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She dips her head. “How can I refuse such an offer?” That has the twins and Jamie yipping in excitement. My earlier smile returns, growing tenfold.
Our grandmother never misses an opportunity to love us. She’s ever-present, steadfast in how I always imagined a grandmother would be. It still surprises me that she took on the role of our house manager, risking her life to ensure we had family watching over us.
I’m jolted from my thoughts when water splashes me in the face. Wiping the water out of my eyes, I see the twins giggling at Jamie, whose arms are now crossed.
Shrugging, she unapologetically states, “Glad to have you back with us. Now, since you were daydreaming, you’re it.”
I hear our grandmother trying to cover up her amusement with a cough.
“Traitor,” I mumble but turn around and count to thirty.
We’re on our third round of the game when Dad comes outside. I’m not as angry with him today. He’s still not telling me anything, but I’m okay with not knowing for now. Once I calmed down, I recognized that my approach was all wrong.
“Ry, can you come inside for a bit? I have a few people I want you to meet.”
“Booooo,” Kell shouts from across the pool. “We’re playing a game, Dad.”
Dad’s lip quirks. “Sorry, Buddy. I promise she’ll be back in a bit.”
Kellan doesn’t look at all appeased by his response.
“Promise I’ll come right back,” I assure him as I climb out of the pool. I grab my towel, wrap it around me, then wring out the excess water in my hair. As droplets fall to the concrete, I examine my blue-black strands. It might be time for a change.
“Why don’t you grab something from the pool house to put on and then meet me in my office,” Dad instructs.
I nod, slipping on my sandals, and we part ways.
Once I’m dressed, I head inside, managing only to get lost once this time.
“Stupid freaking big-ass house with too many damn hallways,” I mumble.
I’m still learning where everything is, but the laughter coming from the room is a clear indicator I might be in the correct spot. Dad’s shout as I pass the room confirms it.
“We’re in here, Ry,” Dad announces, and I turn around, pushing the slightly ajar door open.
Entering the room, I see Tobias, who I’m starting to warm up to, Dad, Reign, and two other men I don’t recognize.
“Hey, Ariah,” Reign greets.
I give him a quick wave as I take my seat around the table. “Colorado is far from Edgewood. What are you doing out this way?” I ask Reign.
A throat clears. “I’ve invited Reign, Elias, and Fernando here,” Dad begins. My eyebrows arch, silently questioning why. I don’t have to wait long for an explanation. “They’re going to be the lead team on your security detail.”
Security detail? My nose scrunches in confusion. “Why do I need a security detail? I thought all that ended once I wasn’t—” I don’t finish my sentence. The reminder of what happened last month is like a knife to the chest. I rub at the spot where hope used to sit. Clenching my teeth, I blink away the building tears.
So much for not thinking about them today.
“Unfortunately, the threat is still high. Until we’ve found all the members of the Filiae Bellonae, we can’t leave you unprotected,” Tobias explains.
I’d argue, but it makes sense. They made it clear the other night. Someone out there wants us dead. What doesn’t make sense is why. Elise was clear that her objective was to ensure I solidified my spot by joining the two organizations. I can’t do that if I’m dead. I know something bigger is happening. I just don’t have all the pieces to put it together.
“Okay,” I sigh. Both Tobias and Dad look shocked. “What, did you think I was going to argue? I might be stubborn, but I’m not stupid. There’s too much at stake for me to act like I’m a one-woman army. I’m not freaking Natasha Romanoff.”
“Who?” Tobias questions. I huff a laugh at the puzzled look on his face.
“The Black Widow,” Elias answers. “She’s a badass spy from Marvel.”
As Elias explains who Natasha is, I study him and Fernando. Both men look nearly identical. However, where Fernando has white-blond wavy hair, emerald eyes, and olive skin with bronze undertones, Elias has straight, dirty-blond hair, bluish-gray eyes, and olive skin with a more golden brown hue. And like Reign, they look like they never skip a day at the gym. Their postures give off military, and knowing Mikhael, they have extensive combat training if they’re here with Reign.
