Page 69 of Reverie

“Who is ‘he?’” I chime in, breaking their conversation.

Amelia stares at me hard, and it’s almost like she ages right in front of my eyes.

“Hunter will need your help to process this quickly. Because the sooner he gets on board, the better, but we know this will be a hurdle.”

I resist a growl. “Okay, well stop talking in circles and tell me what’s going on!”

I expect them to say something outlandish.

But the absolute last thing I expect comes out of Amelia’s mouth.

“Ella was born to be a breeder for The Legion. They want her because she’s quite literally the key to their next generations.”

NINE

HUNTER

“Hunter, are you even listening?”

Leo and I have been working for hours now. The sun set not too long ago, and at some point, one of Misha’s staff stuck their head in the room, left, and returned with stone-fired pizza for us.

Leo throws what must be half a ream of paper in my direction, and it skids across the oak table of the war room.

Misha’s team, including Jared and Max, briefed us this morning about how and when The Legion compromised our secure data site. Despite all the safeguards we had in place, they practically waltzed in and took what they wanted.

Because they can.

But even facing all that information and the knowledge that my company is pretty much toast, I struggle to listen to Leo as he drones on about the fall of BwP.

So, for the last twelve hours, Leo and I have been figuring out where to go and how to move forward from here.

Even as the foundation of my last decade crumbles around me, all I can think about is August and Winter and my tiny new family.

“Yes, I’m paying attention,” I say, my voice gruff from staying silent for much of our meeting. Leo and I dove down a data rabbit hole about two hours ago, tracking down discrepancies.

But now he’s decided to talk to me. How long he’s been trying to get me out of my daze is a mystery, though.

“Sorry, I was thinking about something with August,” I offer him as an excuse. Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose as I try to prioritize things in order of importance.

I ran into Ella and August while walking here with Leo. August looked well, as did Ella, but I didn’t get any words out before August launched himself into my arms.

I held him for a long minute before whispering just for him to hear, “Are you okay?”

Thinking it a dumb, dumb question to ask—because ofcoursehe isn’t okay—I nearly choked with relief when he slowly nodded his head as he lay his face against my chest.

“The chef has loads and loads of Eggos and Cheese-Itz for you,” I stage-whisper. That caused him to jump back, and as if we hadn’t shared the tender moment, he rushed down the hallway, Ella following behind him with a soft smile.

I can’t believe how much time I wasted staying out of August’s life in some misguided attempt to keep him safe. I’d justified staying away—I knew that if my father caught on to just how much he meant to me, he’d destroy him. I let fear be a driver in my decisions.

But now, my father is dead, and even from the grave, he’s managed to taint August’s life.

I’d kill Benjamin Brigham again if I could for so many reasons, but especially for how he’s harmed my son.

What matters most right now is my family. There are several other things ahead of BwP, which is at the bottom of my list.

“Earth to Hunter,” Leo barks. “Do you even fucking care what’s going on?”

Leo runs an agitated hand through his hair. He wears a five o’clock shadow, and the dark circles beneath his eyes suggest that he’s not slept well.