"Meryn, go ahead; this was your idea," Kari prompted.
Meryn twisted her fingers, "Well it's just that I've noticed some things. Like Magnus gives an order and the warriors automatically look to Aiden to see if he agrees. If Aiden gives orders, some of the vampires look at Magnus to see if he agrees. And with Declan being hurt, I was afraid that if something happened to either of you, they would hesitate. We might end up losing you both."
Magnus, Adriel, and Aiden exchanged looks. From the rueful expressions, Kari could tell that none of them had noticed the problem.
Meryn scrunched up her nose. "Amelia's brother's name is Law. Is that you?" she asked.
"Yes, that's me." Law confirmed. "How do you know Amelia?" he asked.
"Amelia is my big sister cousin. Our mothers were sisters. That makes him my..." she paused. "My big sister cousin brother?" she asked the room. She turned her head. "Ryuu, how does family work again?"
Kari watched in amusement as Law's face froze. He blinked and then picked up his phone. He held it sideways, and it chirped like a walkie-talkie.
"Tom, send team seven down to Noctem Falls on the double; I need them here yesterday."
"Yes sir!"
Law clipped the walkie-talkie to his belt.
"Why add another team?" Adriel asked.
"I have two sisters here where the local populace is either attacking unit warriors or turning feral. One of them has a stalker. The other one is human. And both are pregnant. We're surrounded by men who can't even identify a major chain of command issue. Of course, I'm bringing in another team," Law answered sarcastically.
Gavriel scowled. "You know, he reminds me of someone."
Law turned and looked at Gavriel. His eyes widened, and he inclined his head. "Looks as though I'm not the only one keeping secrets."
Gavriel gave him a flat look.
Law turned back to Meryn. "The word that you're looking for is brother. I am your brother. Amelia is my sister, and you're her little sister, so that makes you my sister." He smiled. "I can't wait until Thane and Justice find out."
"Why didn't you know about Meryn being related to Amelia?" Kari asked.
"I've been out on assignment."
Meryn's hands slammed the table.
"Say that again." she insisted, looking excited.
Law repeated. "I've been on assignment."
Meryn gasped, both hands rose to her mouth. "Deadpool?" she asked.
Law's mouth dropped open. "Red Queen?"
"Holy shit!" Meryn exclaimed.
"No way." Law stepped back and swung the dining room door open "Gimli, Gambit, Legolas get in here." Three large men filed in.
"Yes, sir?" The tall elegant blond asked.
Law pointed to Meryn. "That's Red Queen."
The large man with a shaggy beard and hair barked out his laughter. "Get the fuck outta here!" He ran over and scooped her right out of Aiden's lap. "Where have you been? We almost died in Afghanistan. They replaced you with an absolute idiot."
"We have missed you, little one." The tall, blond man lifted her out of his companion's arms and set her on her feet before kissing her hand.
"Let me at her." The dark-haired man stepped forward, kissed her on both cheeks, and then once on the lips. "You are absolutely adorable, little bit." Aiden began to growl low in his throat. The three men ignored him.
Aiden stood and pulled Meryn away from them, rubbing his cheek where they kissed her, and they laughed. He sat back down, holding Meryn close in his lap.
Aiden said, "Meryn, how on earth do you know them?"
"I worked with them to help them kill people."
Everyone froze, and there was silence. Aiden chuckled nervously. "You mean like on your zombie game?"
Meryn shook her head. "Nope, I hacked systems, opened doors, watched out for them on surveillance, made fake IDs. That sort of thing."
The one Law called Gambit brought a finger to his lips. "Hush shug, you givin' away all our secrets."
"Meryn?" Aiden looked down at his mate as if he had never seen her before.
"They were all bad," Meryn assured him.
"Security, huh?" Kari asked flatly.
Meryn gasped and began to laugh. "I thought you came because you're Kari's brother, I didn't know you were part of her security force." Meryn hooted as Law gave her a flat look. She continued to howl.
Bethy looked at her friend in confusion. "Meryn, what's going on?"
Meryn pointed a finger at Law. "He's a genius."
Law nodded. "Well..."
Gavriel looked around. "I do not understand."
Meryn wiped her eyes. "If you are paranoid and you think that someone is out to get you, what you do?"