Page 95 of Marvelous

I looked at Frank, then at Garrick and said, “Inside.”

Garrick nodded.

Misty opened her mouth to protest, but Frank hushed her.

Then I looked at Eve and said, “You need to leave.”

She shook her head and sneered, “My kids are here.”

I was close to breaking when I said, “You're not family. They are.”

When she looked at Bronson for his help, he shook his head.

She huffed, then stormed off the porch and to her car.

I looked at Everly, Lila, Bronson, Dom, Harlee, and Tatum and said, “Can y’all give us a few minutes, then I’ll tell y’all what I was told?”

They all nodded.

Frank, Misty, Carter, Garrick, Ethan, and Talia followed me into the house.

The kids were in the living room, so I asked, “Is there somewhere we can go that will be private?”

Misty huffed, then stormed away.

We all followed her.

When Frank closed the door behind us, I took the room in and knew that this was their bedroom.

Then I looked at everyone, “Please, take a seat.”

They all shook their heads.

“You're going to need it. Please. I’m trying not to lose it.” At my words, they moved to the bed, but Garrick didn’t.

He stayed at my side.

Frank looked at Garrick and said, “You know?”

Garrick shook his head, “I know some. But not all of it.”

Then they all looked at me.

I swallowed.

“What is said in this room can never be repeated to anyone. I can’t tell you everything, even though I don’t know everything. But I promised to keep Alec safe.”

They all nodded.

“For the past sixteen years, Alec has been in the military.” At my words, Frank’s mouth dropped open.

As did Misty’s.

As did Talia’s.

Carter and Ethan had looks of disbelief on their faces.

I nodded. “While he was in basic training, he was selected because of his skills. I won’t tell you by which group he was selected. That’s for Alec to tell y’all. But he hasn’t been givingspeeches at Universities. Every time he has been gone, it’s been for missions.”