A Controller's Destiny (Unit Matched #3) (11 page)

Another tear rolls down his cheek, but he doesn’t say anything. He only stares at me. Then I feel it. It wraps me up like a warm blanket on a cold night.

It’s our love for each other.

Chapter 13

The Game Plan

“You can quit.” Graham is leaning against the kitchen counter. He stayed in our bed all night again, with his arms wrapped around me. Now, he’s in his uniform ready for work.

“No, I like working. I’m not quitting.” I stand in front of him.

“Okay. It’s your choice.” He takes my hand. “Xaviera called Mom and Dad and told them that I needed to be closer around for her and Thaddeus.”

“Why?”

He gives me a pointed look. “So, I will only work half days and be around you more.” He pulls me closer to him. “May fourteenth isn’t that far away,” he whispers.

I nod.

“I want to take you to work and pick you up. That way you’re not alone, either.”

I look up at him. “Okay, I’m not going to argue with you.”

“See,” he leans in closer. “I love this side of you.”

I’m puzzled at what he is thinking.

“The agreeable side.” He answers my unasked question.

“Fine. Now that you’re my chauffeur we need to leave, so I’m not late.” I pat his shoulder and grab my purse and bag.

“Yes, Mrs. Centers.”

~~~

My day at work flew by and I love that my students missed me. I know that I haven’t been there long, but I’ve really grown attached to them already.

“So, this is what the girl sides of Unit Middle looks like.”

I turn to see Graham standing in the doorway. He has changed out of his work clothes and into a pair of jeans and a sweater.

“What are you doing here?”

“Picking you up,” he smirks. “We had this conversation this morning.”

“I know that; I assumed that you would wait outside.” I pack my bag and grab my purse.

He shrugs. “Are you ready?”

I nod. Graham takes my messenger bag and holds my hand, leading me out of the building.

Once we were in the truck, he tells me that Xaviera wants to have dinner tonight with everyone.

“She thinks we need to go over our game plan.”

“Okay. I can whip up something.”

“Nah, Deus and O are bringing pizzas.”

“I hope they let me get a few words in with this
game plan
,” I mumble.

“Why?”

“Because I have a few suggestions.” I keep my voice low.

“Shorty, we’ll all listen to you. I promise.” Graham squeezes my hand as we pull into our driveway.

I walk in the house and the aroma of pizza over takes me.

“Guess they’re here.” I grin at him.

“Amaya’s so pushy.” He rolls his eyes.

I giggle as I walk into the kitchen because I know that he’s right. Xaviera is already devouring one of several slices in front of her and there are four more boxes on our counter.

“Welcome home, honey.” Amaya smiles handing me a plate and a bottle of water. “How was work, sweetheart?” she asks in her overly sweet voice.

I laugh at her and head over to the table. She can always make me laugh, no matter my mood.

“I couldn’t wait till later. I’m starving.” Xaviera says with her mouth full.

“It’s fine.”

Everyone chit-chats about their day, work projects, and school. I listen to the comfortable atmosphere and welcome the normalcy of it.

Once we finish, and the guys clean up, we gather back around and get down to business.

“We need to figure out how to keep Xaviera and JJ safe and get the upper hand.” Amaya starts.

“That lies with Gia.” Thaddeus points at me.

“Have you noticed any of the timelines changing?” Oliver asks.

I shake my head. “I checked this morning and everything is the same.”

“Zane is a known liar. I think it’s a trick of his,” Oliver adds.

“There has to be something that we’re missing.” Xaviera rubs her belly. “Something that can save Gia, JJ, and Unit.”

“We’ve all racked our brains already. There’s nothing,” I tell them. “The plan is all laid out. We’ve already discussed this.”

Xaviera sighs heavily. “This would be easier if we were like the Avengers and all in equal strength.”

Amaya gasps. “Oh my Mother Nature. Oh my Mother Nature. Oh my Mother Nature.” She jumps up from her chair. “That’s it. That’s the missing piece.”

“What?” the whole table exclaims.

“Graham. He’s the missing piece.” She points at him.

“I’m right here, Amaya. I’m not missing.” Graham grumbles at her.

“Shut up and listen. You’re equals.” Amaya says, but we stare at her. “Come on, are you all that dense? Gia and Graham are equals. That’s why he can read the book and we can’t. They have the same powers.”

My mouth drops and I look at Graham. He’s staring at me wide-eyed. All Matched couples are of equal strength when the blessing is given by the King.

“What?” I breathe out.

“Shit,” Thaddeus curses. “Why hadn’t we thought of this before?”

Everyone perks up and looks at Graham as if he was about to turn into the Incredible Hulk or something.

“We need to test this theory. I mean, just because he can read the book doesn’t mean he has all her powers.” Oliver brings us back to reality.

“Fight me.” Amaya announces and we all turn to her. “We all know Graham is the number two Protector and I’m number one. Stop looking at me like that, Graham.” She points her finger at him. “You know it’s the truth. However, if he has Gia’s strength, he should be able to beat me up with no problem.” She is bouncing up and down like she just found a new toy. “Let’s go outside and try.”

“I’m not going to fight you, Amaya,” Graham growls.

Xaviera slams her hand on the table, making us all jump. She leaps to her feet. “You’re going to get your ass out to the backyard and fight Amaya. I don’t care what we all have to do but I refuse to let Gia die or any harm come to my son or Unit. Now, get up.”

We’re all stunned.

“Xaviera said ʿassʾ. I think that means she’s serious.” Amaya winks and heads to the backyard.

Graham stands up and we all follow her out the backdoor. I’ve never seen Xaviera that upset before. We put on our jackets. I touch Xaviera’s hand to calm her.

“You’re not going to die.” Her jaw is tight and her teeth are clenched.

I send a wave of calm through her and she instantly relaxes. “I’ll protect you, first and foremost.”

“Come on.” Amaya yells and we go out to the yard.

The snow is still on the ground, but Amaya doesn’t put on her coat. I know that she has to be cold, but she’s so excited to see if this works that I know that she can’t feel it.

“Amaya, I don’t want to fight you.” Graham shakes his head. “There has to be another way.”

“Graham,” Amaya stands right in front of him and shoves him hard. He stumbles a couple steps. “Do you think my mother is going to go easy on you if you two are in those woods together?”

He looks at me and I give him a sad smile.

“No.”

“Exactly. So, stop being a little cry baby and fight me.” Amaya gets in her stance.

Graham doesn’t move.

“Are you a little shy?” Amaya eggs him. “I know your Matched is watching, but I’ll go easy on you if this theory is wrong.”

Graham looks back at me.

“She’s not going to stop until you do it. Trust me, I know,” I tell him.

He rolls his eyes.

“Fine.” He gets into his stance.

“First one down wins.” Amaya smiles.

“G, please don’t kill my Matched.” Oliver says.

“Hey,” Amaya whines.

“Just in case, babe.” Oliver smiles.

My heart races a little, because I’ve never seen Graham fight. I’ve watched Amaya a thousand times, but seeing Graham is completely different.

Amaya swings first, but misses his face by mere inches. He reacts and connects with her shoulder. Amaya winces, but doesn’t back down. She tries to do a leg sweep, but Graham catches her, and flips her over.

She kicks back up and almost jabs his nose. Graham stops her with one hand and boxes her side twice. Amaya give him three swift kidney shots, but it doesn’t faze him.

Amaya tries to get him into a headlock, but Graham counteracts and throws her down to the ground.

Hard.

“Enough.” Amaya puts up her hand. “You win.”

We all rush to her, but it’s Graham that helps her to her feet.

“Did I hurt you at all?”

Graham shakes his head.

“Damn it,” she grumbles as she leans against Oliver. Amaya looks over at us. “He’s stronger. He has your powers.” She pants, trying not to wince from the pain. “He’s the missing piece.”

“Let’s get inside,” Thaddeus orders and we all rush into the living room.

Amaya is shivering from the cold and Oliver takes off his sweatshirt, leaving him in a T-shirt, and gives to her while I hand her a blanket. Xaviera and Thaddeus sit on the loveseat across from us. Graham sits in his recliner and I sit on the arm of it.

“Okay, he has the strength, but what about the Controller power or that orb thing you do?” Amaya’s teeth chatter as she looks at me.

“Have you felt different? Have you felt people’s feelings when they are close to you?” I ask him.

“I don’t know. I have noticed a few things. Mainly about you, though.” He stares at me.

I blush at his words. I shake my head trying to not think about what he’s feeling and focus.

“Okay, look at Xaviera.” I point over at her. “Focus on her. It helps me when I connect with the eyes.”

Graham takes a deep breath. “Fine.” He looks at Xaviera. I can tell that he is uncomfortable, but he does it.

“What is she feeling?” I ask softly.

He doesn’t say anything and they continue to stare at each other. “She’s scared, extremely nervous, and she’s still hungry.”

We all laugh because she rolls her eyes.

“Is he right?” Thaddeus asks.

“Yes,” I answer for her. “I’ve been in tune with her for years.”

“You’re still hungry? You ate a whole pizza.” Amaya looks over at her.

“Shut up.” Xaviera pouts, rubbing her belly. Thaddeus kisses her temple, smiling at her.

“He has the power and the Controller trait, but what about the orbs?” Oliver looks at me.

I take a deep breath and turn to Graham. “The orbs came to me when Xaviera became pregnant. I’m not sure if you can do them, but let’s try.”

“I feel like a science project,” he grumbles.

“Don’t make Xaviera yell again.” This time I wink at him.

He rolls his eyes playfully.

I call for the orb and the pale blue light appears, baseball size, in my hand. “Stick out your hand.”

He does and I silently command the orb into his hand.

“Now, I think of it as a ball. So, imagine it that way and throw it at Xaviera.” I tell him.

“Wait.” Thaddeus stands away from Xaviera. “Try it on me first. Just in case something goes wrong.”

I nod and Graham stands. I can feel the nervousness and fear rolling off him.

“Relax.” I touch his hand.

Graham does and tosses the orb at Thaddeus and it cocoons him in the pale blue light.

“Oh my Mother Nature.” Amaya breathes out. Oliver and Xaviera’s mouth drop.

Graham did it.

“How do I get it back?” he looks at me.

“Focus on it and tell it.”

He nods and looks back at Thaddeus. A few seconds later the light comes back to Graham and evaporates.

The emotions he has are gone and now pride overtakes him.

“Good job.”

“Wait,” Oliver looks between us. “Gia, didn’t you say before that you can’t cover yourself?”

“Yes.”

“But, you can cover Graham?”

“Yes.”

“Can Graham cover you then?”

“Oh,” I look over at Graham. “I don’t know.” I go over and stand where Thaddeus was. I conjure another orb and place it in his hand. “Try.” I smile encouragingly at him.

Graham stares at me and tries to throw the orb for a full minute, but it never moves from his hand. I begin to feel his anger and I take the orb from his hand and toss it over at him. It easily covers him and I smile in relief to know that I can still save him.

I pull it back to me when Amaya curses again. “I thought that if he could shield you that it would make everything okay.”

I drop my head and my hair shields me. Deep inside, I had hoped the same thing.

Graham takes my hand and makes me sit on his lap. The room is quiet that you could’ve heard a pin drop.

“Hey, at least we have some positive to this plan. That’s something, right?” I smile at them.

“Not if you still die,” Xaviera cries.

I look at each of them and they all hold the same expression. I’m suddenly aware of how tired everyone is. It’s been an exhausting evening.