Renegade: The Alliance Chronicles, Book Six

Chapter 27

Asher

"Genuine friends grow up and mature. They don't grow apart."

—from Sessions with Abigail Ramirez-Lee, Psy.D., P.C.

My tumultuous life makes Dr. Lee a necessity, especially with everyone presuming they knew what was best for me. Thankfully, I have a standing appointment with the shrink. This morning my brain feels more scattered than usual, but it's the smell of bacon coaxing me from my warm bed.

When I stumble into the bathroom, I find my wife draped over the sink. Her knuckles are white from gripping the sides.

"What's wrong?" I place my hand on her lower back.

"Contractions," she says through gritted teeth.

"Like how long?"

"Started overnight. They are still too far apart." She grimaces as another one hits her.

"Not that far apart, Ree. I'll grab your bag." Dr. Lee would have to wait.

In the hall, I run into Mama Sibley.

"Is she in labor?" my grandmother asks.

"Yeah. She's trying to deny it. Can you stay with the kids?"

"Not a concern. Get Rihana to the hospital, and I'll call her parents."

"Aza!"

Mama Sibley and I both look up. Rihana stands behind us.

"My water just broke."

This child is in a hurry to see the light of day.

§

Hours later, we welcome Jalil Nicholas Ahmad into the world. He's a hefty eight-pound boy with an excellent set of lungs. Rihana is worn out, but I couldn't be prouder.

After making sure my wife and new son are resting, I decide to see Dr. Lee. Thankfully, her office is in the hospital.

"Congratulations, Asher." Dr. Lee looks at the photo of Nicky I snapped with my phone. "How is your wife?"

"Tired, naturally." I retrieve my phone and pocket it. "But she's happy."

"Good to hear." The shrink crosses her legs. "What brings you to see me today?"

"Mark is back."

"And?"

"He's in the ICU." I sigh and sink into the cushion. "He's, like, in a coma."

"I'm sorry to hear that. How does the news make you feel?"

"I'm worried for him. How else should I feel?" I rub the back of my neck. "But I don't want to talk about Mark. Not now."

"What's going on?"

"Ko is dead." I let my shoulders drop. The words make my chest ache. "She d-didn't make it back from Brazil."

Dr. Lee drops her pad of paper. "Oh, I am so sorry. I know how much she meant to you."

Too much.

Ko was the one who threatened my marriage. The Alliance targeted her, and I was chosen to get close to her. Learn all that I could before they recruited her. Problem was, I got too damn close—almost having sex with her. I spent so much time in the field I believed I loved Ko.

"Thanks."

"What happened, Asher?"

I shrug. "She had some internal injuries. The medic couldn't save her."