Page 163 of Us Defiant Few

Brock stood in the background, arms crossed, his intense gaze on Serene, but he paid close attention to Takeshi’s every word.

Winnie stepped forward, her purple dress flowing to the floor, her head barely reaching his chest.

Takeshi flinched, waiting for the backlash.

But Winnie threw her arms around his waist. “Winnie missed you.”

His mouth parted, muscles freezing up. But he slowly hugged her back, warmth spreading in his eyes like the desert sun.

“I missed you too, Win.”

Takeshi approached Serene next, and he reached out his hand in greeting. She rolled her eyes and gave him a hug.

“Believe it or not, you don’t annoy me as much anymore,” she muttered, like it was the highest compliment. “But hurt my sister again and I’ll break your balls.”

Serene patted him on the back with an innocent smile, while Brock grinned savagely behind her.

“You’ll never have to worry about that.” Takeshi’s voice deepened as he threaded his fingers through Khalani’s.

Brock stepped forward from the shadows, giving her a once-over. “Feeling better?”

“Oh, you know.” Khalani shrugged. “Just a little stab wound. Nothing a girl can’t handle.”

“Don’t I know it.” Brock snorted before shifting his gaze to Takeshi, the tension building in the air. “Your stomach looks bigger.”

“Wish I could say the same for your brain.”

Oh no.

They were about to fight.

Khalani glanced around, searching for a weapon that might help separate them.

But they both grinned at the same time and gave each other a manly slap on the back.

Her mouth hung open.

Takeshi winked at her and pulled her toward the exit. When they exited the hospital, she shielded her eyes from the sun’s bright glare, white spots covering her vision.

The echo of hammers and reverberated around her. And when she lowered her hand, her body teetered in shock, like the world was tilting on its axis.

They stood in the city of Genesis.

Hundreds of people milled about, chatting and working together. And judging by the nature of their clothing, it wasn’t just the rich. The underground citizens of Apollo stood by their side, sweeping glass off the streets. They cleaned stores that had been ransacked. Rebuilt fallen structures.

Khalani had never thought she’d live to see such a sight.

People of all ages and backgrounds walked under the sun. In the distance, kids kicked a ball back and forth, and among them, she spotted a familiar figure.

“Derek!” she yelled.

He turned, a huge smile overcoming his face. He sprinted toward them and swooped Khalani up, twirling her around, trying not to squeeze her ribs too hard.

“You scared the cave lights out of us, Khalani,” Derek rasped, setting her down. “I’m glad to see you’re finally up. From what I heard, this one hasn’t left your side the entire week.”

She glanced at Takeshi, who smirked, not denying it.

“I’m so happy to see you.” Khalani wrapped Derek in another hug. “Penny and the others really are okay?”