Page 53 of After 5

“Surely they would have a date if they’re going to dump Caiyan in the past during the next moon cycle.” A surge of relief flooded me. If they didn’t tie the knot before the moon cycle, he wouldn’t be dropped in the middle of a major Civil War battle.

“Can’t be the July cycle if he’s going to the Civil War,” Ace interrupted my happy thoughts.

“Right. They don’t have time to plan the wedding,” I said, performing a wacky celebration dance.

“No, hon, your sexy Scot’s already been there.”

“Wait…What?”

“Well, yeah. He went to Gettysburg when he was on holiday from the WTF.”

“Are you sure?” Caiyan had mentioned there was a time he wasn’t working for the WTF, but her never told me about Gettysburg.

“One hundred percent. Caiyan left the WTF and went all maverick on us. Brodie baby and I had to chase his brigand behind all over that pigeonhole of a town. It’s a wonder I didn’t get me bum shot right out from under me.”

“Does Jake know?”

“I’m not sure. Caiyan had his knickers twisted over something stamped confidential by our fearless leaders.” Ace paused. “I remember because that was the trip your love bunny returned to us.”

“What do you mean?”

“We caught him by his shorthairs and brought him in.”

“You caught him?” I asked.

“Are you doubting Brodie’s mad skills? I was at the tail end of the capture. I transported him back to base.”

“I thought he returned on his own accord.”

“Doll, your Scot doesn’t do anything without a fight. As I recall, both men were pretty scuffed up, a real tantalizing testosterone smorgasbord.”

Silence filled the line. I didn’t know how to respond to the information Ace told me.

“Hon, you still there?”

“Yeah, just glad to hear Caiyan can’t go to Gettysburg.”

“If I ’ear any deets, I promise you’ll be the first one I call.”

“Thanks Ace.”

“Sure thing, hon.” We disconnected.

Smoke jumped on the bed next to Gertie and she gave him a scratch behind his ears. “Did I hear that correctly?” she asked me.

“Caiyan has already been to Gettysburg.” The news that Caiyan couldn’t go to Gettysburg should have been comforting, but something didn’t settle right with me.

“The next major battle that lines up with the moon cycle would be Fredericksburg,” Gertie said.

“When was that one?”

“December, 1862.”

“At least that gives us time to prepare.” And another five months without Caiyan. How long would he be married to Satan’s bitch before they dropped him in the past?

“Do you think she’ll keep her last name or take his?” I asked.

“Hyphenated, for sure,” Gertie said. “She’s not going to lose her Mafuso connection. I can’t believe this is happening. It should be me walking down that aisle.”

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