I shake my head, then yank my tank off. Kellan is standing at the side of the pool, preparing to belly flop when I slide into the heated water.
Jamie swims across the deep end as I watch the twins take turns, seeing who can create the biggest splash.
“Let’s play Marco Polo,” Jamie suggests once she reaches me.
“Oh, we haven’t played that in years. See if the boys want to,” I instruct, and she disappears under the water.
A smile crests my face, a foreign feeling since we arrived here last month. But in moments like this, where my siblings are laughing instead of worrying, I can momentarily forget the sting of betrayal that caused me to move across the country.
Jamie and the twins are swimming toward me when I hear footsteps approaching. I shield my eyes from the sun in time to see my grandmother. Her warm gaze connects with mine. “Having fun?” she asks.
“Get in and play with us,” Ky demands, making her laugh.
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, Emma,” Reign greets.
I give him a quick wave as I take my seat around the table. “Colorado is far from Calloway. 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.
“So you guys are basically going to be my shadow for the foreseeable future?” It’s more of a statement than a question, but Reign answers.
“Like a second skin.”
Snorting, I retort, “More like an unknown antibiotic-resistant rash.” The room erupts into laughter.
Dad stands. “Since you took this better than I expected, why don’t I show the guys to their rooms and give them a tour of the security room.”
I roll my eyes as they exit. “I’m not even going to justify that comment with a response,” I mutter, and my grandfather coughs, trying to cover up his snickers.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.