Page 104 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

Leaning into the wall, I take a deep breath.

Aaron, Forest, Xavier, our friends, and now this baby?

How the hell are all of us going to make it out of this?

Chapter thirty-two

Forest- The Dark Days

"Ithink I have everything we need."

Laying out the plan before us, Andrew's attack plan for the Revolutionists looks as perfect as it can be. For months he has been planning, trying to find the best approach to rid his people of the hand that has taken control of his world.

Initially, we had no insight. Now that Xavier has the clarity we worked so hard for him to have, the knowledge he carried about the Prophet is undeniably useful.

Looking at him now, cleaning his gear with such concentration, it's easy for me to see the small boy from all those years ago.

Does he truly remember nothing from his time in the lab?

Is there really no way for him to remember what I do?

It took me a while to put it together.

So many aspects of my past I blocked out, keeping it far away from my mind. I grew up learning the mind blocks out trauma it doesn't want to reflect on.

Xavier is the farthest thing from someone I don't want to forget.

"I will let you know if I think of anything else," I trail off, barely registering Andrew's words.

Only half listening to his words, his fingers graze the corner of my mouth.

"Are you smiling?" Andrew whispers.

Nudging him away, I glare at him.

"That will be all, Andrew," I hiss. "Thank you."

Smiling like a drunken fool, I pray he has not taken notice of how red my cheeks got the minute he pointed out my body's reaction to watching Xavier. Excusing himself from the cabin, he waves us both off, finally getting a reaction from Xavier.

Smiling at Andrew, his grin feels as if it lights up the space around us.

"Any reason he is off in a hurry?" Xavier asks.

Though he has posed the statement as a question, he knows very well why I have asked Andrew to leave.

"I didn't like what he was saying," I answer honestly.

"Didn't like what he was saying?" Xavier scoffs. "I also think it's cute when you get distracted and smile."

Crossing my arms, I glare at him.

"I never said Andrew called me cute."

"He didn't?" Xavier gasps. "I guess I must have slipped up and said my own thoughts."

Smiling once again, he takes a seat on the couch, tapping his lap pridefully.

"Come here, Forest Flower."

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