House of Blood and Beasts

44. Infiltration

Ruhn woke to the sound of a buzzing phone. He squinted against the morning sunlight and drew his phone out from beneath his pillow. The screen was empty. He rolled over just as Sarai sat up, her phone already in her hands. "What is it?" He asked.

"Just Bryce." Sarai smiled, reading a few messages. "She's asking if I'll help her beat up Danika later."

"Why?"

"Dani made her get a new tattoo towards the beginning of the week and she said it's killing her."

"Poor Bryce," Ruhn chuckled.

"Now she's complaining about her date tonight and asking if I want to go to the White Raven with her and two of her other friends instead."

"You should."

"I can't," Sarai sighed. "I've got something else planned, and even if I didn't, I'd go spend Bonding night with the Devils. Nathalie is sharing some big news with them tonight."

"What big news?" Ruhn twisted out of bed and grabbed his pants.

"She's pregnant."

He glanced at Sarai, raising an eyebrow. "Who's the father?"

"Bronson."

"I thought they weren't actually together."

"It's complicated," Sarai answered, pursing her lips. "She did say that Bronson is happy and they're planning to move in together though."

"Good. How do you think the Devils will react?"

"I think they'll be a bit surprised, but mostly happy. They've always known about Bronson and Nathalie's...affair, I suppose you could call it. It's just never been confirmed."

"Ah." Ruhn shrugged into a shirt, then paused as his phone vibrated. He picked it up and read the message quickly. "Fuck."

"What?"

"You might tell Nathalie to wait to share her news. I don't think Danika will be in any mood to hear it."

"Why? What's wrong?"

Ruhn sighed, scanning the message again. "Philip Briggs is being released from prison today."

"That Human terrorist the Devils took down?"

Ruhn nodded. "The bomber. Apparently there was a mistake on his paperwork. Some sort of technicality. I've just been summoned to a meeting about it later this afternoon."

Sarai rubbed her forehead with a groan. "Dani will be pissed."

"We'll figure it out. There's no way the Governor will let Briggs walk free." Sarai stiffened at the mention of the Governor. Ruhn knit his brows, but didn't question her. "I'll take Dec along. He might know something that can help. He's good with this sort of thing."

"All right. Just keep that bastard in prison where he belongs."

"I'll do my best." Ruhn shrugged into his Aux uniform and grabbed his boots, then the Starsword. "I've got some things to do at the Aux before the meeting. Are you going to hang around here or...?"

She shook her head. "Rafe put me on a patrol with him and Holly."

"Then I'll see you later tonight?" Ruhn asked, leaning towards her.

"Or tomorrow," Sarai answered. She brushed her lips across his with a smile.

Ruhn cupped the back of her neck, kissing her deeply. "I love you."