I nudged him aside as I exited the room. “That’s a visual I didn’t need.”
“On that note, dinner’s ready,” he announced, following behind me.
Up ahead, Hunter went flying toward the dining room. All I saw were his little flailing arms and wild black hair.
I slowed down to let Shepherd catch up. “Is he still sleeping in his room?”
“As far as I know, he isn’t sneaking out.”
“That’s good. Have you taken him shopping?”
“Nah. I think he’s afraid of leaving Keystone too many times. Like maybe one day I won’t bring him back. I’m not gonna push it.” Shepherd heaved a sigh. “I don’t know if he’ll ever recover from Patrick’s brainwashing.”
Despite having grown up in a wealthy home, Hunter had been denied love and given too many restrictions. Someone must have shown him physical affection as a baby, perhaps a nanny who cared for him in the early years. Viktor said that children completely deprived of interaction and touch often became emotionally unstable. Hunter was smart and occasionally affectionate, but he was also quiet. The poor kid had grown up without a name—without an identity. Living with Keystone was a whole new world for him, and everyone did their best to give him attention when he was around.
We strolled down the dark hall that led to the dining room. The last remaining hours of sunlight were trickling in through the window behind Viktor’s chair. As always, Kira had lit the candles on the iron chandelier and sconces on the wall. The candles on the table brought out the golden hues in the aged wood.
Viktor had already filled everyone’s glasses with red wine, with the exception of Gem’s. It looked like she and Hunter were sipping on apple juice. I passed Niko, then Blue, and finally Christian as I took my seat to Viktor’s left. I shook out my napkin and set it in my lap, curious to see what was on tonight’s menu.
“May I?” Gem asked, eyeballing the large silver bowl in front of her.
Viktor gulped his wine and nodded.
Her eyes widened as she lifted the silver dome. Steam clouded in front of her face for a moment before her excitement deflated. “That’s a lot of white rice.”
Wyatt tapped the dome between us with his fork. “How much you wanna bet we got more in here?”
I lifted the lid, revealing what looked like a quinoa salad. “How much did we bet again?”
He took off his loose beanie and hooked it over the ear of his chair. “Doesn’t count.”
Kira appeared from the kitchen with a long platter in her hands. She always had on a plain dress, and tonight was no different. Her sleeves were rolled up, and the blue apron tied around her waist had stains. Gem and Shepherd parted like the Red Sea as she set the platter in front of them.
Gem drew in a deep breath. “That smells divine!”
We devoured the dish with our eyes because there was a lot of artistry in her presentation. Lemon slices were neatly arranged across herbed chicken. We weren’t exactly sure how Kira did it, but she tenderized her chicken and infused the flavors in the meat so skillfully that it was fit for royalty.
“Dibs on the drumsticks,” Wyatt called out as Shepherd reached for a thigh and a breast.
Kira returned with two baskets of yeast rolls, and Viktor gave her an appreciative nod before she left the room. She never interrupted us during dinner. After an hour, she would serve dessert or a cheese platter. Kira ate her own meals separate from the team, which felt a little sad but necessary since we discussed sensitive cases at the table.
While we passed the plates around, Viktor refilled his glass. The only time he drank wine that generously was when something was troubling him.
“Are there any small bowls?” Niko asked.
Gem blinked and shot to her feet. “Oh, I’ll get one.”
Niko rarely asked for special accommodations because of his blindness. He told us that in the early days, before there were forks or spoons, he would use either chopsticks or his hands. Niko had no trouble with silverware and eating most foods, but spoons were easier, and a bowl allowed him to eat rice faster.
Gem returned and set the bowl in front of his plate. “It’s in front of you.”
“Thank you.”
Blue split her roll and buttered the inside. “Are you going to share what’s on your mind, Viktor?”
He cut into his chicken. “I have accepted an important group assignment. If any of you are still working on individual jobs, please bring them to a stopping point tonight. With the exception of Gem—continue the translations I’ve given you. Wyatt, I will need to pull you aside for assistance.”
Wyatt gave him a two-finger salute. “Aye, aye, captain.”
