abcnovels
Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Chapter 126 My brother brings me up to speed. I suppose I should consider myself lucky that he told me at all, but he’s also sworn me to secrecy, and while I wasn’t actually planning on telling Aaron-at least not right away-something about another lie between me and him really makes my stomach sink. I’m pretty sure Liam already knows I’m si ck. I can’t see Adam keeping that a secret. But he hasn’t asked me straight out, and I’m not talking about it, so we’ll just let this one bit of drama sit for a bit. Besides, we have bigger things-literally-with the development he’s been working on and its military applications. Liam and I spend two weeks in California. He books us at a nearby hotel, although most nights we pass out in my dad’s old office. Trimming down the company is unpleasant. But I force myself to sit in the room during those HR meetings and personally thank each employee for their service. The severance packages are very generous, but that doesn’t ease my guilt. The real estate venture is still a ‘go’ and that falls into my lap to research contractors and building companies capable of the work in the time we want, and to begin getting permits and architects lined up. There is an endless list of work to do, and it keeps me busy. When I’m not focused on the building venture, I’m with my brother holed up on the upper floor working with his AI team on the big Defense contract. I try to work from there too, just so I can learn more about the actual software and become better acquainted with his team. There are three wolves among the engineers. A guy named Dennis and two females, Sophie and Kate. The three of them are brilliant and I marvel at the speed and manner in which they process data. Aaron calls or texts everyday. I miss him. I miss the pleasure he brings me.
Adam messages too. If Aaron’s texts bring me joy, Adam’s are there to keep me grounded. Take your vitamins. Get more sleep.
Come back to pack, you’re due for an ultrasound. There’s never anything wrong with what he says, but I sense a bit of resentment from Adam. Maybe it’s because he’s a doctor and I’m not taking his guidance. Or, maybe like so many other wolves, he isn’t okay with my continued relationship with Aaron. “Are you okay?” It’s Dennis. He’s an intuitive wolf, and for as much as he fits the tech image with his t-shirts and Tesla, he’s built like a defensive lineman. A good 6’3″ and dense as a tree. “I’m fine,” I tell him. It’s a lie. I’m restless. “You’ve been cooped up here with the rest of us for twelve hours. Why don’t you take a break, grab a coffee.” Between the baby and the cancer…I’m off caffeine. “I could eat something,” I say. I eye up who’s left on this high security floor. The wolves are first into the office and last to leave. They work tirelessly. They have more at stake than some of the other teammates because they’re part of Pack Roberts. Not born into it, but initiated in by my father. I’m happy for that. A pack needs new members, new energy and ideas. Granted, as far as ‘ideas’ go, I’d prefer we weren’t neck deep in a Defense Administration contract for the government, but the new packmates are welcome. Dennis looks around the room. Seeing that everyone is occupied, he says, “Allow me to escort you
down to the cafe, Alpha.” I’m pleased that he addresses me by the proper title. Not everyone does, and my leadership position is not one that everyone approves of. We take the elevator down. “Did you see the revised deadline from the Pentagon?” Dennis asks. “No.” “They want to begin Phase 1 testing. They’re moving up our contract date.” Can they do that? “How much time do we have?” I ask. “We have less than 30 days to deliver on the AI prototypes. That’s…not possible. “Just creating the security firewalls for it will take twice that time.” He grins at me. “Look at you picking up fast. “Can we hit the deadline?” I ask him before we reach the ground floor. “No.” He doesn’t mince words. “We’d need four more headcount to shift a portion of the code writing.” “Do you have people in mind? He nods solemnly. “Hire them.” “When?” “Now.” He whips out his phone and starts messaging. When the elevator dings, he’s too busy typing to step out. “Pizza… or Burrito?” I ask him. “Nevermind. I’ll get both and a couple of burgers.” His face lights up. “You have my cell. If anyone else wants something extra, text me.” “Okay. Thanks Alpha Leah.” As the elevator door closes, my own phone starts blowing up. It’s Adam. Again. Insisting I come home.
I’ve already made an appointment with a local obstetrician. 66 Be home soon,” I say out loud as I text it back to him. “Oh, really?” I look up at the deep rumbling voice that I know so well. “I didn’t see that text yet,” Aaron tells me. It’s really him. Here. Back in California. “What are you doing here?” I ask him. “I got tired of waiting.”
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