“You will when I send you a special gift that’s wrapped with wiring.”

“Children…” Syn had the voice of a stressed parent. “Let’s not fight.”

“Yes, Dad,” they said in unison.

She glanced over her shoulder at Maris who was following them. Drake and Lise were behind him.

“They’re always like this,” Maris mouthed to her.

Shaking her head, she wasn’t quite sure what to make of this more playful side of Darling. As Kere, he’d been reserved and formal whenever he interacted with her soldiers. Ruthless and lethal with his enemies. As governor, he’d been stern and fierce. Guarded. With Maris, like her and his younger siblings, he was protective and strong. Ever watchful and ready to attack anyone who hurt them.

In private, she’d seen glimpses of this playful side of his personality, but he’d never been quite this open and at ease, even with her. It was like a part of him had waited for her to betray or hurt him. Like he feared that she’d reject him if he acted goofy around her.

Yet here in the heart of the Sentella, while on his way to a risky surgery, he was completely at ease and relaxed. Even with people as deadly as Syn and Hauk. His behavior reminded him more of how his brother and sister acted around him.

But then, Darling knew they would kill or die for him just as he would for them. He trusted Hauk and Syn, she realized. Fully.

More than he’s ever trusted me. And that stung on a level so deep, she had to force herself not to flinch from it. They owned a part of Darling that she could never reach.

“Are you okay?” Maris asked her.

She nodded in spite of the fact it was a lie. She wanted Darling to give her this side of himself, too. To be so comfortable with her that he could be silly and childlike without reservation.

As they entered the waiting room, Zarya slowed. Trepidation filled her at the sight of all the unfamiliar people gathered there to see Darling.

Nykyrian Quiakides she knew immediately by sight, but only because his face had once adorned more wanted lists than hers and Darling’s combined. Given his extreme height and long white-blond hair that was braided down his back, he was a hard man to miss. And while he was no longer a League assassin, he still wore the dark sunglasses that kept anyone from seeing what he was looking at or who he was targeting.

Next to him was an extremely pregnant redhead. She put her hand on Darling’s arm to stop Syn from taking him straight into the operating room.

Pulling the sheet back, she tsked at him. “Don’t tell me they couldn’t get you here any other way.”

Darling laughed. “Ah, you know. It happens.”

The woman took his hand into hers, sending a little wave of jealousy through Zarya. “I know Syn will take care of you, but… I love you, sweetie. God speed and keep you.” She placed a kiss on Darling’s forehead, then stepped back.