Page 18 of The Explorer
“I received a message for you.”
“Where?”
Banni pointed to his forehead. “I was going over my messages and there’s one from Victor, who forwarded it from Freya. Let me get my wristband and I’ll show it to you.”
“I forgot that you have a brain implant. That’s so freaky.”
Stopping to answer, Banni lowered his brow. “I know, but Europeans have been doing it for years, and once you get used to it, it’s practical.”
I focused on cooking some oatmeal for our breakfast while Banni disappeared into the tent. When he came out again, there was talking among the other men, who were all awake now.
“Do you wanna see the message now or should we wait for Indiana?”
“Does it say that the message is for both of us?”
“No. I have another one for both of you that came earlier in the morning, but this one was sent to you from your father.”
“Oh!” Raising and lowering my shoulders with a deep sigh, I gestured for Banni to play the damn hologram.
When my father’s hologram appeared, Banni stared, which didn’t surprise me since my father’s many scars made him look brutal and scary.
“Aubri, I don’t know what the hell you were thinking, offering to stay in Old Europe, but you better believe I’m furious with you. How the fuck can we keep you safe when you go and do stupid things like that? Do you realize that Khan and I are two seconds away from invading to get you home? If it weren’t for Indiana being with you, we would have come for you already.
“I want a hologram ASAP with an explanation for your reckless behavior and a big fat promise that you’re going to do as Indiana tells you to. I’m appointing him your protector and if I hear anything about you giving him a hard time, I’ll fucking come and bring your bratty butt home myself.” The hologram version of my father was stabbing his finger through the air but since I wasn’t standing face to face with him, it fell a bit flat.
I looked to Banni, who was gaping, and then to the other three, who had all exited the tent and were watching my father’s message as the hologram hung in the air.
“Your mother is upset as well, and so is Dina. We all are! Explorer work is dangerous and if anything bad were to happen to you…” My father stopped talking just shy of his voice breaking. Compared to all the shouting, that was the part of his message that moved me the most.
“Anyway, you get the message and I’m not joking, Aubri. You’d better treat Indiana as your protector and do as he says. I’m ordering him to report back to me, and one word from him about you not following orders will have your ass back here, pronto!”
With irritation my gaze went to Indiana, who stood listening with his arms folded. Once the hologram dissolved into thin air, he scratched his beard and walked over to tend to the fire.
“Whoa, who was that?” Alex asked.
“My father, Magni Aurelius.”
Alex whistled low. “Now I’m glad that we don’t have parents. Is he always that angry?”
“He’s worried about his daughter,” Indiana said in defense of my father.
“Yeah, but why does he talk to Aubri like she’s a little kid?” Banni asked. “It’s not like she needs supervision. She’s an adult and shouldn’t have to answer to you or anyone about how she lives her life.”
I shot Banni a broad smile. “I like you more and more each day.”
“Stop fucking flirting with him,” Indiana grumped and stood up, lifting his chin in a challenging stance.
We stood for a second on each side of the fire pit with our jaws set and our gazes clashing.
“If you report to my father, I’ll be furious with you.”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“Then lie if you have to. This is my chance to have an adventure.”
Indiana narrowed his eyes. “You’remyresponsibility.”
“You heard Banni, I’m an adult who doesn’t need your supervision.”
