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There’s no turning back now. I’m already here and just have to hope my plan will work.
We reach Dad’s house and slip inside. We have to move in the dark, so Mrs. Noah, our neighbor, doesn’t notice any of the lights on.
Our clothes aren’t dripping anymore, but I’m still freezing, and so is Kenzo.
“You can shower first while I put the clothes in the dryer.” I nudge Kenzo toward the bathroom.
“Kid, seriously, you have nothing I haven’t seen before, and your lips are fucking blue. Get your ass in here.”
I’m yanked into the tiny bathroom and watch as Kenzo turns on the faucets. I stand frozen as he tugs the bag off my back.
“I don’t wanna be here a second longer than I have to,” He says. “Strip out of the wet clothes and get under the spray.”
My cheeks flush, and I blink at the man who’s clearly lost his mind.
When he notices, he shakes his head. “I see you as nothing more than a little sister. A frozen one, at that. As much as I love you, there’s none of that crazy crap happening, so get out of the clothes and get your butt in the shower.”
I nod and slip my sneakers off. I don’t look at Kenzo, hearing his wet clothes hit the tiles.
I peel mine off, but I keep my underwear on. I don’t care what he says, there’s no way I’m getting naked in the shower with him.
My eyes have a mind of their own. One that doesn’t have common sense because the second Kenzo moves in under the water, I look at him.
When I see he’s also wearing his underwear, relief washes over me, along with the warm water. I think I would’ve gone blind from shock if he was naked.
Kenzo grabs my shoulder and pulls me against his bare chest. He wraps his arms around me, rubbing warmth into my back, then we stand for a while under the water, just soaking up the heat.
Standing in my underwear, I ask, “Did you undress me the night of the initiation?”
He pauses for a moment, then answers, “Yes.”
“Why did you do that, Kenzo?” I whisper. “I trusted you.”
I press my cheek against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, just wanting to know why he was the one to undress me.
“Oh, kid.” he sighs above my head. “You know, I waited for you by the chickens, hoping you’d get over it and come. You’re more stubborn than Rachel, though.” He chuckles, and his chest moves against my cheek. “Chance took you off the nest before I could. If it makes it any better, I did it because I didn’t want someone else touching you. I did it to protect you. I did it for Rachel.”
“I think if I had known about you and my mother, it would’ve made things easier,” I admit.
“I didn’t tell you because I wanted you to get stronger.”
I understand that now.
“Come on, kid. Make me some coffee while we wait for the clothes to dry.”
Chapter 16
Jai
Kenzo inspects the guns in the light of my glofish tank. I bring our coffee, and while we drink the warm beverages, I help him check the clips. In total, we have six guns and enough ammunition to make a dent in the enforcers if we have to fight our way into the building where the laboratories are.
“You did good, kid,” Kenzo says, a pleased smile on his face. “We’ll need every bit of firepower we can get our hands on.” He shoves the backpack over to me. “Put it in the dryer.”
I do as he says while making sure the towel remains secure around my body.
When we’re done drinking the coffee, I say, “I’m going to put on virtuous clothes. I’ll be able to blend in with them.”
“Yeah.” He walks to a window and glances outside. “I’ll wait down here.”
Rushing up the stairs, I walk into my old bedroom, and I’m hit with a pang of nostalgia. I glance at the pristine room, not a thing out of place.
Opening the closet door, I take out one of my outfits and get dressed in the dry clothes. The shirt and pants feel stuffy and restrictive. It’s nothing like the casual clothes I’ve gotten used to wearing since I left the ecocity.
Suddenly I hear voices murmuring below, and I rush out of my bedroom. Reaching the top of the stairs, I crouch down to make sure it’s safe. It won’t help if I run into the enemy's arms, and I won’t be able to help Kenzo if I’m caught as well.
“She’s my daughter!” I hear my mother hiss.
Holy crap. How did she get here this fast?
“Did you expect me to let her come by herself?” Kenzo snaps at her.
“I expected you to stop her, Kenzo. She shouldn’t be here. If we could find you so easily, they will too!” she whisper-shouts at him.
