Since they were meeting in his quarters, he might as well go to his kitchen to find something to eat. He greeted his son as he passed by him. “Hey Liam.”
“Dad, where are you going?”
“To get something to eat. Do you want a sandwich?”
“Sure, I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast. Maggie burned the toast.”
Devlon chuckled. “At least she didn’t catch your kitchen on fire again.”
Liam sat down at the kitchen table laughing. “That’s true. She’s been busy with the baby.”
“Is Missy still staying up all night?”
“Yes, and sleeping most of the day. It’s really upset our schedule. Well, it’s messing up Maggie’s schedule more than mine. She and I haven’t been awake at the same time in a while. It’s been hard.”
Devlon understood what Liam wasn’t saying. They were having a hard time getting back to having intimate relations. He could relate to that. He and Lara had had a similar experience.
“Be patient. Once Missy gets to a more regular routine, so will the both of you.”
The door opened and Kyle entered. “Hey, I heard you got back. What are you doing?”
Devlon placed a plate with a sandwich in front of Liam. “Want a sandwich?
“Sure. I could probably throw together a quick soup. Let me see what ingredients you have,” Kyle offered, going into the kitchen.
The door opened and Jared entered, followed by Quinn, who told him, “Your second-shift security detail has relieved Nix and Corey.”
Devlon rolled his eyes. “I don’t need a security detail onboard my own ship.” He placed the plate down on the table a little harder than he meant to. He took a deep breath, calming down.
Quinn didn’t wait to be offered the sandwich; he took the plate and started eating. Devlon looked over at Jared. “Sandwich?”
“Yeah, that would be great.”
He went back into the kitchen, maneuvering around Kyle, who was heating up something that smelled absolutely delicious. Devlon made three more sandwiches and carried them to the table. Kyle came up behind him with the pot of soup, bowls and spoons under his arm.
Quinn stood up. “I’ll get the drinks.”
Devlon sat down and looked around the table. It was like it used to be; his boys were here with him again. They weren’t boys anymore, though. They’d grown into fine strong men. He couldn’t be more proud. He coughed to cover up the sudden emotions he felt.
Jared looked at him in concern. “Are you feeling okay? Do I need to run a check on you?”
“I’m fine. Let’s eat this soup before it gets cold.”
The five men sat at the table eating their sandwiches and soup with few words exchanged. It was peaceful, and short-lived. Once the food was eaten, he looked to Liam.
“What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?”
“While Jared was in the subway tunnel giving treatments, he overheard rumors that the current tribe leaders were being threatened by the rebels.”
Devlon turned to look at Jared, “Threatened how? Why didn’t you tell me while we were there?”
“At first it was just an unconfirmed rumor. I didn’t want to say anything until I could verify it. I pulled Jerry aside, and he confessed that some travelers had come through and mentioned that it would be beneficial if he resigned, but he refused. Then they made a threat that if he didn’t do what the rebels wanted him to do, his position would be taken from him.”
“Why didn’t Jerry tell me?”
“Jerry’s being watched, he’s worried that the rebels might attack his family. I came back and told Liam about it.”
Devlon’s first thought was of Heather. Would she be threatened next? He had to warn her, send warriors to help protect her.
“What do you think they want to achieve by doing this?” Quinn asked.
“If they control the tribe leaders, they can control the subway system, and in turn the trading that they hope to do between tribes and domes and eventually domes to domes,” Devlon answered.
“We can’t let them do that,” Liam growled out.
Devlon nodded his agreement. “No, we can’t.”
