucked in a breath. “Mom traded my ability to have children so they could sterilize an entire generation. Every child ofDominatusborn after you is infertile. None of us can have children.”
Kenna stared at her, and her eyes burned with unshed tears. “I’ve heard that. The general said something about me being the only one. Or it was the president. I can’t remember, but I don’t want this child to be their chosen one, so I put it out of my mind. At least, the implication of what they were saying and what it meant.”
“I didn’t want to tell you.”
“I’m glad you did.” Kenna’s heart wanted to break inside her chest. The way it had so many times already. She should be used to it by now, but it still hurt. Every single time. “I’m sorry you can’t have children.”
“You think I want to bring a baby into this world? No offense. This is a messed-up place on a good day.”
“Then why not fill it with good things?” Kenna should have thought that through before she said it. “You could adopt. Change a child’s life, or a group of siblings. Give them what none of us had.”
“Just me?” Zeyla shot her a look.
Kenna had walked herself into that one. “Or…you know. Whoever.”
“I’m not marrying Ramon.”
“I mean. Never say never.” Kenna had, and now look where she was. “I’d have laughed if you’d have told me I’d marry Jax. Or have a family. Or that any of this would happen.”
“We’ll see.” Zeyla changed lanes and squeezed between two semis, then jerked the wheel to get them on the off-ramp exit. “Right now, we have people to find and a case to work.”
Kenna had to laugh.
“What?”
“You sound like me.” The laughter that should be dissipating bubbled up and spilled out. She chuckled while Zeyla looked at her with an annoyed expression. “Sorry.”
“You probably don’t need to be sorry. Aren’t siblings supposed to annoy each other?”
“I guess we’ll figure that out.”
Zeyla smiled, so that was something at least. “We’re here.”
Kenna grabbed her phone out of the cup holder and slipped a thin billfold with her IDs in it in her back pocket. “Let’s go shake some trees.”
“Maybe I should take lead.” Zeyla pushed out the door.
They met at the front of the car, and Zeyla beeped the locks. Kenna said, “Because you want to be in charge?” She wanted Zeyla to say it. To admit out loud what she wanted.
“I’m good with being the bodyguard. But you’re pregnant. I don’t know whether to watch your back or permanently stand in front of you.” Zeyla looked at Kenna’s baby bump and shook her head. “Preston better get here soon with his team, or I’m going to go crazy trying to figure out how to make it so nothing happens to you.”
