Page 40 of Secret Twins for the Alien Dad

“Oh, nothing…” But I know what it is. I was just proven right immediately. One of my foolish fantasies was Zair being there when our child was born. The universe didn’t wait very long to justify all my pessimism.

Of course, that's assuming that's the only bad thing happening today. I shouldn't be in labor at all. My laughter morphs into sobs just as uncontrollable as the laughter. I let it all out as Eva helps me hobble outside.

“It’s too early… This is too soon… I… I…”

“It’s okay, Myra. It’ll all be okay. Everyone at the medical clinic will see to that. Don’t worry about anything.”

But of course, I’m going to worry. How could I do anything else in a time like this? No amount of forcing happy thoughts can stop me from worrying now.

My babies are coming weeks early. The father is not only not here but could be in trouble right now. I have everything to worry about.

“Everything will be okay,” Eva repeats over and over again as she helps me into her hovercar.

Everything will be okay? I doubt it. My life never is.

20

ZAIR

The plan is simple. Basic. And could get me killed at any time.

“It’s in his office. And he has to open the safe himself.” As for information, Lyrenne gave me almost nothing and took off with her transfer without even telling me where Vorra’s office was. Thankfully, Fin has an idea.

“You’re gonna need access to every level of Twin Stars. Not just Vorra’s office but inside the safe, too.”

“We can’t kidnap Dwight Vorra, Fin. He’s got a security detail that makes Brev’s look like a bunch of ballerinas.”

“I mean Boris.” Now there’s an idea I can work with. Boris is frequently about town, with society apps buzzing about his whereabouts all the time. Within minutes, we’ve got Glimner City Society running down Boris for us.

GCS leads us toTrim, a human-owned and operated brothel near Glimner’s abandoned spaceport. Fog hangs over the boron lake nearby, filling me with an uneasy sense of dread as we walk inside.

“He must be with one of the girls,” I shout over the unforgiving synth-music.

“He sure has a thing for humans,” Fin remarks. “You two have that in common.” We don’t have to go knocking on doors to find him, though. Rounding the corner, my foot skips over a heavy mass that nearly sends me to the floor.

There’s Boris, a young Odex in a white synth suit, passed out on the floor.

* * *

“Who are you?”he asks when he comes to in the back of Skalt’s rented hovercar.

“New security detail.” Danton hands him a lit smoke, just like one of Vorra’s lackeys would do. If we play this right, Boris won’t know us from any other muscle his father sends to look after him when he’s too drunk to stand.

Boris doesn’t notice a thing, and within minutes, walks us straight into Twin Stars. With a nod goodbye to the boys, it’s just me and him, heading down the hoverlift to Vorra’s private quarters. To where the comm can hopefully still be found.

“You don’t work for Daddy,” he snorts suddenly, coming to life once we’re inside.

I confirm it, pushing a pistol into his back. “Shall we go talk to him?”

Boris walks me straight in. For half a second, I think this just might work out and then I see it. Lyrenne said the comm would be in Dwight’s safe behind a painting. It turns my stomach when I finally see it for myself.

The Desolation of Armstrong. Oil on Canvas. Feildstv, Lee. 2338.God, if Myra could see this, she’d be sick. Coalition battle fleets fill a clear blue sky as Armstrong’s citizens cower below. A painting,commemoratingthe destruction of her planet back in the war.

“Boris!” Vorra shouts upon seeing his son. “I told you never to bring your shortspan-loving ass back here!”

“Mykidnapperinsisted.” Boris gestures to me.

Vorra’s face fills with disgust. “You can have him, Kaleidian. And you can both get the fuck out of my hotel!” This time, I point the pistol at Boris’ head. Vorra doesn’t so much as blink.

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