“Wait, that means Dani...”
“Is your niece,” Pippen supplied.
Amber smiled at that. “I love that little girl.”
“She loves you, too,” Pippen said. He stood from his chair and cautiously walked around the table. I slid back out of the way, knowing what he wanted. “Can I hug you?” he asked quietly.
Amber flew from her chair into Pippen’s arms. They held each other tight, and I felt something stir inside my chest. For the first time, I wondered about my birth parents.
Could I have a sibling out there I didn’t know about? It made me want to call my mom and ask her what she knew. But was I prepared for that information?
“Wait,” Amber said, pulling away from Pippen. “What about our parents? Who are they? Are they alive? Where are they?”
The rapid-fire questions made us all stiffen. Everyone in the room, other than Amber and Pippen, knew the answers.
“That is something we can’t share with you yet,” Sypher announced. “I’m sorry. But this affects the lives of other people and until that’s resolved, it’s better this way. I know you both want to know. What I can tell you is, your parents love you both very much and would do anything to keep you safe. Including staying away for the time being.”
“That doesn’t make sense. If Jane is dead, and I am the only one who can run the Society, then won’t it just fall apart?” Amber asked.
I watched Sypher as he tried to navigate the question. He wouldn’t tell us who else would be affected by the news of Amber and Pippen. But something told me the Society had nothing to do with it.
“Amber,” Pippen voiced. “I’d like to get to know my big sister.”
“Of course.” Amber smiled. “Maybe we could go to the diner? I haven’t been out in so long.” Her parents quickly forgotten, replaced by the excitement of getting to know her brother.
“I’d like that,” Pippen murmured.
“I want a prospect following you,” King commanded, and Amber groaned. “The old ladies have one when they leave. I told you. You’re family. We take care of our family.”
Amber walked over and hugged King, before turning and hugging me too. “Thank you both for being here for this. I don’t think I could have done it without you.”
“Like King said, we’re family.” I kissed the top of her head and followed them out to the main room. “Archie, Amber is going out. You’re her shadow.”
“You got it!”
“Well, that went better than I expected,” Haizley said from behind me.
“What did you expect?” I asked.
“A lot more anger.”
“Amber doesn’t have it in her to hate someone she loves. You’ve done a lot for her. And you aren’t to blame for her circumstances.”
“I know. I just wish I could have told her everything right away.”
“Hey. You’re good at what you do.”
Haizley eyed me for a moment before asking, “How are you doing?”
“I’m good.”
I knew she didn’t believe me. She looked around the room, then asked, “Will I see you this week?”
I inhaled deeply, stalling before I blew out the breath. “I’m trying.” It was the only answer I had.
“That’s enough for me,” she said, patting my arm.
I left the clubhouse. My solo ride got interrupted this morning. If I could sneak away, I could take it now. And I knew exactly where I wanted to go.
