We began to collect our coffee mugs and head for the door when Patrick added, “I don’t think Ruby is as upset about being summoned home as Maddie expected. Ruby was happy to be back at the academy, but she’s also excited to welcome her new brother. This way she has an excuse to stay near Maddie.”
As Sparrow placed his palm over the scanner, Patrick’s computer made a noise.
“What?” I asked.
Patrick quickly returned to his screen. “There’s a match on the DNA found in the blood that was in the cell with Lorna’s.”
Lorna
A feeling of warmth came over me as everyone from throughout our tower gathered for breakfast. The aroma of food filtered through the air, sautéed onions and peppers as well as bacon. Greetings came as each person entered. As coffee and juice were sought and the constant chatter came from around the large kitchen, I took a moment to take in what at one time had been routine—the beginning to another day.
I turned as a gentle hand came to my shoulder. Araneae’s soft brown eyes glistened with unshed moisture, yet her expression was filled with happiness.
“It feels good, doesn’t it?” she asked softly.
“Being here?” I confirmed her meaning.
She shrugged. “All of it.” She looked over the room. “I can’t help but think that we could have lost this.”
Swallowing a lump growing in my throat, I nodded. The men had all entered, their discussion on the surprise ending to a football game as they all took turns refilling their coffee mugs.
“Reid rarely watches football,” I whispered.
“Neither does Sterling.”
“I’ve never seen Patrick watch either,” Madeline added as she reached for a large platter of scrambled eggs cooked with chopped vegetables.
Araneae shook her head. “They’re keeping things from us.”
I had taken a quick look at the news on my phone before coming up to the penthouse. I spoke louder. “Oh my. Did you see the play where the Bears’ quarterback was injured?”
All four sets of male eyes turned my way before murmurs arose as they exchanged glances amongst themselves. “I-I...”
“You didn’t watch the game,” Araneae chastised the men as she carried a bowl of fruit and placed it on the large granite table.
“The quarterback was injured?” Laurel asked. “I didn’t know that.”
“He wasn’t,” I answered. “It was a ploy to call these poor actors out on their attempt to keep all of us shielded from the truth of what they were discussing ten seconds before they entered the kitchen.”
“Hockey,” Mason volunteered. “The Black Hawks—”
“Liar,” I replied, interrupting my brother. “You can’t lie to me. I know your tells.”
Madeline smiled. “He tilts his head slightly to the left and his lips thin.”
“I do not,” Mason replied, lifting his coffee mug to cover his lips.
We all laughed.
“You’re right,” I told Madeline.
Her brows arched as her gaze widened. “That’s my thing.”
“Mine too,” Patrick said. “Of course, I never used it to win poker tournaments.”
“Except the one where you beat me,” Madeline said, feigning a frown.
Patrick reached for her hand. “It was the best win of my life.”
Her frown turned upside down as pink filled her cheeks. “I’m not complaining—now.”
“Where’s your daughter?” Araneae asked as we all took our seats.
Madeline sighed. “I’d assume Ruby is still asleep.”
“She’s on a forced vacation,” Sparrow said. “Let her sleep.”
“Are you going to be as accommodating to our child?” Araneae asked.
Sparrow flashed a grin at his wife. “You know me. I’m always accommodating.”
“Well, we’re not,” Madeline said.
“The academy sent her schoolwork so she wouldn’t fall behind,” Patrick added. “Not really a vacation, forced or not.”
The conversation stayed on the mundane, and as it did and I listened and participated, I realized that I was perfectly all right with the theme. I imagined scenes and players as Madeline told stories about the poker circuit and tournaments around the world. We shared our enthusiasm as Araneae shared news about a new line of merchandise her fashion company Sinful Threads was about to showcase for the holiday buying season.
As we ate the food Madeline and I had prepared together, I sipped my coffee and relished the simplicity of this time together while simultaneously wondering how very close we had been to losing it.
While we—the Sparrow women—lived in our bubble, we weren’t without knowledge. Despite the sparsity of information shared by our men, we were aware of the fires beyond our walls. We ladies knew that we were sequestered within for the foreseeable future, yet complaining or arguing was not on any of our agendas.
After whatever Araneae and I had been through, we were home and safe. Despite my outward appearance, I was loved thoroughly by my husband and also by the family surrounding me—the sense of camaraderie felt special in a way I couldn’t describe. The recurring thought returned.
I am somebody.
A sudden chill replaced the warmth.
“Are you all right?” Laurel asked.
Pushing the odd thought away, I nodded. “I really am.”
As plates and mugs emptied, the men began bidding their goodbyes. Sparrow was off to Michigan Avenue after first whisking Araneae off to the other room. I could imagine their discussion. The queen was reassuring the king she would survive for a few hours out of his sight. It wasn’t one he would appreciate having overheard, as in his facade, all decisions were his alone.
When she returned alone and winked my direction, I knew without a doubt, she’d sent him away to do what he needed to do. Mason kissed Laurel as he mentioned doing some work around the city. That was a broad statement that never came with any further explanation. As Patrick and Reid stood to leave and the four of us began clearing the table, Ruby entered.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Patrick said.
At eighteen, Ruby was beautiful beyond her years. With her father’s vibrant blue eyes and her mother’s delicate features and long dark hair, even in soft pants, an oversized shirt, and bare feet, she was truly stunning.
“I was awake. I was checking email.”
We all turned her direction.
She lifted her hands. “Steady. I didn’t reply. I know I can’t.”
“We’ll get that set up,” Reid volunteered. He was working on resetting the VPN and upgrading all of our security.
“Thanks, Reid,” Ruby said with a grin as I handed her a mug of hot chocolate. Her gaze met mine. “Thanks, Lorna. You don’t need to wait on me. I can get it.”
“I like making it. The chocolate smells heavenly.”
She lowered her lips to the rim and sipped. “Tastes that way too.”
“There’s still food on the table,” Madeline said as she gave her daughter a plate. “Then you can help us with dishes.”
“Or I can do my schoolwork.” Her cheeks rose with a grin. “But if you don’t want me to do my schoolwork...”