Page 34 of Second Shooter

Lady Fen whispered, “Come home, Jia. We have missed you.”

Win cocked her head and frowned. She had always assumed her mother had returned to her family.

Lady Fen looked up and saw the frown. “Just a moment, Jia. Win looks irritated.”

There was a shriek that Win could hear from several feet away. Lady Fen flinched and held her phone away, saying, “Yes, she’s here. Compose yourself.”

Lady Fen looked at Win and said, “She would like a video call.”

Win nodded and gestured to the loveseat. “Sure.”

They sat together, and a lovely woman filled the screen with a hesitant smile. “They named you Win?”

“They did. They got your note.”

Her mother pressed shaking fingers to her lips. “Oh, your father is going to be amazed. They said you weren’t going to make it, and since I couldn’t afford treatment for you, I should put you into the system.” The words came out in a rush, and Win could see the issues. Young mother. Father unlisted and definite Elite interference.

Jia looked over her shoulder, and she whistled sharply. Thudding of feet happened behind her, and Win saw something she hadn’t counted on. An Elite in an open shirt and loose slacks walked up and kissed Jia on the cheek before he looked at the screen in astonishment. “That isn’t...”

Win’s head reeled. This wasn’t a scenario she had ever imagined. “Is he...”

Jia had tears in her eyes and nodded.

“I never considered that he was still with you.”

“He had to fake his death, and I had to disappear for a number of years after you were born. When I got in touch with my family again a few years later, they were furious.”

Win swallowed. “Do you have other kids?”

Jia shook her head. “You were a one-off, but I knew that you were in the universe, and that made me happy.”

“Does he have a name?”

The Elite, with tears in his red eyes, choked out, “Alwin.”

“Oh. Right. Win.” She smiled. In the background, she saw tropical plants and bright flowers. “You are in the islands?”

Jia smiled. “We are. Alwin can’t be there. The Elite are watching for him and others.”

“Oh. Well, you two are in love?”

Jia grinned. “I wouldn’t put up with his pasty ass if we weren’t.”

Alwin chuckled and kissed her temple. “Yes, we are.”

Win was still dazed. Everything she thought she knew about her origin was gone in an instant. “I had holiday time at my workplace, but I think I just got my last check coming to me. I don’t think I can do my regular job anymore.” She swallowed. “Would you mind a visit?”

Jia and Alwin both started sobbing. Jia squeaked a frantic nod. They smiled and said, “Please.”

She smiled. “It will take a few weeks, and then I will get Lady Fen to give me your number.”

Lady Fen muttered, “I am giving you the number today.”

Win sighed. “I met my mates last night, but our union is complicated, so I want a few weeks to sort things out.”

Jia paused and looked at her expression. “Take the number, but contact us as soon as you are ready. We will get our guesthouse ready. Um, how many mates?”

“Two dark Elite and one light. So, four of us.”

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