“You don’t ask for much, do you?” Gabe said. “Misty is still new at this.”
“I don’t know how to do something that complicated. I can go on my own world tour and drop postcards from them in the mail. Can anyone fake their handwriting?”
“I can probably do that with a sample,” Antonio said. “How about you, Kristine? Do you know how to go back in time and invent a whole contest?”
Kristine shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I’m still learning my muse role too. I can manipulate time a little bit, but that’s all.”
“Damn. Then we’re screwed,” Antonio said.
“No, you’re not. I’m more experienced, and sure’n I can come up with somethin’.” Chloe’s voice came from the ether, and then she stepped out of thin air.
“You didn’t think you were going to have a family meeting without us, did you?” Ryan stepped out of the same rift in the air, holding Chloe’s hand.
The whole family rose to greet them. Hugs and slaps on the back were given all around.
“Let me set more places!” Gabriella hurried to the hutch to find more plates and mugs.
“It looks like you’re going to need to buy more dishware,” Luca said and laughed. “And silverware, and napkins…”
“And maybe another leaf in the table,” Antonio said. “Especially if the new girlfriends become more than that.”
“True. It sounds like Noah was ready to sacrifice himself for this Kizzy girl. Is that her real name, by the way?” Miguel asked.
“Yup. At least that’s what Noah said. We spoke to him after he introduced her to us. And we’ve gotten to know her better recently.”
“Is Dante just as serious about Mallory?” Gabe asked.
“Even more so,” Gabriella said. “And I couldn’t be happier for them. Both girls are absolutely lovely.” As she poured Antonio’s coffee and began walking around the table, pouring a cup for everyone who didn’t place their hand over their mug, she added, “Dante was talking about moving in with Mallory.”
“That was supposed to be kept confidential,” Antonio said.
“Your father was sworn to secrecy, butIwasn’t,” she sang.
The family laughed.
“Okay then. What do you need us to do?” Jayce asked. “I’m assuming there’s more to the story. You could’ve just texted us and told us the excuse you’d come up with.”
Antonio cleared his throat. “You’re right. There’s more to the story. A lot more. Apparently, there are some scary people down in Brazil, and they’re giving Kizzy’s family a run for their money. Or whatever it is they want from them.”
“It’s got to be more than money,” Kristine said. “Goddess knows there are wealthy people a lot closer to these enemies in Brazil.”
“Yes.” Antonio folded his hands on top of the table. “As you know, we have some distant relatives in the Amazon rain forest.”
“It sounds like you’re ready to get involved and include some distant relatives, Dad, but you don’t even know what this group wants? That’s not like you,” Jayce said.
“You’re right. It isn’t, usually. Or it wasn’t until you and your brothers defied me to help Kristine down in New York.”
She smiled. “And thank goodness you did. Without all of you, Jayce couldn’t have kept me from revealing my dragon form to half of Manhattan, and I couldn’t have rescued my mother without him.”
“And we’re glad you all did what you decided to do too,” Gabriella said.
Antonio gave them all the hairy eyeball, one by one around the table. “But don’t ever defy me again. We really have to pick our battles.”
“So you’re giving the okay for this one,” Jayce said. “I’m glad. If our brothers need us, we’re going to be there for them, no matter what.”
Antonio nodded. “That’s how I raised you to be. Even the fire service reinforces it.”
“So let’s summarize what we know so far,” Jayce said. “There’s a scary group in South America. We have relatives in South America. Are we going to involve them?”
