Page 48 of A Long Way Home

“Hasn’t she been through enough?” Matthias glares at her from the doorway. My heart skips at thesight of him.

“She deserves to know.”

“What? Tell me,” I say.

Callie grabs her med kit with one hand, stretching to full height before she gives him a stern look - the first time I’ve seen her anything but large, innocent eyes and bubbly smiles.

“Either you tell her, or I will.” She turns back to me with a smile. “There's a crew meeting in an hour.” And with that, she bids me farewell with a finger wave and leaves.

I turn to Matthias. “Well...?” He squirms under my gaze. “What was that all about?”

He sighs in defeat. Scrubbing his palm over his handsome face before he turns to me and holds me by my shoulders. “I was hoping to spare you all this a little longer.”

“All what?” I look to Luca, who fidgets beside me.

“I didn’t want you to feel trapped–”

I hold my hand up to cut him off. “If this is about Luca,heandIcan discuss itback on Earth.”

“I hope he’s patient.” He snorts.

I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Luca sighs. “It’s Earth. There’s been a development.”

My frown deepens.

ALEX

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I knew this was too bloody good to be true.

Why change the story of a lifetime just because he claims to have changed. This is just like before - secrecy in the guise of protection.

News flash - I don’t need protection. This isn’t Victorian-era England. I don’t need a man to hold my hand and make the tough decisions on my behalf, sparing my weak feminine sensibilities. I can handle more than he gives me credit for.

I push onwards along the main corridor and head towards… Cupola? Leonardo? I don’t know where. I don’t care where. I just needspace.

I hear Matthias thundering behind me. Thatarsehole. When was he going to tell me that my trip home had been delayed?Indefinitely.

Rage blooms inside me, boiling my blood, and pulling tight my last nerve, ready to snap at the very next something that comes between me and answers. Or someone, I quickly realise as a hand grips my elbow.

I whirl around, ready to punch Matthias right in hishandsome face.

I realise my mistake mere seconds before my clenched fist collides with Matherson’s once delicate features.

“Fuck me, Peake. You’ve got a mean left hook.” She clutches at her nose, wiping one hand on the leg of her jumpsuit, leaving a smear of red behind.

“Last time I do a favour for Cassidy,” she mutters as she pinches the bridge of her nose, instinctively holding her head back as if that might stem the flow of blood streaming from her nostrils in tiny crimson bubbles.

“Sorry. I thought you were Matthias.”

She raises a brow but otherwise nods understanding.

“Clayton wanted me?” I ask.

Her eyes narrow at that.

---