Page 70 of His Greatest Treasure

“By peeking at my cards.”

Nova tucks her four cards against her chest, and I flick Patel’s arm, scowling. “Don’t look at her cards.”

“I wasn’t!”

“He was!”

“I think you’re the one cheating and trying to blame me,” Patel says.

Nova glares adorably. “It’s naughty to lie.”

“But I’m not lying!”

“Patel, give her your matches,” I order.

He gapes at me. “No way.”

“You can’t disobey your lieutenant’s orders.”

“Yeah!” Nova drawls, sticking her tongue out at him.

“This is harassment in the workplace,” he argues.

I roll my eyes. “Better take the loss, then.”

“No way.” Patel tosses his three sets of matches to Nova, and she beams at me before pulling them toward her like they’re treasure. “Now we’re even. No more cheating from you, fox.”

“I’m not a fox,” she protests.

“You’re sneaky like one,” he says.

Nova twists her mouth. “Okay, I guess.”

I glower at my squad member, but he ignores me. I’m the only one allowed to give her a nickname, and now I’ll have to smack him upside the head later.

The lack of calls today has been a blessing. Other than a small restaurant fire this morning, it’s been quiet. Captain was eager to busy himself and took my spot so I could stay here with Nova, and I owe him big time for it. I don’t want to leave her here without me, even if I know she’ll be well taken care of.

Patel asks Nova if she has any fours while I check my phonefor an update from Hart. The only one there is from shortly after I got Nova back here.

Hart: She’s all good.

Me: And? What else?

Hart: I’ll update you later.

Avery sent me the same messages, but there’s a feeling in my gut that tells me there’s more to it than I’m being told. They’re hiding something, and I want to know what it is.

“I’ll be right back. Try not to get into a fist fight with a seven-year-old girl,” I warn before standing and stepping into the gym.

Texting Avery, I try not to glare at the phone.

Me: Nova is cheating in go fish. Did you teach her how to do that?

Her reply comes back too quickly to ease the suspicion in my gut.

Princess: It’s a life skill. Of course I did.

Me: Are you okay?

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