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“The Omicron was scary, but Commander Lachlan was nice. He kept us safe. Captain Broderick of the Centauri? Yeah, he’s... intense? No, he likes things more structured. But he was fine until we took the detour for the battle—then we were locked down for days.” She shrugs. “But it is what it is.”
“What it is, is a lot. You’ve been through a lot, and it’s okay to find your footing.”
“Footing. That’s funny. So, do you have a tail now?”
I suck in my lip.
“No shit. You do. You have an f’n tail. I want to see it.”
“It’s new. But yes, I’ll show you.”
“And those four dudes out there? They’re yours.”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“Because the rest are looking at me like I’m the daily special.” She shrugs.
“Right, you kind of are. But you don’t have to be. My mate, Castor, has a way of getting you to Athens, and then to wherever you want.”
“I don’t really have a home anymore. You’re all we have. Here’s good for now.” Marlee pulls out a necklace from under hood. And my heart jumps.
“Is that mine?”
“I sure hope so.” She pulls it off and puts it around my neck.
I stare down at it. “I can’t believe you found it.” I pull her into a hug. “Thank you. I thought it was gone forever.” I smile at her. I can’t believe she’s here. “I’m sorry how everything happened. And if you want to go I understand. But with you here now, it really does feel like home.”
Marlee glances across the platform. “I don’t think I’m going to get Mom to go anywhere. I’ll stay for a while, I guess.”
Aunt Blair is holding Forrest’s hand, laughing.
I smile. “Yeah, I don’t think Aunt Blair’s going anywhere.”
47
HOLTER
“You’re sure you’re okay to stay here by yourself?” Belle asks Marlee again.
“Definitely. Just me and the sharks outside.” Marlee laughs. And we all know it’s not Belle’s pets she’s talking about but the males that Mickey keeps chasing off. “Besides, Mom should be back from her date soon.”
“Right.” Belle gives Marlee another hug.
“I’m good. One mom is enough. Thanks, though.” Marlee sticks her tongue out at Belle.
“Okay. We’ll be back.” Belle turns, and the blue and gold ribbon she wore back on the Centauri shines in her golden hair.
“I’ll be here.” Marlee points to the sofa she’s been on for the last two weeks. One thing Belle and Marlee have in common is a love of reading. Other than that, I don’t see any similarities.
Belle takes my hand and Nico’s. She winks at Castor. One of Castor’s mother’s huge black omadas is at the dock.
Milo, Castor’s youngest brother, is there next to it. “Sirs, Madam, I have your ride for the evening.”
“Really now?” I cock my head over Belle at Nico. I thought we were just going out to dinner—why would we need a driver? Nico looks as confused as me. I glance back at Eros and Castor. They’re not as innocent. My eyebrows rise as I lean into Castor’s youngest brother and say, “What are you doing here, Milo?”
“Nothing else to do but drive your lovely mate and your sorry asses around.” He winks at me and whispers, “You’re going to love it.”
We take a drive to the Razor Edge, and they have a table waiting for us. The maître d’ kisses the back of Belle’s gloved hand. “It’s amazing to have such intelligence and beauty with us this evening.”
