Page 163 of Kai
For someone who was used to Kai’s company of one, this was a little weird. My bed now held four grown women, and my huge bedroom felt almost cozy with the big men claiming the space. The sight of so many bright auras blinded me, and the combined hums turned into a ruckus inside my head. A migraine was minutes away. Not to mention that I wore an ugly terrycloth robe over my pajamas, while everyone else dressed in proper clothes.
Kai’s gaze found mine. His indigo energy calmed me. His gaze reminded me of what was important:You are beautiful as you are. You are safe. I love you.
It was all I needed to know.
I blinked until everyone’s auras went away. No need to go blind or incite the migraine of a lifetime for no reason at all. When the lights ebbed and my mind grew quiet, I found my voice again. “Did you break the encryption?”
Mina flashed me a grin even as she typed at top speed. “Did you have any doubts I would?”
“It sounded like a tough job.”
“Tough is so underrated. I like it hard.” She shook her head, and her exuberant blonde curls shook around her brown forehead in tandem with her dangling earrings. “But who’s here to save the day?” She whooped as if she was a cowgirl. “Tell her, girls!”
“Mina Moses,” Thena and Missy recited in unison. “The universe’s supreme hacker.”
“She needs the positive reinforcement,” Missy whispered, pretending it was a secret, although apparently, it wasn’t.
I had a lot to learn about the family’s new dynamics, and I would. In time.
“We’re missing Fin and Matt,” Thena pointed out.
“They’re on guard duty,” Javier reported. “They’rewatching Levine, along with Sister Janet, who’s determined to save his soul.”
“Good luck with that,” I muttered.
“Saddle up, Moses.” Dash clasped his hands behind his back and paced at the foot of the bed. “What we got? Have you seen what’s in the file yet?”
“It’s a video track.” Squinting at her screen, she kept working. “It’s titled ‘To Cersi.’ I didn’t think it was my place to look before Cece did.”
“You’re one of us,” Thena reminded her, and me, too.
I hadn’t had enough time—or the courage—to bond with everyone, and that included the superstar hacker. But if my siblings trusted Mina, if they loved her like one of our own, then I trusted my sisters’ wisdom.
“I suspect that whatever is in here won’t be easy for you.” Mina’s sparkling eyes met my gaze. “I can open the file and leave if you want me to.”
“I shall leave as well,” Micah’s baritone announced. “After all, this is a family matter.”
He stressed the word “family.”
I got the message. He would not budge on the Affie front.
“Please, everyone, stay,” Thena said. “You’re both part of our family now.”
Micah met my eyes. “Your call, ma’am.”
Mina’s glance sparkled with a combination of curiosity and vulnerability. “What do you say, Sorceress?”
“Stay.” I backed Thena’s decision, but my voice came out iffy with apprehension.
“Aw.” Mina gave my thigh a little pat while she continued to press her keys. “You’re so sweet and kind. And here they told us you were a tough, wily witch. Oops.” She cringed and widened her eyes at me. “Sorry?”
“Don’t apologize.” I liked her candor. “Tough, wily, andwitch are all compliments to me, and your honesty reminds me of… well… me.”
“From one tough broad to the other, cheers and welcome, lost sister of my sisters.” She pressed a last key. “Here we go.”
“Wait.” Kai had been hovering close by, watching me, as if trying to guess the range of my emotions. Now he kicked off his shoes and climbed over Missy.
“Sorry. Excuse me. Apologies.” He slid behind me, and replacing the pillows, fitted himself at my back. “I’m here,” he whispered in my ear. “Right here.”
