Free Lost In Dreamland by Cheryl Dragon Page B

really had no answer. “I don’t know. I feel connected to her.”
    “You’re both being held here and don’t want to be. It’s understandable you’re looking for friends and connections.” Adonis patted her shoulder.
    “It’s more than that. I can make friends with Liz or some of the other women around here, but I’m not the science brain they are. You guys gave me a camera so I could photograph things, but I can’t get my mind off some poor woman who’s in isolation.” She threw up her hands. “I trust my instincts. Maybe that makes me too sensitive for Dreamland living, but I can’t help it.”
    Her dad’s eyes locked on hers and she felt he was hiding something. “What?” she asked. “What aren’t you telling me?”
    “You need to understand it’s top secret. I can’t risk you telling anyone or freaking you out.” Her dad shook his head.
    “Dad, tell me the truth. I went through the memory thing. I’ve tried to get along here. If you’re honest with me, I’ll stay here until it’s safe to leave. No more stunts. You also have to make sure the rent is paid on my apartment so my stuff is safe while I can’t be out there working. And just to be clear, I’m not giving up my guys no matter what.” She wagged a finger at him.
    “I taught you how to negotiate too well.” He smiled slightly. “Fine. I’ll tell you the truth. Your instincts have always been too good.”
    “What does that mean?” She got a chill.
    “First, understand, I can move the hybrid where you can’t get to her. Another base, anywhere. No trying to see her again without permission. It won’t help her at all.” His voice was calm and deliberate, like when he told her what boys wanted before her first date. He could make anything sound painful and scary.
    “I get it. You’re powerful, and you don’t want me talking to her. I didn’t tell her she was a hybrid. That’s a shock I don’t want to give her if I can’t back it up with information about her real parents and how it all happened. It’s not fair to her.” Bonnie wasn’t interested in hurting people just to throw the truth out there. “I think she deserves to know the truth.”
    “That’s something we have to control. Right now, her not knowing the truth is safer for her, trust me. I don’t want to hurt her anymore than you do. I’m as concerned for her as I am for you.”
    He sounded sincere, but Bonnie didn’t understand it. “That’s nice, I guess. I am your daughter so maybe that’s why I’m getting more freedom.”
    “No, you’re getting more freedoms because you’re a human. You’re both my daughters.” Hastings looked to the guys.
    Bonnie blinked and looked around the room. The men looked as surprised as she was. Focusing on her father, Bonnie shook her head. “Look at me, Dad.”
    He finally stared her straight in the eye. “It’s not a joke. Shannon is my daughter. That’s the connection.”
    “You cheated on Mom with an alien chick?” Bonnie held her head. “You’re serious?”
    “I was on lockdown for six months. You were barely three months old. Your mother hated me because I wasn’t there to help, but we had a female alien refugee. That’s never happened since,” he explained.
    “So you had to sleep with her?” Bonnie stood and wanted to hit something. Violence was an urge she’d so rarely had that it made her shake. “You’re telling me Shannon is my little sister?”
    “Half sister, yes.” Hastings nodded. “And yes, your mother knows about it. We had a bit of a separation when you were two, but we worked it out. Our lives have never been normal. We’ve all sacrificed for our security.”
    “What a sacrifice!” she rolled her eyes.
    Zane got up and hugged her. “Hey, give it a little time. Process it.”
    Hastings tapped his fingers on the desk nervously. “I’m sure it’s a shock. Your mother had the odd misstep too but no other siblings.”
    “That explains the connection. You’re related.”