Page 66 of Reverie
“We have everything, I am sure,” Misha replies.
It occurs to me that we haven’t brought August up-to-date with the latest developments: That his grandmother is alive, and he also has an uncle.
“Winter, can I keep Kitty for a while?” August makes the same gesture of tilting the tablet so I can view the words, but his eyes don’t leave Kitty, who lies next to him, pressing against his thigh.
“Of course, August,” I say with a smile. I debate pulling August aside to tell him the news, but I’m unsure how he’ll take it.
Plus, I really should consult Hunter about what to do. I would be out of place otherwise.
I rub the back of my neck, pressing my fingers into the tense muscles. There’s so much I’m gonna have to figure out when it comes to this.
This meaning, becoming a parental figure in August’s life. Because that’s where this is headed.
Right?
Without another word, August jumps up and exits the courtyard. With a final shrug, Ella follows and Kitty trots behind.
When it’s just Misha, Amelia, and me in the space, I’m the first one to clear my throat to break the silence.
“So, Misha. Wanna tell me what the hell is going on?” I ask, meeting his gaze directly and tilting my head to let Misha know that I’m serious about this topic of conversation.
“Whatever do you mean?” Misha asks in a bored voice.
Feeling brave, I roll my eyes. “You all dropped a bomb on us last night,” I say, looking at Amelia and Misha. “But I know there’s more to the story. I can tell.”
“You can tell?” Amelia asks, and I straighten my spine.
“Yes. I know Hunter,” I say.
Misha makes a sound, and I feel heat rise to my cheeks at the disbelieving tone.
“Hey, if you have anything to say about Hunter, it will be good things,” I reply, my voice harder than I’m used to.
Misha shrugs. “He’s a bit of an ass, but anyone can tell that he cares deeply about you. Remember, I was there when you went missing.”
At his words, a flash of the horrors I experienced at the hands of Adam Collins covers my field of vision, and I put a trembling hand to my chest.
Clearing my throat, I say, “Yes, about that. How much did you have to do with it?”
Misha’s face falls a fraction.
“I’m so sorry for what you went through, Winter. I didn’t know that they would do that to you, and I’m sorry that we didn’t intervene.” His words are earnest, but I feel that he’s saying them to save face.
“Right,” I say, the word clipped. “And why didn’t you intervene?” I want to fold my arms over my chest, but contorting that way feels uncomfortable even imagining it, so I settle for putting one hand on my hip.
I alter my stance so I don’t come off too aggressive.
Misha opens his mouth again, but Amelia interjects. “You’re right. We should have done something, and we could have done something. I knew Hunter was with you and that you were important to him, but I didn’t know how important you were. Are. When I saw that he was still doing his father’s bidding, I didn’t know if I should trust him or not. I didn’t know….”
She runs her fingers through her hair, and it’s a practiced movement that I’ve seen Hunter make often.
“Outside of your doctor’s office that day…I sent someone to put that sketch in your bag. I hoped that if you saw it, you’d ask Hunter about it, and he’d either scare you away or he’d bring you closer. That would let us know who he belonged to.”
“How did you know I’d be there? Wait,” I say, putting my hand out. “Duh, Rio. And others, I’m assuming. Did you know we’d be shot at? Those were people from The Legion, I assume.”
I was able to piece together that some of the people milling around Amelia Manor for the last year are plants from The Resistance. But now that I’m facing the Ukrainian and his mother, I realize that even with all we shared last night, there’s still more that Hunter’s keeping from me.
Amelia nods. “I’ve been watching you for a while. I knew Dr. Greene was a good person, but I panicked when…the medical assistant was compromised by The Legion. Once I was told you were pregnant and I saw the MA, I knew they were closing in onyou. I needed to do something. I didn’t know they’d chase you down, though, and I should have.”