The room we walk into is very clearly a command center for the Brotherhood.
It takes me a moment to get my bearings when my attention is yanked to the banks of equipment with blinking lights and fluctuating holographic displays.
“Holy moly,” I say under my breath.It’s like a freaking battle station in here.
“That’s exactly what it is,” Arc says, kissing my hair.
The only thing that feels out of place is the enormous curved sofa.
“It’ll make sense in a few minutes.”
“Good.” Kimba clasps her hands together in front of her chest. “You’re here on time.”
“Looks like we’re early,” I look around the room, wondering if sneaky Kilo is here.
“He’s not.” Arc grips my hand once and then releases it.
“I wanted you to get here first so that we could have a moment of quiet before the others arrive.” She glances at the door. “But I’m willing to bet your sisters are going to get here early too, so that time is limited.”
She takes a deep breath. “You are the purpose of the meeting, but I am going to try to make this as painless as possible.”
“Is there any specific reason it might be painful?”
“I don’t know if you’ve fully prepared for the onslaught your sister may bring to bear.” She looks up at Arc. “She already doesn’t like you. Finding out that you’ve been lying to her is going to be… interesting.”
“Has she been that bad?” I ask, pulling her attention away from Arc.
“Be thankful she didn’t know where you were. She might have gone so far as storming their outpost to get to you.”
I could easily see her doing that.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t blame you if you needed a drink to deal with what’s coming.”
It doesn’t feel like fishing. Besides, she knows we aren’t bonded. Arc told me she’d be notified once we put the paperwork through. No bonding, no baby.
“I’ll be alright. Jess and I have been fighting since I learned how to say the word ‘no,’ and I don’t think we’re going to stopuntil one of us is dead and buried. If I needed to drink to get through an argument with her, I’d be an alcoholic.”
Kimba’s brows raise and she looks from me to over my shoulder. And I don’t have to guess which of them she’s locked eyes on. “Then it’s no surprise you get along.”
The door opens then, and seeing my middle sister bustled through the door makes me realize just how much I’ve missed her.
Laurel fusses and Richter tries to make her slow down, but she barely lets him get her coat off.
“What are you doing here?” She comes to me and almost manages a real hug.
Very definitely pregnant, she moves like she’ll tip over at any moment.
Maybe that’s why Richter keeps so close.
I’m glad she’s the one who got here first. Jess and I might have lived together and, in some ways I feel closer to her, but Laurel has never judged me foranything. She won’t start now.
“That is a strange story… one I’m sure the full details of will be given to the group once everyone’s here, but… surprise! I was abducted by aliens!” I give a little jazz hands movement to soften the blow.
“You’re very calm about this.” Laurel looks past me to the cold boys. “How long have you been here?”
“Like a week?” I guess. I don’t actually know, when I glance at Risk, he says, “Nine days.”
“That feels like so long but it really isn’t.” She sighs.
