The lazy genius has 5 mates

chapter 55

Her mates followed her to the east lounge, all five of them crowding around her in a messy, panicked circle.

Holwen brushed dust from her sleeve.
"You could have died."

Zolekh cupped her jaw gently.
"That many attackers? Inside your home?"

Abel's hands hovered near her arms as though afraid she'd disappear.
"You should have called us."

Rolkan ran both hands through his hair.
"You fought them alone—"

"I wasn't alone," Roxanne corrected.
"My family was here."

Helixiar crossed her arms tightly.
"You're avoiding the question."

Roxanne sighed.

She hated this part.

She hated lying even more.

But she couldn't tell them about the triplet curse... not yet.
Not until she understood the full scope.

Instead, she sank onto the sofa.

"There's... history," she admitted quietly.
"Old Black family enemies. Ones who don't care about laws, borders, or reason."

Holwen knelt in front of her.
"Are we part of this history now?"

"You already were the day you met me," she said honestly.

Rolkan blinked.
"...Oh. Damn."

Abel sat beside her slowly.
"What do they want from you?"

Roxanne chose her words carefully.

"They want Black technology.
They want access.
And they want me alive long enough to take it."

Holwen's eyes darkened with something predatory.

"No one touches you."

Roxanne looked away — she couldn't handle the intensity of that stare right now.

"I just... need you all to trust me. There are things I will tell you soon. But not yet. Not before I understand it myself."

Zolekh nodded slowly.
"We trust you. All of us."

Rolkan added softly,
"But don't shut us out."

Roxanne swallowed.
"I won't."

Holwen leaned his forehead gently against hers.

"Good. Because I will burn down the planet if you vanish again."

"Same," Abel murmured.

Helixiar nodded like a silent vow.

Zolekh smirked. "I'll bring the gasoline."

Rolkan: "I'll bring snacks."

Roxanne snorted — but leaned into them anyway.

Just for a moment.

Just enough.

In the sub-level interrogation room, the captured intruder sat tied to a metal chair.

He didn't look scared.

He looked... resigned.

Aurum, Cain, and Loman flanked Roxanne as she took a seat opposite him.
Grandpa Black stood behind her, leaning on his cane like a judge awaiting the verdict.

The man spoke first.

"Your family hasn't changed."

Roxanne raised an eyebrow.
"Well this is awkward. We haven't met."