Forsaken Duty (Red Team #9)(80)

She sat on the edge of Troy’s bed as he woke. He was always super cuddly in the morning. As usual, he climbed into her lap and snuggled in. She smiled as she held him, grateful for him and the morning and the new life she’d been given. As he woke, he slowly focused on her arm…and its marks.

“Mom, you’ve been drawing on yourself.” He ran his hand over the gold lines, then gasped when he looked up and saw her face. “You’re going to get in trouble.” How scared he looked.

She hugged him. “No, I’m not. We don’t get in trouble here like we used to at the old house.”

He ran his hands over her cheeks. “It’s everywhere. Why did you do this?”

“I didn’t. Owen did. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Why did he do that?”

“Because he thought there was something hurtful I was keeping inside that needed to come out. So he gave me places for it to come out.”

“It worked. The problem’s gone from your face.”

She laughed and hugged him again. “It is, isn’t it?”

“Do you love Owen? ’Cause I do. I think he should be my new dad.”

She chuckled. “That’s moving a little fast.”

“He’s not like my old dad.”

“Very true. Owen’s pretty wonderful.” She set Troy back on the bed then picked an outfit for him. “We’re going to be late for breakfast if we don’t get a move on.”

A few minutes later, they walked into the living room. Wynn and Angel were there, along with Rocco and Mandy and their son. When Zavi saw Troy, he stood on his chair and called him over. He’d been saving a seat for him.

“Zavi, we don’t stand on chairs,” Mandy reminded him. Too excited to see his friend, he just switched to kneeling instead. Zavi stared at Addy—first at her eyes, then at her whole face. He pointed his finger at his face and swirled it around. “Ms. Jacobs, you got stuff on your face.”

“I do. Isn’t it beautiful?” She smiled at his confusion. He nodded, unconvinced.

“Owen drew on her,” Troy said. Even that made her happy.

“Why?” Zavi asked.

“I don’t know. To fix her, I think. Or something like that.”

After the boys ate their breakfast, Wynn took them up to class. Addy poured a second cup of coffee, then went into the living room to wait for Owen. Greer and Remi came in, followed by Val and Ace.

Greer helpfully pointed out the markings, too. “That coming from your skin?”

Addy laughed. “No. It’s wabi-sabi.”

Greer tilted his head. “It’s what now?”

Max and Hope came in. She was collecting an audience.

“Wabi-sabi.”

“It’s the Japanese art of accepting melancholy,” Kelan said as he and Fiona joined them. “It’s knowing the truth that nothing’s permanent, perfect, or complete.”

“Oh.”

“Owen drew the lines,” Addy said. “He used the gold to let the dark out and the light in and put the broken pieces back together. Isn’t it beautiful?” There were some nods, but she knew they didn’t get why it made her so happy. “You don’t get it, do you?”

“Get what?” Max asked.

“I’m broken. The Omnis don’t keep broken things. I let the broken out. I’m broken all over. Cecil can’t touch me now.”

“Damned right about that,” Max said. “He’d have to fucking go through all of us to get to you.”

“But even if he were a ghost and got through you, I’m protected from him, you see?”

Silence was her answer. Ace came over to her. She took off her T-shirt and showed Addy her back. “I get it. I did the same thing.”

A huge blue swallowtail butterfly covered her back. Part of the beautiful design was covered by her bra strap. The tail points of the wings slipped below her jeans. It was exquisite.

Addy ran her hands over the complex design. “You are protected.” And then she wrapped her arms around Ace’s shoulders and hugged her. “Oh, Ace. We survived them.”

Ace turned to face her and returned the hug. After a moment, Addy realized everyone had gotten quiet. Val was standing between Ace and the room, facing everyone else with his arms on his hips, blocking them from curious eyes. Ace pulled free and wiped her eyes, then pulled her T-shirt back on. Addy heard a sniffle and saw Fiona in Kelan’s arms.

So much harm had come to these people. How had Addy ever thought them complicit with the Omnis?

She looked over and saw Owen standing at the living room entrance. How much had he heard or seen? He hadn’t washed off his lines either. His team observed him in stunned silence as he came down the steps and walked up to her. He ignored them, watching her cautiously until she smiled and stepped into his arms.

He hugged her, then kissed her temple. “You eat yet?”

“No. I was waiting for you.”

“I’m starving.” He kept an arm around her shoulders as he led her into the dining room. “Doing wabi-sabi makes me hungry.” He grinned as he walked them into the dining room.





25





Selena was already sitting at the bar in the billiards room, an amber beer bottle in her hand when Val came in. Ace was still getting dressed upstairs. Kelan was right behind him. It had been a tough couple of days, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Val was glad to see some of the team were gathering for a nightcap.