Page 7 of Sigma

A whole island, and I’m alone on it.

Well, except for the security dudes, but I’ll never even lay eyes on them—that’s the very definition of their job, invisible protectors, so good at their job that I mostly forget they’re even there.

But with Layla and everyone not due back till evening, I’m tempted to call one of them in to the house just for someone to talk to.

Ugh.

Duke and Temple should be here in a few hours, too. That makes me feel better.

But still…

A worm of unease wriggles in my gut.

It’s been twenty years, but I recognize this feeling: something isn’t right. I just don’t know what.

I can only hope I’m imagining it.

2

Abducted

Aunt Layla’s phone buzzes; after a brief pause, she announces, “Killy is joining us.”

Bryn snorts. “It’s a girl’s shopping trip, Mom. Why does Killy have to come?”

“I guess Cal is going with Uncle Val last minute,” Aunt Layla says.

This gives me pause. “He is?”

Layla shrugs. “That’s what your mom just texted me.”

I stop, and the others stop with me. “Why?”

Layla hands me her phone. “Call her and ask, Rin, I don’t know. I just know your mom just let me know to expect Killian. Your dad and Cal are dropping him off here.”

“Cal, my surf bro gamer nerd brother, is going with Dad to sign the sale of his four-billion-dollar medical company?” I have to remind myself to breathe. “He told me I couldn’t go. But now he’s bringing Cal?”

“Rin,” Layla starts.

But I’m not done—I’m just getting started. “Cal wouldn’t know a noncompete clause from a nondisclosure agreement.”

“Rin.”

“I mean, sure, Cal is smart, I’m not saying he’s not, butI’mthe business-minded one of the two of us.”

“Rin.” Layla’s voice breaks through my rant.

“What.” It comes out monotone and petulant—childish, and I immediately regret it.

She holds me by the shoulders. “He’s got to start somewhere, right? And besides, we’ve got plans.”

“Yeah, but not with Killy,” Bryn says—they have a relationship much like Cal and I do, equal parts antagonistic and affectionate and competitive.

“We can include your brother.”

“He’s going to get a manicure?” Bryn arches an eyebrow.

Layla laughs. “He can look at surfboards or something.” She puts an arm around both Bryn and me. “The point is, we have fun stuff planned, so don’t get all bent out of shape about Cal doing this trip with your dad. You’ve been on plenty of business trips with him, Rin. It can be Cal’s turn for once, right?”