Page 214 of Wild Card

Worry lines etch at the creases of their eyes as they take me in with caution.

These are the strongest women I know.

They aren’t freaking; they’reconveningon how to support and react when and if the time comes.

I shake out of my stupor, straightening my spine.

There’s a man out there we all adore who is potentially in danger. A man who didn’t know me and still waded into the messy business of my sister.

He’s friend and family to this crew.

Which now includes me.

“We don’t have much time. Think you can give me a crash course in how this may go?”

They grin approvingly.

Then my schooling begins.

I sweepthrough the kitchen once more, making sure nothing is out of place. A rustling, followed by a canine snore, pulls my attention to the living room where Wolf and Mack are laid on each side of Wyatt, whose eyes are finally drooping.

I go to him, sitting at the end of the air mattress. “Hey, buddy.”

“Hey, Lolo.”

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“Because I’m scared.”

My heart squeezes, and I grab his hand. “You want me to sleep with you?”

“No, I’m scared that if I fall asleep, the funnest day of my life will end.”

I grin at his term, knowing exactly how he feels. “That’s understandable.”

“It is?”

“Sure, you’ve had a great day. What was your favorite part?”

His green eyes are exhausted but bright with delight. “All of it.”

“How about winning the game?”

“That was cool.”

“The ice cream sundae?”

“It was good.”

I still haven’t hit the mark.

“Hmmm.” I scratch my chin and pretend to ponder. “How about when Talon surprised us with a pool party, cook-out, and double dose of s’mores?”

I know I’ve hit the mark, but there’s one more thing. “Or the fact Talon, Ford, Ace, Major, Finn, Robbie, and Declan built you this massive and highly engineered fort?”

And that’s it, his face lights up brighter than Christmas. “Isn’t it awesome?”

“It’s beyond any fort your dad and I made as kids.”

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