Page 61 of Wings
"I love you," I whispered, not caring that I was hiding in a supply closet like some teenager with a crush.
"Love you too, baby girl. Now go finish your shift. Stay alert but don't act different. We don't want Connor knowing he's been made."
"Yes, Daddy."
"That's my good girl."
The line went dead, but the warmth of his approval lingered. I tucked my phone away, straightened my scrubs, and headed back to the floor. Seven more hours of normal, of pretending nothing had changed.
"There you are!" Marcy waved me over. "Can you cover trauma three? Multi-vehicle accident coming in."
"On it." I grabbed gloves from the box, slipping into the familiar rhythm of emergency medicine.
But underneath the professional competence, a new certainty thrummed through my veins. I wasn't alone anymore. Whatever the Serpents were planning, whatever threat Connor represented, I had backup.
Gabe's motorcycle idled at the hospital's employee exit right on time, black and imposing against the afternoon glare. I'd changed out of my scrubs, but exhaustion from the extended shift clung to my bones like fog.
He was out and helping me with the helmet before I reached the curb. Not flashy, not making a show of it, just there. Solid and real and exactly what I needed after seven hours of pretending everything was normal.
"How you holding up?" His hand found the small of my back as I climbed on, steadying me. He took his place in front.
"Tired." I settled in behind him, letting my head fall back. "But okay. No more Connor sightings."
"Good."
The drive to Duke's office was quiet. Not uncomfortable—Gabe didn't do nervous chatter—but weighted with what was coming. My stomach churned with a mix of exhaustion and anxiety.
We headed up to Duke's office. The Heavy King’s Prez was there, standing behind his imposing desk.
Thor already occupied one of the chairs, taking up space like he was trying to intimidate the furniture into submission. His scarred face shifted into something almost like concern when he saw me.
"Kiara." Duke's greeting was neutral, those calculating eyes taking in everything—my exhaustion, Gabe's protective hovering, the way I didn't shrink from the attention. "Heard you had an interesting morning."
Gabe's hand found my elbow, guiding me to a chair right beside his.
He looked at me, and there was such trust in his eyes it made my chest tight. "Tell them what you told me."
Not "let me explain" or "here's what happened." He was putting me forward, letting me own my intel. It felt momentous.
I straightened in the chair, finding my voice. "I saw Connor—one of the Serpents—watching our supply transfer this morning. His bike was positioned across Riverside Park with clear sightlines to us."
Duke leaned back, fingers steepled. "You're certain?"
"Positive." I met his gaze steadily. "It was the same guy who approached me."
"He what?" Thor's voice dropped to something dangerous.
I glanced at Gabe, who nodded encouragement. Right. They needed the full picture. "Last week at Rosario's. He was watching us eat."
Thor grunted approval while Duke absorbed this information. Neither of them looked at me like I was hysterical or overreacting. They took my words as seriously as they'd take any brother's intel.
"How long was he there? At the park?" Duke asked.
"Unclear. He was already in position when we arrived at eight." I thought back, pulling up details. "But the park opens at dawn. He could have been waiting."
"Or followed one of you." Thor's contribution made my blood chill.
"No." Gabe's certainty was absolute. "I ran SDR—surveillance detection routes. No tail."
