Page 98 of Protected By the Convicts
“It’s the kitchen. It seems to have this effect on everyone. I haven’t quite figured out why.”
Ky surveyed the room. “It’s just a kitchen.”
“And yet I think I’ve had more sex here than in the bedrooms.”
“Curious. But I came here with a question about the babies.” He looked troubled. “I need your guidance, sha’vi. If the second baby had been Sersie’s, I’d call it Little Sersie. Just like I’ll call Vaughn’s child ‘Little Vaughn’ after him. But for Ren’s child, I have a quandary.”
“What quandary?” she asked. Ky’Li had seemed genuinely happy when he learned the babies were healthy. He’d congratulated both Ren and Vaughn, with no ill-will toward either.
“I cannot call a child, especially one that is yours, Little Asshole after his or her father.”
Hannah tried to contain her laughter.
“This is not funny, sha-vi. I will not make a child, any child, even one produced by Ren, feel less loved because of who his or her father is. It’s not right.”
“Will you love the children equally?”
“Most certainly! I would never blame a child for the sin of his or her father.”
“No sins here!” Ren yelled from the roof. “Got convicted for someone else’s crime, and I’ve finished my term!”
“Quiet, Asshole. I’m having a private conversation with my female,” Ky’Li yelled out the window.
“Ourfemale,” Ren corrected. “In fact, if you think about it—”
Ky’Li shut the window, cutting Ren off.
“You could perhaps call Ren by his name, Ky. I don’t think you should be swearing around the children regardless of the reason.”
“But using a man’s name means giving him honor, respect.”
“Don’t you respect Ren by now, after all he’s done for everyone here? After what he just did,here?”
“I have respect for his skills as an engineer. And. . . potentially in other areas. I will have to investigate those.”
“But as a person?” Hannah said.
“He’s important to you. He will be important to the child.”
“Then you do respect him, Ky’Li. Say it already and admit the truth.”
“Do you truly need me to say the words?”
“It would be nice to hear.”
Ky’Li inhaled deeply, then released his breath and stood straight, as if he were summoning all his strength.
“He’s your brother,” she reminded him. “By a bonding ceremony sacred to your people.”
“I know, which is why I have refrained from strangling him twice already this week alone.”
“A whole two times?”
“I slipped up on the third, but before I could do permanent damage, I remembered that he signed up for the midnight to three am baby shift.”
“I think you’ll figure this out, Ky. I have faith in you. Find another way to annoy him if you must.”
A sly look overcame Ky’s features. She was truly beginning to think he drew pleasure from aggravating Ren.
