Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Bella Settarra Page A

talking to, she got to the bottom of it all. You can see for yourself what they said.”
    He finished eating and put his plate to one side, before tucking into some fruit.
    “I didn’t know Suzette was your sister. I saw Geva Daoud on the messages so I assumed she must be one of your relatives, but I didn’t know about Suzette.” Ligia cleared away the dishes.
    “Suzette’s the older one, she’s married to Nuri. They’ve got a little boy, Hyam, you’d like him.” Aitan put his arms around her waist as Ligia washed the pots.
    “Hyam. That’s a nice name.” Ligia smiled.
    “It means ‘life.’ Suits him too. He’s a real lively one. They named him that because he nearly died when he was born.” Aitan sounded a little subdued. He rubbed Ligia’s stomach, suddenly imagining her pregnant with his baby. He’d seen how protective she’d been with the young hostage earlier, and knew she’d make a great mom. He grinned.
    “Is he OK now?” she asked tentatively.
    “He’s more than OK. He’s three years old, and into everything. Hey, maybe we can get them to put him on Super-Skype one day so you can see for yourself? Suzette and Nuri don’t use the computer often, they’re the least technical people I know, but I’m sure they would for you.”
    Ligia smiled, a warm feeling filling her tummy. She liked the idea of being part of a family, especially one that liked her.
    “Come on, you need to see these messages,” Aitan said with a grin as he led her inside.
    Luckily, the screen lit up, as it was getting quite dark when they sat at their little table and fired up the laptop.
    Aitan skipped through the e-mails and went straight to the visual messages. Geva’s was the first message he brought up. She was a pretty girl, not much older than Ligia. Her hair was lighter that Aitan’s, a sort of very dark blond. Her eyes were big, like his, but bluer. She wore a worried frown.
    “Aitan, Ligia, I heard what happened with Mom. I’m so sorry, I know she didn’t mean it really. We’re all real thrilled that you’re getting married and can’t wait for Ligia to be a part of our family. Suzette’s over at Mom’s now, talking some sense into her, but you just be sure that no matter what, I’m definitely coming over your way for this here wedding and I can’t wait. Ligia, darlin’, if you’re half as lovely as Aitan has described you, I’ll be more than happy to call you my sister. Now don’t you guys worry about a thing, d’ya hear?” She winked as she turned off her computer. Her dazzling smile and Southern drawl matched Aitan’s perfectly.
    “That’s so lovely.” Ligia had tears in her eyes. She’d been so sure when she had seen her name come up on the messages that she would be backing up their mom and telling Aitan not to marry her.
    “Sounds like Suzette got a real bee in her bonnet over it, too.” Aitan grinned as he pressed a few keys.
    “A what in her what?” Ligia loved his foreign expressions.
    He laughed, squeezing her hand. “I’ll have to show you one day. Maybe we could go to Westland and visit the family sometime?”
    “And see Amaranda and Eban? I’d love to see the new baby!” Ligia’s eyes lit up at the thought, and Aitan leaned over to give her a big kiss on her luscious mouth.
    “Sure, why not?” He grinned as they turned back to the computer.
    Suzette had left one of her rare visual messages, and Ligia gasped as her face came up on the screen. She looked just like a female version of Aitan. She had the same sandy-coloured hair, though hers was much longer and fastened back on the top of her head. Her eyes were a slightly paler shade of gray, and her mouth and nose were the same perfect shape as his.
    “Suzette’s the eldest of all of us,” Aitan explained, turning the volume up on the machine.
    “Ligia, Aitan, I am so sorry for our mom,” Suzette began in the same lazy drawl as her brother. “I’ve given her a good talking to and, believe me she is so sorry for