Idris pulls a small card from his pocket. “Here’s my number, if you’re interested.”
I roll the card between my fingers and read the title under his name. “Trauma surgeon?” I ask, smirking. “Think you can cut it outta me?”
His lips curve up too. “I could try,” he says, “but I spend more time helping Em remake drugs and rewire brains than cut into bodies these days.”
I down the last sip from my flask. “Feels like the start of a terrible idea.”
“Some terrible ideas become breakthroughs,” Idris says.
“Others become lawsuits,” I counter.
He stands, chuckling again. “I hope you choose the ship, Stan. You deserve a chance to become more than what your past made you.”
My chest gets tight. That was so well-said.Ugh.
He gives me one last charming smile before walking away, his steps silent on the snow.
I watch him go, while the fire crackles in front of me like it’s whisperingcowardat me.
I eye the card, flipping it over, his offer running through my head. A ship. An experiment. A woman named Em. Maybe I’ll get on that boat. Just to see what happens.
Honestly, at this point, I’d rather be strapped to a lab table than keep hearing Elle and Kaye make those sounds through their bedroom walls like I didn’t hear ‘emfirst.Before my brothers ever did.
1
Stan
February 14 — Manila, Philippines
One flight from the impossible cold to impossible heat, and I’m standing by the altar thinkingyep, it’s really happening. Sterling’s about to marry Elle. Any minute now. My most murderous brother is marrying the sweetest girl in the world.What a pair.
I eye Sterling. His light gray hair stands out more when he’s wearing such a dark tux. His gray eyes give away his emotions, more than they ever have.
He’s changed. As much as he’s taken lives as a mercenary, he’s been doing much less killing and much moresavinglately. I’m gonna give Elle credit for that. She could make anyone believe in the good in the world.
And Elle hasn’t walked through the church doors yet, but she’s making Sterlingsweat. He’s doing a damn good job pretending he’s not on the verge of a full-blown panic attack. And I’d know. I’ve seen that man gut people with less composure than he’s using right now to hold a ring box he doesn’t trust either Damon or me to hold for him. Which,fair. I’d be too tempted to swallow that thing andsprint to someplace they’ll never catch me.
But wanna know the worst part of this wedding? It’s breathtakingly, obnoxiously beautiful. I mean,offensivelybeautiful. The kind of picture-perfect wedding that’d need a year of planning to brag about it for the next decade. Except this one came together in only a few months, ‘cause Kaye and Damon apparently operate like goddamn wedding warlords.
Sterling didn’t even want this whole affair. He would’ve been fine getting married in his bunker. But Elle would want something this special. Hell, shedeservesit after everything she had to go through. And Sterling—despite being my emotionally bulletproof brother—would set fire to the sky if Elle even looked a bit cold.
So here we are. In Manila, half of Elle’s roots. February tropic heat sizzling in every corner. The venue’s a beachfront so private that the sea looks like it glitters for her. After all the suffering she’s survived, Elle deserves this and then some.
There’s white silk chairs. Coconut palms standing tall. Real petals lining the aisle. No expense spared. No elegance left out. Elle gets the best, because sheisthe best.
I stand just to the side of Damon, while I’m trying not to sweat through my dress shirt, or think about how the last time I saw Elle in white, she was between me and Sterling, in his bed, in his cabin. Only months ago. But now she’ll be stepping up to the altar soon.
I sigh, scanning the place. There’s only a scant number of guests. But I’m sure it’ll be the talk of the town.
Kaye’s across from us in a slip dress and heels that can double as knives. She’s the maid of honor, obviously. She and Elle are basically sisters.
Sitting at the front row are Naomi and Jade. Mother figures to my girls. Former close friends of Clo, my coma mama who made everything go goddamn sideways for everyone. Especiallyher friends. But that’s a story for another day.
Now, I can’t stop looking at Kaye. All that shimmer and sly sweetness. Those brown eyes and thick lashes that flutter like they know exactly what they’re doing. She glances this way. AtDamon.
Even though he looks as stiff as stone, I catch him shuffling subtly to prove thatyes, this human statue brother of mine does, in fact, have feelings.
Somehow, Kaye helped Damon find his heart. And she’s had it in her hands ever since. Boy, does she wield that thing like a weapon. It’s awful. It’s beautiful. I might throw up breakfast.
