"She has a point."
"I was just joking, guys. I don't want to be the one doing the talking."
Petrov glared at her. "In Russia, we don't joke about life-or-death negotiations."
"What do you joke about in Russia?"
"Nothing. Life is too hard for jokes."
The collective processed the exchange and filed it under the category that they had labeled humor. It was a category that had expanded significantly since they had begun spending time with these three humans. Or rather two humans and a former one, in Dimitri's case.
"We will return at one in the morning with the phone," Number One said.
31
KIAN
"Drova is on the first flight out," Onegus said as he accepted a cup of coffee from Shai and thanked him with a nod. "She should land by early afternoon tomorrow. It's tight, but she might make it to the cocktail party."
Kian leaned back and allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. It was a small thing in the grand scheme of the clusterfuck they were dealing with, but at least someone's wishes were coming true. Arezoo and Ruvon were going to be happy, Arezoo because her best friend would be at her party, and Ruvon because Arezoo would be happy.
It was an indisputable fact that men's happiness depended on that of their mates. That was why good men went out of their way to achieve that.
He checked his watch.
It was ten-thirty, which meant it was eleven-thirty at night on the island. Half an hour before Losham's midnight, which was when they usually placed the call.
"How is your mother holding up?" Onegus asked.
"She's managing." Kian let out a breath.
Tonight, she would be surrounded by family during their usual Friday night dinner, which would be good for her. He was even thinking about suggesting that she stay the night. It wasn't good for her to be alone in her house with only her Odus for company. The guest bedroom at his house was always ready, and Syssi would welcome his mother with her usual warmth.
He'd bring it up at dinner. Casually, so Annani wouldn't feel like he was trying to manage her.
"We should make the call," Lokan said from his corner. He'd been quiet since arriving, his expression more brooding than usual during these calls.
Kian nodded. "Go ahead, Toven."
Toven reached for the device, placed the call, and put the phone on the stand with the speaker activated. The room settled into the tense silence that preceded those calls.
It rang three times before Losham answered.
"Yes."
He sounded marginally better than yesterday. Still strained, still carrying the clipped cadence of a man managing more crises than he could handle, but the edge of hysteria had receded, which was an improvement.
"Hello, Losham," Toven said. "Please tell us how the effort to uncover the chests is going."
"Always so polite." Losham sounded like he was puffing on a cigar, and Kian had the sudden urge to go to the roof of the office building and smoke one himself.
Fates knew he needed that even though it was not even lunchtime yet.
It had been a stressful week.
"The structural engineers completed their assessment," Losham said. "The remaining support columns in the basement are compromised, which is not surprising given the forces involved in the collapse. The chief engineer insists on constructing a temporary support system before any debris removal can resume. He demands steel beams and reinforced bracing, and he will not clear the site until these are in place."
"How long will it take to put it up?" Kian asked.
