Chapter 0431

“Yes, just what everyone wants when they’re searching for the perfect home,” dad murmurs, sending her a smirking glance. Mom nods eagerly, like that’s obviously true.

Jackson and I keep quiet, standing close together. Feeling my anxiety, he sends a warm pulse of reassurance down our bond and brushes his hand against mine. I smile up at him and send my thanks, but then I sigh and turn towards the doors as they open.

It’s a short, quiet walk down the hall to the room where my professors wait, and when the five of us enter the Captain raises his eyebrows in surprise. Neumann just smirks like he was expecting it and then glances at his watch like he’s eager to get this over with. Alvez, to my surprise, is the warmest.

“Ella!” he says, striding eagerly over and reaching for her hand.

“John!” she says, fond, taking his hand and leaning forward to exchange brief kisses on the cheek. My eyebrows fly up and I look, a little stunned, between Rafe and Jackson, who return my expression. I mean, we knew that mom hired Alvez, but we did not know that they were friends.

My dad clears his throat and Alvez murmurs his apologies, bowing quickly to my dad and taking his spot back on the other side of the table.