He stifled a laugh. “No you don’t, buttercup. Remember what happened on their last getaway? They had to jump out of an airplane into the freezing ocean. After the plane exploded, they hiked in wet clothes through the snow. Raven almost got her eyes scratched out by those Shifters who cornered her in the woods. And poor Blue was busy fighting off some horny mountain hermit.” He sighed wistfully. “I wish I had been there to see it all. Maybe I should make them wear body cams.”
“I thought you said you didn’t want to go on those trips.”
“I don’t wanna live it—I just wanna see it.”
What Gem really yearned for was a vacation, without all the crazy assassins. She just didn’t want to go alone, and the group never took holidays together. There was always work on someone’s plate, and Viktor didn’t like them all gone at once.
Wyatt kept his loose grey beanie on instead of taking it off as he often did at the table. His hair didn’t play by the rules, but it was adorable in a boyish kind of way. Maybe that was why he always covered it up. Men were silly when it came to their perception of masculinity and attractiveness.
He glanced at the entryway when footfalls quickly approached. “Hey, little monkey. You ready for some chow?”
Hunter pulled out his chair at the end of the table and sat down.
“It’s just us, kiddo,” Wyatt said. “So you’re gonna have to do all the talking.”
Gem gave him a reproachful look. “That’s not nice.”
“The kid needs to talk eventually.”
“Does he? There are other ways to communicate in this world. Sometimes your mouth is the least effective.”
Switch swaggered into the room and took a seat in one of the booths along the wall. Gem had been so preoccupied with work that she hadn’t taken the chance to get to know him. He was about the same height as Niko and Christian, but to her, anyone taller than five-ten made her feel like a garden gnome.
“Why don’t you sit with us?” she asked, inviting him over with a wave of her arm.
“I’m not even supposed to be in here. Viktor wants me eating at different hours because of the confidentiality.”
“Viktor’s not here. He just doesn’t want you overhearing any work stuff, but I amsodone talking about work today. Don’t make me yell over my shoulder!” she said loudly.
Switch rose to his feet and walked over. He didn’t just walk, he had a swing in his shoulders and a heavy gait, like a man with an extra dose of confidence. He pulled out a chair on Hunter’s left and took a seat.
Gem hopped over to Christian’s chair to move a little closer. “We should roast marshmallows in the fireplace later. Have you ever done that?”
He tucked a chunk of long hair behind his ear. “Kids do that.”
She put her foot on the chair, her knee bent. “I didn’t know sugar was just for kids. I’ll make sure to inform Kira of your special dietary restrictions.”
His lips twitched.
“Your wolf is an asshole,” Wyatt blurted out.
Switch turned his head and glared.
Wyatt flinched and looked down at the tattoos on his hands.
“How long have you known Raven?” Gem asked, genuinely fascinated that Raven had grown up around Shifters without ever realizing it.
“Since we were kids. We didn’t really hang out because of the age gap, but her dad and mine were friends, so we saw each other at all the get-togethers.”
Wyatt propped his elbows on the table. “And you two never…?” He used his fingers to simulate sex.
Gem rolled her eyes at the vulgarity.
“No,” Switch said firmly. “She was achild.”
“Only by a few years,” Wyatt countered.
“Maybe that’s how they do it in your neck of the woods, but not mine.”
