Page 66 of Broken Trust
Suddenly, Alyssa’s chair scraped on the floor, and the air felt tight with the kind of pressure that usually broke with bad news.
She perched on the edge of her seat and cleared her throat, a noise Elin recognized was the universal call to attention.
“Um…” Alyssa pushed her chair back a little more. “I’d like to say something to you all.”
The chatter died instantly. All eyes focused on Alyssa, the poised and strong former ambassador who was currently hiding from Cipher. Right this moment, her cheeks were pink and her eyes were bright.
Chase nodded. “Go ahead.”
She sent a loving glance at her significant other, who grinned back. “Some of you saw Dr. Patir on base the other day. Even though Con was trying to dispel the rumors, I’ve heard some of them. I want you to all rest assured that everything isfine. Chase, show them.”
He fished something from his shirt pocket. Then he held up a small, glossy photo between two fingers.
An ultrasound.
“Alyssa’s pregnant.”
“We’re pregnant!” Alyssa’s voice vibrated with joy.
For half a breath, the room stilled.
Then it exploded.
Cheers broke out like gunfire that left people laughing instead of ducking for cover. Chairs scraped back and everyone was on their feet.
Con’s usually composed face cracked into a grin. The guys clapped Chase on the back and gave Alyssa light hugs or squeezes on her shoulder.
Of course, all the women knew already, including Elin, who liked to think she helped by procuring that pregnancy test.
She sent Sinner a look, and he gave her a single nod in return. The man had kept her secret—and by default Alyssa’s—and she was glad to have him as a friend.
Swept up in the flood of joy, Elin rose with the others, joining in the applause.
Chase held up the ultrasound again. “Say hello to the next generation of chaos!”
“To the new recruit!” Dante thrust his bottled water in the air.
“To the new recruit!” echoed around the room, all their drinks raised.
Suddenly, Elin’s throat tightened in a way that nothing to do with tears and everything to do withlonging. Inside her, something fragile shifted.
Watching Alyssa glow and seeing the sheer pride on Chase’s face—it felt like looking through a window at a world she’d never believed she could step into.
Babies. Families. Futures.
Her next home was wherever the work carried her. A digital nomad didn’t plant roots or dream of nurseries. Her life was new hotels, new systems to hack, people to help.
These people…they formed a family that wasn’t born of blood but out of loyalty and the shared goal to make the world a better place. They were part of something she wanted but could never have.
And for so long, she thought the only man she had ever imagined that life with was dead.
Liam’s gaze found hers then, as if he heard her thoughts, or maybe the painful thud of her heart.
His gaze intensified, and she had to look away before her expression revealed her feelings.
Someone played some upbeat music on their phone, and for a moment, the base felt like a real home.
But this wasn’t her world.
