Page 292 of Lodestar

Because I sensed genuine hurt behind the bitchy statement, I grabbed Star’s hand and quickly translated, “She’s saying they’re your family and you left them behind, Star.”

For a second, there was silence, then Star drawled, “If you’re saying you missed me, then there are nicer ways to do it.”

Rachel scoffed, “I never said that.”

My lips twitched.

“What did you call the baby?”

“Sommer.”

“First Wynter, now Sommer… You aiming for an Autumn and a Spring next?” Star joked.

“No. Two daughters named after seasons are plenty.”

“She okay?” was Star’s next question. This time it was uneasy.

“She’s beautiful, and Rex is a sucker for her.”

“I’d like to see that.”

“The compound hasn’t moved,” she retorted. “You could stop by for a damn visit. I couldn’t believe it when Maverick told Rex that you’d had Kat picked up and brought into the city.”

More hurt.

I squeezed Star’s hand again and translated, “Star, you hurt her feelings.”

“Damn straight she did,” Rachel groused. “Whoever that is, give him a medal. He deserves it.”

“I prefer pies,” I retorted with a quick grin.

Rachel sniffed.

“I’m only here on a pit stop. Plus, I… I genuinely didn’t think you guys would care.”

“Well, we do.”

Star’s expression was blank—she had no idea what to do with that information—so, Star being Star, she cut shit down to the basics. “If we’re family, then you won’t have a problem with why I’m calling—I need your help.”

“Flies and honey,” I muttered with a sigh.

Both women ignored me.

Rachel argued, “I need a massage, a pair of tits that don’t leak, and a night off. Some things just aren’t possible right now.”

“This is important.”

“If you think I’m going to let you blackmail some other?—”

“I’m not!” Star barked, speaking over Rachel and darting me a guilty look.

"Do I even want to know?" I mumbled to myself.

Star cleared her throat and forged ahead, “I want to ask you about David Foundry.”

I'd take that as a no.

“The attorney general? What about him?”

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