long ago. I know that they…” She tilted her chin to the floor above. “…can be a bit overwhelming.”
“I really can’t believe we’re here.” Another gaze around the apartment revealed that beyond the tall windows, night had fallen. It was my second night here and Ruby’s third. “Or that here exists.”
“It does and it doesn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“Araneae jokes that the top floors of this building are invisible to the rest of the world. At first I laughed, but the longer I’ve been here, the more I think she’s on to something.”
My nose scrunched. “That’s not really possible.”
“Oh, I know. I know the science behind the properties of matter and know true invisibility isn’t possible. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Mason explained it as people seeing what they want to see. I’ve come to believe that the world can see the top of this building. What they can’t see is what we see when we look at it.”
“I’m not sure I’m following,” I admitted.
“The invisibility comes in the way it fits into the skyline. This building looks like other buildings. The only way to pick it out is to compare heights. But when I see the building from a distance, I don’t just see another building. I see my home, a place I never imagined living or wanting to be but where I feel the absolute safest and most loved. I don’t mean only by Mason. I mean by my sister- and brother-in-law and the Sparrows and even Patrick.”
“Wait,” I said, deciphering her statement by the process of elimination. “Are you saying Reid and Lorna are your brother- and sister-in-law?”
“Would you believe Reid and Mason are siblings?”
Well, Reid was black and Mason—didn’t seem to be, but under all those tattoos, anything was possible.
“Um,” I shrugged. “I’m shocked.”
Laurel laughed. “I’m teasing you. Lorna and Mason are siblings. That’s how Lorna has been around these men for so long. Mason brought her here a long time ago when things were dangerous. Even though he brought her here, you could say that her staying had more to do with Reid. I can’t imagine putting up with all four of them without another female around. No wonder she’s tough as nails and sweet at the same time.”
“So I shouldn’t be worried about upsetting her?”
“No, we’re all pretty easygoing, but she will hound you about eating.”
I nodded. “Thanks for the warning.”
After another bite of her dinner, Laurel asked, “Do you know much about us? About me?”
“I’m trying to learn and keep things straight, but there’s a lot happening,” I admitted as I tried to recall what I’d been told. “Patrick said you’re very smart.”
“That’s subjective. Everyone has their strengths. Mine is science.”
My eyes opened wider. “I don’t know much about that. I was drawn to history when I was younger.”
“That’s what makes this place so welcoming and eclectic. We all have our own interests and at the same time are interested in one another.”
I sat taller as I looked down at my plate. I wasn’t good at this, being friends with women. The only real relationship I could recall was with Cindy and that didn’t last long. The one-on-one conversation made me nervous. I didn’t know what to say or do. I definitely wasn’t a science prodigy, and my story wasn’t pretty.
Laurel reached out, placing her hand near my plate. Her wedding ring glistened under the overhead lights. I pulled my hands to my lap. Not only didn’t I have a good story, I’d been married for seventeen years without a ring.
“Madeline, you can trust me.”
Trust.
Under my lashes, my gaze met hers.
“I know about you and Sterling.”
I didn’t respond.
“The men all know as well,” she said. “Right now, Lorna and Araneae are the only ones in the dark, but God help us if that lasts too long.”
I swallowed the lump growing in my throat. “I-I didn’t even know, not until two nights ago, and I don’t think it’s my place to share.”
“I agree,” she said. “I promised Reid I’d stay quiet and since then, I’ve also promised Mason. I guess, I wanted you to know that it wasn’t only the men who knew.”
“I have no idea what it even means. I believe others wanted to use it against Mr. Sparrow.” My head shook as I let out a long breath and looked at Laurel. “Have you ever been so overwhelmed with everything that it’s hard to prioritize what you should even be thinking about?”
“I have.”
“It’s like my whole life has led to this…” I