Chapter 32
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
ALISA
I feel as if I closed my eyes in Savannah and woke up in Minneapolis. Covering my mouth as I yawn, I shuffle to the bathroom on the plane to change now that we’ve landed.
There’s a tiny shower in here, a toilet, and a sink.
I have just enough room to maneuver around, but it’s pretty tight.
My hair is tangled from my time in the Smash Club, and I can’t help but smile as I brush it out.
I can’t believe Troy let me beat on him.
He regularly takes on guys as big as he is on the ice with knives on his feet, but still.
It was really sweet and exactly what I needed.
I bump into things as I change, wrinkling my nose as I wiggle into a pair of jeans. Ugh, who thought they were a good idea? I rarely fucking wear structured pants!
“Are you okay?” Lyle asks, worry clear in his voice.
“Pants suck!” I yell, getting a snort in return. “Why can’t I have leggings?”
“I don’t want you to play with pointy things and fire in leggings today,” he replies. “Most of that material is thin or flammable. I did bring leggings though, because I value my life.”
“Good answer. Okay, you may live.”
“Thanks, beautiful.”
I look pale as I brush my teeth and wash my face. I’ve been crying and it definitely shows. Crossing my eyes and sticking my tongue out, I admit this is as good as it’s gonna get.
I quickly dry my face, braid my hair, and then go back to the main cabin to put my shoes on. I might end up hurting myself if I tried to do it in the bathroom.
“I almost went back to check on you,” Silas says. “Lyle swore you were fine, but grumbled about the jeans.”
“They were a pain to get on,” I admit, pulling on my shoes.
I glance at Troy to check on his feet and he winks at me once I see he’s in proper footwear.
“All set?” he teases me.
“You move fast,” I tell him, scrunching my nose.
I feel better now that I’ve started moving. I have butterflies in my stomach at the thought of why we’re here, but I need to shut this door in my life. I need the closure.
“Do we have a plan?” I ask.
“We do. You needed the sleep, we figured we’d catch you up in the car,” Easton explains. “Let’s grab our bags and get moving. Your brothers promised to have all your favorite toys.”
“I bet they loved that,” I say, getting up to leave. The guys grab the bags, and I notice Doc is with us.
With how prone I am to getting into trouble, I’m not surprised he decided to come.
Especially after I passed out earlier. I can feel the new bite on my skin since it’s so new, and I wonder what it looks like.
I didn’t think to look while I was in the bathroom.
Troy’s bite is on the opposite side of Lyle’s healed one, which I think evens me out.
Troy’s hand is against my back as I walk down the stairs of the plane, and the sun is high in the sky.
“The first order of business is getting some food,” Doc announces as we step onto the tarmac. “I don’t think Alisa has had anything to eat today.”
“Ah…no. Oops? In my defense, it’s already been kind of shitty as far as Thursdays go.”
“Cute,” Troy says. “Here’s to turning that around, yeah?”
Two SUVs pull in front of us, forcing us to stop. Lyle, Silas, and Easton step in front of us with their weapons drawn, making me stiffen. I didn’t bring anything with me because I wasn’t exactly conscious when I left the house. Ugh.
The windows roll down quickly to reveal my brothers driving and I sigh.
“We decided to bring the vehicles to you. Can I steal my sister for a bit?” Caleb asks, stepping out of the SUV.
“Alisa?” Easton asks, without moving his lips. The sound barely travels beyond us, and I know that’s the point. The ball is in my court.
“Yeah. They can bring me up to speed on the plan while they’re at it. I don’t like being in the dark right now,” I reply. “I know it’s not on purpose, and that I was asleep, but it’s making me nervous.”
“She’s yours,” Lyle says over the sound of the loud equipment around us. “Alisa caught a nap on the plane, so you’re in charge of explaining things to her. She also hasn’t eaten yet.”
“Lars has a sandwich for her, and there’s a tray in the back seat for you all,” Caleb replies. Very smooth. They planned this.
“Here’s your phone,” Silas says, turning and pushing it into my palm.
“I have your gun,” East adds, putting his away to dig what I need out of his bag.
“Wow.”
“They have it all under control,” Troy chuckles.
They always do, I just feel unsettled for some reason.
Turning away from my brothers, I unbutton my pants and put on my holster and slide my firearm in at the base of my spine.
It’s not because I think I’ll need to use it while I’m with them, but rather so I’ll have my hands free.
Once I’m situated, I say goodbye to my pack and Doc, striding toward the back door of the SUV my brothers are in.
Caleb opens it for me, smirking as I see Hollis.
“A sandwich and your best friend? You’re like the strangers offering puppies and chocolate,” I grumble, climbing into the back seat.
“That’s…We aren’t kidnapping you!” Caleb groans.
“Take the L,” Hollis snorts, waiting as I pull on my seatbelt. “It’s not as if you haven’t kidnapped people.”
“It’s not something we do on a regular basis,” Lars grunts.
“Sure,” I reply, taking the plate Hollis hands me as Caleb shuts the door.
“Nicely done,” she chuckles.
“It’s not hard to make their heads explode.”
“I’m sitting right here,” Lars complains.
“Hi to you too.”
“Ugh. It’s like there’s two of you.”
“Are you suggesting I’m suffering from some sort of dissociative disorder?” I ask, taking a bite of the sandwich. “Oh my god.”
“We keep him around because he makes a mean sandwich and he has lemon bars,” Hollis agrees.
Caleb shakes his head as he gets into the passenger side seat and shares a glance with Lars.
“She found her moxie,” he says.
“Aye, she did.”
“It was very well hidden,” I reply, sighing happily as I take another bite. I’ve had quite the day already, and my snark is louder than it usually is. I don’t always know how to speak to my brothers, but this feels almost normal.
Glancing next to me, I notice my sandwich is noticeably smaller than Hollis’ and secretly smile. Lars remembered.
“It’s been a weird day and the sandwich is a highlight of it,” I add.
“Nice bite,” Hollis drawls.
“Oh. That would have been better if I didn’t have a seizure right after,” I shrug.
Lars slams on his brakes, and I wince as Easton careens around him. He still has the window down and Caleb sighs as he rolls his down.
“Sorry.”
“What the fuck happened?” he asks.
“You gave my baby sister a seizure. Lars has some thoughts about it.”
“Crazy fucking Irishmen,” Easton grunts.
“The seizure is a side effect of all the medication she’s been pumped with.
I also didn’t do anything. You don’t need details, because you’re her fucking brothers.
Stop pumping her for them or she’ll explain it in the worst way possible to fuck with you.
She hasn’t eaten and is turning into a gremlin. ”
“I thought gremlins needed water to do that,” Caleb grumbles.
I actually know this reference and stifle a giggle.
“I had some when I brushed my teeth.”
“Ah, this explains it,” Lars says. “I’ll be more careful, Easton. I promise.”
My alpha nods before closing the window and pulling away.
“Your pack would totally murder us if they didn’t think you might miss us,” Caleb says, closing the window.
“Maybe. Lars makes really good sandwiches. What do you bring to the table?” I ask.
“I stocked the weapons table with Hollis.”
“Hmm. I’ll have to peruse the offerings and get back to you.”
“I fucking love you, kid,” he snorts.
I can’t stop smiling as Hollis places a lemon square on my plate and hands me a bottle of water.
“Is there anything else you need to get off your chests before we tell her about what to expect today?” she asks.
“Why is your doctor here?” Lars asks.
“He lives with us, well in the cottage behind the house,” I explain. “Doc didn’t want to be three hours away in case something happens. I’m kind of a medical enigma.”
“That’s not a good thing,” Caleb groans.
“I didn’t say it was. Really weird shit happens to me.”
I’m hoping I don’t have some kind of flashback while I’m here. I’d like to be able to pretend I’m normal-ish, even though I know I’m not.
My lemon square is fucking delicious, and I choose to enjoy it while I wait my brothers out.
“I can’t think of a thing to ask that’s not ultra personal and none of my fucking business,” Lars finally sighs as he drives.
“Good. I’m going to ask then,” Hollis laughs. “What are the best gifts your alphas have given you?”
“A tree, a pond, and my own anger shed to break shit in,” I grin.
“Why a tree?” Hollis asks.
My hand holding the plate trembles and she grabs it with wide hands.
“Alisa.”
“It’s one of those ultra personal things Lars may crash over,” I breathe.
“We’re going to the bar,” Lars decides. “I have a stash of lemon bars in Caleb’s kitchen and we need to clear the air. I fucking knew you’ve been holding shit back.”
“Do you blame me?” I ask.
“Not at all,” Hollis says. “We’re your family, kiddo. We don’t need to know everything, but a tree that makes you shake like a damn leaf seems like a big deal.”
Well, she’s not wrong. Guess I’m going to cry into some lemon squares today while my brothers get drunk.
“Did you tell the guys where we are?” I ask, sniffling.
Hollis and my brothers are staring at me as if I may disappear, and I need to stop. I told them about how Jai and his pack kidnapped me, and then skipped over some of the worst bits until I was able to explain how I escaped while having a miscarriage.
However, it wasn’t without a fuck ton of tears. I also tried not to go into too many details to keep from dropping into emotional overload. I don’t want them to see what a mess I really am.
“They did save you,” Hollis whispers.
Caleb stares at the table as tears slide down his face and he nods tightly. “I told them,” he rasps.