toward me.
“No welcome committee?” Aaric asked with a laugh.
“We’re just lucky I called ahead and Banks deactivated all the traps.”
Aaric laughed again when I finished speaking, but when I didn’t join him, he seemed to realize that hadn’t been a joke.
“After you,” Silas offered, gesturing for me to head inside first. Naturally, he thought it would be best for mine to be the first face to greet my team.
And he was right, but there was one last thing I needed to do.
I had their undivided attention as I slid a pair of sunglasses from the pocket of my hoodie. A pair I’d been carrying despite there being only moonlight accompanying us on this journey. Having the option to hide my eyes from my family brought me a small measure of comfort. The longer I could shield them from my reality, the better.
The guys both passed a look my way, and then glanced up toward each other, but neither said a word. I descended the iron ladder and hopped down with only a few rungs left to the bottom. The soles of my shoes clanked against the metal floor, echoing a familiar noise through the space that reverberated back to me. Sound traveled differently down here in the bunker, and collectively with the other sights and smells, reminded me I was back at home.
Aaric’s feet touched down, and then Silas’ after re-sealing the hatch. Both followed as I led the way through a network of winding tunnels and passageways. Eventually, there were gentle voices wafting our way and I knew we were close to the team.
With any luck, this wouldn’t turn out to be a total mistake.
Chapter Eighteen
Corina
The moment I stepped into the doorway of our command center, the entire team rose to their feet to rush me, led by Felix and Liv—and of course, Riot, in a frenzy of barking and tail wagging. There were tight hugs from most, but Jonesy caught me with a noogie—the bastard.
“The prodigal son has returned,” O.C. announced, dropping back down in his seat wearing a satisfied grin. “What’s with the sunglasses? You do know it’s, like, ten o’clock, don’t you?”
He had no idea how sensitive a subject this was, so I didn’t fault him for not guessing as much.
“Just trying to block out your ugly mug,” I deflected with a laugh.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” he joked back, turning to my escorts before saying more. “And it looks like you brought friends, I see.”
He said that as if it was a surprise Aaric and Silas accompanied, but they’d all been brought up to speed. Which meant he just wanted to make things uncomfortable for the sake of his own entertainment.
Smiling, I rolled my eyes.
“And you still haven’t showered since I left,” I teased, pushing his feet off the seat he had them propped on. He shoved me hard when I lowered to sit there.
“And who have we here?” Shay asked, sizing up Aaric. It wasn’t a flirty look she gave, but I didn’t miss the pink tinge her cheeks took on when he offered a gracious smile.
“Well, you’ve all met Silas,” I answered, “And this is Aaric.” I gestured toward him and realized that I, too, was smitten with his rough-around-the-edges exterior. Possibly because I was starting to realize that, inside, he had a heart.
“Ah, yes,” Shay said thoughtfully. “The Benefactor, right?”
“Actually, that was somewhat of a team effort,” he clarified, “I just so happened to be put in place to oversee that effort.”
Shay nodded and leaned in to whisper in my ear as she passed. “Hot and humble,” she teased. “Some chicks have all the luck.”
Okay, so maybe I told my girls a little too much when I made that call. It seemed worth mentioning that Aaric and I were bonded like I’d been to the princes, but now I regretted it a little. I guessed Shay noticed as much when my cheeks warmed, likely burning red.
“Well, if you’re Aaric, then I believe this belongs to you,” Banks chimed in, handing a small, blue device to Aaric who stared at the piece curiously.
“Thanks, but … I’m not sure I know what this is.”
Banks chuckled a bit. “Cori mentioned your team had a close call with the authorities closing in on your signal. This will keep you guys off those menacing bastards’ radar. Problem solved,” he added with an even cockier grin.
Aaric glanced down at the device again. “This small thing does that?”
“Yup,” Banks nodded. “Felix designed one just like it for us,