Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,82
house. Cort has Security houses for the Brothers not too far away but liked them in the house with us.”
She looks in the closet and laughs about her clothes being here. I show her the bathroom. It’s not the full lagoon the Alpha-Bits have, but it’s close. “Anything you want to change in here will be changed. Do you need more of our room here?”
“You have my blanket and things from home here. I like what’s different and I don’t feel nervous that things are missing or the walls are rock. I like this. Thank you for making it nice for me.”
I kiss my girl. I know I didn’t get everything here and I’m glad she doesn’t need it. I picked big things like her mirror, jewelry box, rug and two pictures to get replicas of. The little shit wasn’t much. Two blankets and matching sheet colors is enough to keep her comfortable while in a new space. The bathroom has all her shit just like home. The space doesn’t seem to bother her. I’m so fucking relieved that she’s not going to be nervous, I think every bit of it comes out in the kiss.
“Web! Chopper!”
She giggles. “More people are here.” She’s walking away and I bend to breathe.
Women are crazy. Those snakes and spiders from the pet store get me able to walk out and see the island Alpha-Bits, Stella, the team and whoever the fuck is with them. I missed all the activity in my house. Cock-blocked is a good way to keep it in perspective. Four days until the only interruptions are from Michael and Garren.
~*~*~
Allen and Aris explain about Security and the safe room in German and Russian as we walk the tunnel down to the lake. Alta and Alder speak in Greek and French for the island Brothers. I’m glad they’re giving them everything how they can understand it easily.
“Do we have a safe room?” Alexia asks softly.
My arm tightens around her waist pulling her closer to me. “We use theirs. There’s only one. In the second bunk room, first tier of bunks. It’s a tight squeeze for the Brothers, but Garren and Michael made it no problem. The picture is a scanner, put your hand on it and the wall opens to the safe room. You need to move quick so everyone gets in.”
She’s nervous, shit. “Jacques, Gregor and Pace?”
“They have chairs in the safe room. The As are assigned Brothers to watch for. The little ones and chairs were assigned before we left the compounds. This is the first time these Alpha-Bits have been here. They need all the information in case the world turns upside down. They get that the first time. Next time a reminder but it’s never something that’s been used or needed. Being prepared is a thing with the As. They’re just being prepared.”
She breathes deep. “Okay. I’ll be alert and listen so I’m prepared too.” She hitches her backpack up a little higher.
I give her a squeeze. “Good job, sexy Lexi. We’re all right here and will help if it’s ever needed. Do you need your bag adjusted or want me to carry it?”
“No, I’m good.”
I want to take it so she isn’t uncomfortable carting it around. She won’t leave it behind and keeps saying she’s fine. The Alpha-Bits in front run, drawing our attention, they found the lake.
Kyler and Seth help with canoes. Only a few want to go out so it works for me. I take Alexia, Alta, Cai, Budgie and Brex with Jacques and Runar. Cai speaks French and Russian so we’re covered with language. He’s fourteen and seems to like helping with the little Bs. Runar tells them about Amal taking care of his hamster making me smile. They love their pets.
The Bs are calm and wide eyed as we get further from shore. “You’re safe, little Brothers. We can stop right here. If you look into the trees you’ll see lightning bugs. They flash a light like twinkling stars.”
Alexia points and the little Bs clap. They’re so cute. She tells them the bugs will move as it gets darker and the lights will show better.
“Bug?” Cai asks in French.
I smile. “Lightning bug, firefly, Lampyridae family. Similar to a glow worm.”
He pulls his phone and types. I smile. They’re allowed their phones to communicate. They’ve never seen bugs before so this is a form of communicating if I get asked by the technology police.
He looks at me with wonder in his eyes. “Bug