“So, most of us will be in the single rooms in the main lodge here.” Deke pointed at the rustic building through the windshield ahead of them. “They try to reserve the cottages and inns for the families, but even the single rooms have en suites and full-sized kitchens.”
“How is this place even possible?” It was the first time Cade had spoken since they’d entered the haven, and he sounded just as awed as Mackenna felt. “How has the Coalition not found it?”
“Everything is pretty off the grid here.” Deke shrugged as he pulled into one of the parking spaces outside the lodge. “The electricity is solar and wind powered, but there are backup generators in case of emergencies. They fish and hunt. There are greenhouses a couple of miles from here where they grow a few different crops, and there’s even a farm across the lake where they raise chickens and dairy cows.”
“What about the things they can’t make or grow themselves?” Specifically, Mackenna wondered about things like medicine, fuel for the generators, and toilet paper. “Is there coffee?”
Deke chuckled as they all climbed out of the SUV. “Yes, there’s coffee. Some of the Gemini here own businesses in the city. They set aside what’s needed, leverage returned and damaged goods, and order extra when possible.”
“And the Coalition doesn’t suspect anything?”
Mackenna understood her mate’s skepticism, but unlike him, she was less interested in how things worked, and just amazed that they actually did.
“They know the system and how to make it work for the benefit of everyone. They’re careful, and there haven’t been any problems so far.” Deke wrapped his arm around Roux and started walking toward the entrance of the lodge. “Come on, I’ll show you your room.”
Taking Cade’s hand, Mackenna fell into step beside Roux. “So, there are over eight hundred people here…”
Deke’s brow furrowed, but he nodded. “That’s right.”
“So, if I wanted to find someone, how would I go about doing that?”
~
As lunchtime neared, Deke led his mate down a narrow dirt path to one of the small cottages nestled within a grove of evergreens. Anxiety permeated the air around her, and she’d been chewing on her lip for so long, it had turned red and puffy.
“Breathe, kitten.” Trying to calm her, he stroked his hand down her thick mane of dark hair. “They’re going to love you.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I love you.”
“I don’t know. It’s been so long since you’ve seen your sisters. Maybe I should have stayed back at the room this first time.”
They’d already reached the steps that led onto the small covered porch, so it was a little late for second thoughts. Plus, he knew for a fact that his younger sisters were going to adore her just as much as he did. Nothing he could say would convince her, though. She’d just have to find out for herself.
The front door swung open before he’d even cleared the steps. A high-pitched girlish squeal almost shattered his eardrums, and the next thing he knew, he was being tackled to the ground under the combined weight of two overly excited females.
“Deke! Holy shitballs, dude!” Rolling off him, Jazz punched him in the shoulder hard enough to make him wince. “Where the hell have you been?”
“Ignore her. We were both really worried for you.” Rising to her feet, Evie dusted pine needles from her jeans, then offered a hand to help him up from the ground. “We missed you.”
“Speak for yourself.” Jazz was the baby of the family, and she’d never really grown out of her brat phase. “So, did you bring me anything?”
“What exactly would I have brought you?” Laughing, he pulled both of them into his arms and kissed their heads, just like he’d done when they’d been little. “Damn, it’s good to see you.”
Jazz punched him again, this time in the ribs. “So, who’s the human chick?”
“Jazz!” Though only two years older than their sister, Evie had always been the quiet, responsible one. At only twenty-two, she had a unique perspective on life, and she was probably more mature than he was. “Don’t be rude.” Releasing him, she turned to Roux with a bright smile. “Hello.”
Moving to Roux’s side, Deke wrapped an arm around her tiny waist and pulled her close. “Kitten, this is my sister Evelyn, but you can call her Evie. The pain in my ass over there is Jasmine,” he added, pointing to her. “Her friends call her Jazz.”
“Don’t lie to the poor girl.” Jazz snorted. “Everyone knows I don’t have any friends.”
Deke rolled his eyes at her. “Ladies, this is Roux Jennings…my mate.”
“What?” his sisters screeched in chorus.
“Way to bury the lead,” Jazz chastised. “Jeez, brother.”
“I know it’s rare, but I have to agree with Jasmine on this one.”
Both females converged on his mate, pulling her into welcoming hugs and smothering her with sisterly affection as they welcomed her to the family. For her part, Roux looked like a frightened rabbit that might bolt at any moment. As the hug went on for far longer than propriety dictated, however, she gradually relaxed, and when Evie invited her to join them for lunch, she easily accepted.
Deke watched the trio disappear up the steps and into the cottage without a backward glance. He didn’t think they’d forgotten him, but he clearly wasn’t their priority anymore, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Damn, it was good to be home.
~
After an entire day of searching, Mackenna’s hope had faded.
No one she’d spoken to—and she’d asked a lot of people—had heard the name Jessica Juarez. Apparently, there were a few different Jessicas, Jessies, and Jesses who called the camp home, but none who matched her friend’s description.
The chances of finding Jess in Olympus had been slim, but that hadn’t diminished Mackenna’s
