A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Finally, we made it!" Lance stretched his arms wide as he and Calliope climbed out of the private jet. "Man, I am totally wiped out!"

Calliope rolled her shoulders and took a deep breath of the cool night air. "Where's your brother?" she asked, glancing around the quiet driveway.

Lance shrugged. "He's probably crashed already."

Their private jet had been comfortable, sure, but after hours in the air, even first class felt like sitting in a can of sardines.

"How about we just get some rest and check in with him tomorrow?" Lance suggested.

Calliope gave him a sideways look. "You haven't told me much about your brother's situation, you know. If it's serious, maybe we shouldn't wait. But if it's not, tomorrow's fine."

"It's not too bad," Lance said, but his voice was uncertain. "He's got some old injuries—got them when he saved me, actually. Those spots still flare up now and then."

He hesitated, looking down at his shoes. "But honestly, I think there's something else. I get the feeling he's been poisoned or something. He's looked off lately- pale, tired. And he's been snappier than usual. He never used to lose his temper with me."

years younger, just a little brother worried about

like that

other symptoms? Anything get to

way. My brother's not the kind

didn't argue. She'd met Hudson Howell a couple of times, and he had always seemed like the most unflappable guy in the room cool as a cucumber, even when everyone else was losing it. If Lance said he was

can mess with your mind," she said thoughtfully. "Maybe we should just check on him tonight, make sure he's okay. If he's fine,

phone. "He's fast asleep, I can see he's resting easy. No point in waking him

an eyebrow. "Wait, you

crash in his room. It's not just about keeping an eye on him-it's... well, I just worry about

see," Calliope said, suppressing a smirk. "So it's okay for you to barge in, but

I miss my brother. You go let one of the staff show you to your room, I'm gonna check

minute, he's all about not disturbing his brother, and