Page 62 of Secret Gifts
“Yeah. Fortunately, I’m allowed to float from one thing to another,” he says casually with a one-shoulder shrug.
“This is a pretty high profile lead. You’re getting those pitched to you more and more. At least you’re finally getting recognized,” my aunt says to me with a smile, and I can’t stifle my own grin.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”
“She should have been recognized sooner,” Jase sighs out. “The commander had far too much faith in Hedin.”
“The commander is only full blood. You can’t expect him to know all and see all at all times,” my aunt defends.
“I can expect it if that’s his reasoning for keeping his identity quiet. If the whole purpose is to make sure he has good, trustworthy people in place, then he should step up his game,” Jase counters, his grip tightening on me. “Something could have happened to Aria if her brother hadn’t caught that vision.”
“Aria would have found a way out of that one way or another. She’s like her Mom and Dad in that aspect. She just doesn’t realize her own strength because everyone is constantly stepping in to save her. She’s stronger than we give her credit for.”
“Aria is right here,” I huff while raising my hand, and they both let out a laugh, their argument ceasing.
“I need to go find Grayson. He’s supposed to be setting up a surveillance team. I’ll see you at our next rendezvous point.”
I wave as she darts off, and then I lean against my full blood.
“That was weird. My aunt isn’t usually so defensive of the commander.”
“Oh? How is she normally?” he says with a smirk.
“She’s usually just neutral. She doesn’t agree or disagree with anything said.”
“So you’ve had debates over the commander before? Care to elaborate, Ms. Banner?” he says with a devilish grin.
I shrug indifferently.
“Well, I’m usually the one starting the arguments. I don’t think he’s right to keep his identity a secret. It’s important we have a face leading us instead of a phantom. It’s rather irritating, and it makes me question his reasoning. If there’s no name, no face, nothing to know about him, then how do we know what kind of job he’s actually doing? He could be anywhere, doing anything, and we could lose this war because of it.”
He nods, acting as though he’s heard this argument before.
“And what does the rest of your family think?” he pries.
“Rex wholeheartedly agrees with me, but Mom argues in defense of him. That means he’s cute,” I grumble, and Jase laughs ridiculously loud.
“Why would you say that?” he chuckles out.
“Because my mom is a sucker for a cheeky grin. She sees the good in everyone, but especially smooth talking Romeos. That has me worried he’s out prowling for women instead of doing his job.”
He smirks, and his lips press over my forehead before his hand slides back around my waist.
“I can assure you he’s not quite the lady-lover you think he is. My sister knows him, and she says he’s very hooked on just one girl - one girl who he intends to keep safe while very thoroughly doing his job.”
“A girl could just be a distraction,” I argue.
“Not the right girl. She’s actually been good for the United from what I’ve been told. As it turns out, she helped him get rid of some very pathetic people in command,” he says with what seems like a sour taste in his mouth.
“Well, I hope you’re right,” I murmur through a sigh, my head leaning on his shoulder.
He grips me tighter, his cool breath washing away the thick heat of the sun as we step out into the courtyard.
“I know I’m right.”
C
hapter 10
