“Hey, uh, when you say stripped down, what exactly does that mean?” Adiron asks.
“It means we keep as small a crew as possible to avoid scrutiny. I’m going to remain on board to pilot the Sister, and I need at least one support crew to handle things while I sleep. I don’t think we need more than that. Everyone else can either go with the Scarlet Gaze or stay with Sophie and Jerrok.”
That’s when my brothers explode.
“No,” Kaspar snarls. “Absolutely not.”
Adiron protests, too. “You can’t leave us behind, Matty—”
“A smaller crew is easier to explain,” I tell them. “Far less threatening than a full crew. I’ll be able to get in and out of a lot of stations and ask questions. If anyone’s looking for us, they’ll be looking for Lord Straik or the va Sithai brothers. I’ll use an assumed name and go solo on any stations. I just need someone to watch the ship when I’m trying to sleep, or I’d do it all myself. Plus there’s the fact that you’ve got your pregnant mates to think of.”
My brothers exchange sulky looks.
“I know you’re imagining that you’re going to miss out on the action, but it’s going to be flying from station to station, asking questions about cloning materials. The way these guys are cloning, they’ll need specific chemicals and a certain kind of lab. It’s just narrowing down what I can find out. Zero fighting.”
Zoey speaks up. “You guys could always Rock Paper Scissors to see who wins?”
“No, they can’t,” Jade says in a firm voice. “This needs to be discussed between all of us, and we need to think about it.”
“I’ve already been thinking about it,” I say. “Does anyone want to hear my suggestions?”
Kaspar tilts his head at me. “Do we have a choice?”
I ignore that. “I think that it’d be easiest for all parties involved if Kaspar went on the Gaze with the crew there. Alice is pregnant, and having the carinoux on board will probably create more issues than it’s worth for a streamlined mission.” Plus the thing hates me, but I don’t point that out. It loves Alice, is affectionate with the other women, tolerates Kaspar, and hates me and Adi. “Adiron can stay on board with me and be my backup, and Jade and Alice can stay on station with Jerrok and Sophie.”
“Excuse me?” Alice huffs. “If Kas goes on the Gaze, I’m going with him. He’s not allowed to get into a fight without me there.”
“Sunshine, you’re pregnant,” Kas says, frowning at his mate. “It’s probably safest—” He cuts off at the vehement look she shoots him. “Or not. Okay, Sunshine. We stay together.” He lifts her hand to his mouth and kisses her knuckles, grinning. “I love it when you’re fierce.”
“We’d be happy to have you both,” Ruth says. “What about you, Jade?”
I glance over at Adiron’s mate. She’s older than Alice and more practical, and I know Adiron and her are devoted to one another. Insanely so. I also know that Jade has had a lot of sickness with her pregnancy, to the point that Adiron worries about her constantly. Truth be told, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if she came with us, but I think Adiron would spend more time rubbing her back and making her comfortable than helping me pilot the Sister. The mission would be secondary to Jade’s pregnancy issues.
Plus, I’m a keffing asshole and knew it’d be easier to separate Adi from Jade than it would be Kaspar from Alice. Adi’s more reliable than Kaspar…which sounds horrifying, but it’s true. If I need someone to fly off the handle and destroy our plans, I’d call on Kaspar. If I need someone to crack jokes and be obnoxious as he helps around the ship, Adi’s the one to depend on.
Jade takes Adiron by the hand. She squeezes it and gives him a calm look. “I can stay with Sophie. It’s probably best that I don’t slow you down.”
My brother looks stricken. “But…I don’t want to leave your side. Jade, what if you need me? Who’s going to rub your ankles when they’re swollen?”
I ignore the guilt I feel. This is for the best.
“I’ll be fine,” Jade says, giving him a peaceful smile. “Baby, you know nothing would probably be easier on my stomach than staying in one place for a while. And Sophie has that gorgeous garden. I’ll write you letters every day and we can read them together when you come back.”
Adiron looks unconvinced.
Jade leans in and puts a hand to his cheek, pulling him close so she can whisper in his ear. His expression changes, and a smile curves his face even as Jade grins at the secret they’re sharing. “Deal. But you have to carry a weapon at all times.”
“Of course,” Jade purrs at him, and when Adiron rubs his jaw like he does when he’s embarrassed, something tells me those letters won’t be clean.