Page 36 of Princess

“I agree with Cabel.We’ve made little forward progress,” he said.“We got lucky before the Federation attacked.We knew they were coming and still had casualties.We need to do something unexpected.I’m willing to go.”

I stared at him for a moment.My mind snapped to a certain young woman who liked him.I turned to King, and he looked just as shook up as I was.It would be a suicide mission.

“I will think about it,” I told him.“I’m not saying yes or no right now.This needs to be thought through before we try something so rash.You also need to know that you are part of my family and I love you like a brother.”

Alden’s face flushed.

“I think it’s a good plan,” volunteered Cabel saving Alden from further embarrassment.

Of course he did.Everyone was challenging Beck’s spot for being a pain in my ass.

“I have a meeting about the children and need to get it started,” I said.“Cabel and Alden can think about the problems associated with Alden’s plan and if there is any way around those problems.After the meeting about the children, I would like to speak with Eagle and Rodrigo.Can you arrange it?”I asked Nokita.

He looked perplexed, and I knew it was because of Rodrigo.Eagle, not so much.He was the person we needed to take Labyrinth’s place, even though it was hard.We couldn’t be shorthanded right now, especially if we put Alden’s harebrained plan into action.

“I’ll see it done,” Nokita agreed carefully.

“King, find the teenagers and send them here,” I told him.

“I would like to speak to you for a moment,” he said.

“If it’s about Rodrigo, I’m angry with you for not mentioning Missy’s labor, and won’t answer your questions until I’ve settled something with him.”

King grumbled.

“I would also like an update on Missy.I don’t know how long the meeting with the kids will last.”

“I’ll take care of it,” King said begrudgingly.

“I knew I could count on you,” I replied sardonically.

In less than sixty seconds, I was left alone.I placed a hand on my belly.“Your father is a jackass sometimes,” I whispered, “but you will love him as much as I do.”

The baby didn’t stir.He had finally exhausted himself after endless somersaults.I was okay with that.

Chapter Fifteen

Marinah

The meeting with Desmond, Julia, and several of the women who wanted to help and more than likely adopt went longer than expected.The women stayed silent because Desmond made himself a problem again.

“We did fine on our own,” he said angrily.

“From what Julia told us, you didn’t,” I replied, keeping my tone as even as possible.

He turned his eyes to me, and Ms.Beast grumbled.“People get sick.That’s what went wrong.If we hadn’t gotten sick, we would still be at our home.”

“We were near starving,” Julia said, giving her brother a hard stare.“That’s why we stayed at the outpost after we recovered.You always seem to forget that part.”

He went silent, and I took a minute to regroup.

“The people in this room want the same thing,” I finally said.“We want everyone on the island safe, fed, and to have a roof over their heads.Families are willing to take in the children and provide love and care.Children are treasured here, and they want it to be a permanent solution.”I stared at Desmond.“The kids trust you.Help them and give them a chance to be part of a family.”

His sneer was his answer, and I turned to Julia.“We have doctors and food stores.We have well-built homes and an underground network of tunnels if the island is attacked.Work details are chosen, not assigned in most cases, and the harder the work, the more time off.Shadow Warriors guard this island, but humans are the most valuable part of this world.It’s their island.You and the children could make it yours too.”

Her eyes slid to Desmond, then back to me.“My brother believes everyone is out to get us.We’ve trusted people before.”She looked down for a moment before meeting Desmond’s eyes.“What choice do we have?They flew us here.Are we going to swim back?”She touched his arm.“I know you love the kids as much as I do, but they are too young to care for each other or for themselves.They need help.We need help.”

“If we do this,” Desmond said, “we take away our options.”

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