Chapter 106

• "Nelson, I'd like you to meet Aadita—Aadita, this is Nelson," Xavier introduced us, and I noticed the astonishment etched on Nelson's face as he processed my name.
• "This is Aadita?" he queried, his surprise unmistakable. "I must admit, you are not at all what I imagined, and I didn't expect you to come with—why didn't you tell me?" He aimed his question at Steve, a hint of confusion in his voice.
• "What does it matter, Nelson?" Steve replied from the driver's seat, twisting around to face us in the back. "The information we need from you and Taryn doesn't change anything about whether Aadita is here or not."