Page 17 of Unbound

Maren glowers at us as we finish scaling the stairs, her lips pressed into a frown, and she steps back and lets us pass into her home.

And it is definitely her home. She might not know it yet, but I’m willing to bet all my money Trevor is going to do everything in his power to make sure she never wants to leave. Because despite some of the shit that comes out of his mouth, he’s not an idiot. He found someone willing to put up with his shit, and knows that’ll probably never happen again.

“Everyone’s in the great room.” Maren’s tone is flat as she shuts the door behind us.

I’m about halfway down the entry hall when I realize I’m still holding on to Sybil. I drop my arm, but I don’t move away. Because I’m all she has. And if what she says is true, she deserves to have at least one person who isn’t her enemy.

Sybil peeks up at me as we close in on our destination, a wobbly smile touching her lips. “I’m a little nervous.”

“Everything’s going to be okay.” They’re the same words my mom used to say to me all the time. I stopped believing them for a while. Couldn’t see how life would ever be okay again without her.

But as I got older, I realized how pissed she would be at me for doubting her. For trying to prove her wrong. So I started trying to figure out how to be okay. Some days I even succeed. Today is going to be one of those days.

“Yeah.” Sybil snorts. “Sure it is.” She tucks my shirt tighter around her body as we reach the great room and every eye in it comes her way. She offers my family a half-smile and a hesitant wave. “Morning.”

Only one person responds.

“Good morning.” Deidre’s tone is neutral as she studies Sybil, her expression difficult to read. “Did you sleep well?”

I’m surprised to see Aunt DeeDee here. Last night she made herself scarce, choosing to occupy the kids while we tried to deal with whatever the fuck this is.

“I did. Thank you.” Sybil shifts on her feet. Not a lot, but I can feel it as her body barely brushes mine. “The room I stayed in at Walker’s house is gorgeous, and the bed was crazy comfortable.”

My aunt’s eyes slide to me. “I’m glad to hear that.” Turning back to the woman at my side, she tips her head at the cup Sybil’s holding onto like a lifeline. “Do you need some more coffee? Maybe something to eat?”

Deidre Bradshaw is a caretaker through and through, but I’m shocked she’s being so kind to Sybil. I’m sure she’s been told at least part of the information—if she didn’t fully eavesdrop last night and learn everything on her own—so I can’t quite figure out what her intentions are here. Because while Deidre is a caretaker, she’s also strategic as hell.

Sybil shakes her head. “I’m good. Walker made me breakfast.”

My aunt’s eyes leave Sybil to rest on me once again. “Of course he did.” She reaches out, patting the center of my chest. “You’re a good boy.”

I know my aunt tries to fill the shoes my mother left behind, and I really genuinely appreciate that. But it’s never been the same. My mother was a lot like her sister in many ways. She was determined. Fierce. Willing to take risks and face any consequences.

But they both went about things very differently.

“Why don’t you two sit down.” My aunt motions to a set of chairs angled on one side of the large fireplace.

Sybil keeps her eyes straight ahead as she selects the one closer to the stone and farther from my family. I take the other one, putting myself between her and them. If anything gets heated, I’ll be able to step in before all hell breaks loose.

Deidre slowly lowers into the chair opposite us, hands folded in her lap as she stares at Sybil. “Maybe we should let you start.”

Sybil’s eyes finally move around the space, shifting from person to person before going back to Deidre. “Okay. I can do that.” Rubbing her lips together, she pulls a breath in through her nose and blows it back out again. “My name is Sybil Shellenberger.” Sitting a little taller, she continues. “I have my real ID and birth certificate in my car. I can show them to you if you want to make sure I’m not lying.”

“You already showed us an ID and a birth certificate we believed was real.” Titus sits next to his wife, one arm draped around Mariah’s shoulders. “Maybe you should start by telling us how you managed to acquire them.”

“Well…” Sybil’s eyes come my way, holding as she says, “You can find just about anything on the internet.”

Titus’s dark brows lift, the one on the scarred side of his face shifting less than the other. “You got a fake ID that was able to pass my team’s background check on the internet.” He doesn’t ask. Because he doesn’t need to.

We all know it’s not true.

Entirely.

“I think you’re gonna need to be more specific.” I give Sybil a little direction since she still seems to want to hold back.

She offers me a small smile. “The part of the internet most people can’t get to.”

“Oh shit.” Titus leans back in his seat, looking as shocked as I was to find out Sybil is a little more than we thought. “You’re a hacker?”