Page 370 of Black Reign

13

Thanksgiving begins with Drew Travers threatening me with poultry.

My phone rings at six seventeen in the evening, France time.

I ignore it.

It rings again.

I ignore that too.

The third call comes through NULL's emergency bypass because at some point years ago I made the catastrophic mistake of giving Kane access to a priority channel.

I answer.

Drew's face fills the screen.

He is wearing an apron that says KISS THE COOK over a black T-shirt, holding a carving knife in one hand and what appears to be a turkey leg in the other.

“You better be preventing a coup.”

I lean back in my chair.

“Hello to you too.”

Behind him is chaos.

Drew's Miami kitchen looks like a catering company collided with a fraternity.

Kane is at the island attempting to carve a turkey while Hannah keeps moving the platter every time he gets close to it.

Vale has a bottle of wine open.

Stella is taking something out of an oven.

Leo is standing beside Jade with the expression of a man who has already been blamed for something he didn't do.

Isa walks through carrying an enormous bowl.

Jalen is eating directly from another.

I count at least four pies.

Something is smoking.

Nobody appears concerned.

“Where the hell are you?” Drew demands.

“France.”

Vale looks toward the phone.

“France?”

Kane leans into frame. “I thought you were in London.”

“I was.”