Peeking through her fingers, she caught a glimpse of him lighting a candle on the cake he’d made and felt her affection swell. He was adorable, caring, and had been her rock for the last two and a half years, more so even than Tommy, which was saying something.
She shut her eyes again just before he sat beside her, but not before she saw him place a small green velvet box tied with a bow next to the cake and felt her heart melt all over again.
“Okay, you can open your eyes now.” His voice was a low rumble next to her ear, and she ignored the shiver that ran down her spine as she dropped her hands.
The cake looked perfect, with chopped walnuts coating the sides and a smooth chocolate glaze on top. From the height, she guessed there were at least eight layers, each with chocolate buttercream in between.
“Thorn! Thank you!” She quickly leaned forward to blow out the candle before it could drip wax, then shifted up onto her knees, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug. “Can I open my gift first?” she asked eagerly.
He nodded, clearly pleased by her reaction, and watched as she opened the small velvet box.
“Thorn…” she whispered. She’d expected a ring or earrings, but not this - a delicate lily of the valley ring in white gold, the tiny leaves in green enamel and the blossoms made of soft pink pearls. Her breath caught as he took the box and gently slid the ring onto her middle finger.
“Perfect fit,” he said with a grin, kissing the back of her hand. “I was afraid it would be too big, and we would have to get it resized.”
“I love it!” Evie held her hand out, admiring the way it caught the light. “You’re amazing.” She hugged him again and kissed his cheek, wrinkling her nose when his beard tickled her skin. “Thank you so much!”
Thorn chuckled and cut her a slice of cake. “You deserve it, Little One.”
**********
Thorn
After they finished their cake, Evie curled up against his side, and they put on another movie. About halfway through, Thorn noticed she wasn’t laughing anymore. Looking down, he saw she was fast asleep against him.
“Jadna moja mala,” he murmured softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and brushing his thumb along her cheek. “My poor girl.”
The fallout from Oscar’s trial and sentencing had worn her down more than he realized. The dark circles under her eyes, the weight she’d lost, the way she always seemed a little sad when she thought no one was watching… all of it worried him. He wasn’t sure what else he could do except keep reminding her that he’d always be there if she needed him.
He shifted carefully, gathering her into his lap to carry her down to her room in Tommy’s penthouse. She sighed softly in her sleep and burrowed against his chest, and a wave of affection washed over him. His love for her had grown to the point that he would cheerfully tear apart anyone who brought her the smallest measure of pain.
Death and killing were a part of his life, a part he no longer believed he could ever fully escape. It was a job. Someone had to do it, and he accepted that. There was already so much blood on his hands; what was a little more? He hadn’t been lying when he told Evie that he didn’t know how many people he’d killed - not because he’d forgotten, but because he refused to count the faces that haunted his dreams. But as he looked down at Evie’s sleeping face, still faintly tense even in rest, he knew that killing the people who hurt her would never haunt him the way the others did.
He was gathering her to him, about to stand, when she opened her eyes and smiled up at him apologetically.
“Sorry, I fell asleep. Too muchViljamovka.”
“Do not worry, you clearly needed it. I am sorry I woke you.” Thorn relaxed back into the couch and smiled down at her. “Do you want to try to finish the movie?” If she was awake and comfortable, he wouldn’t make her leave.
“Can I stay like this?” Evie managed to curl even closer against his chest, and his heart clenched at how small and innocent she looked there.
Thorn nodded and reached for the blanket draped over the back of the couch. “Of course. I will make sure you get to bed when it is time.”
“You always do.”
Chapter Sixteen: Protective Detail
After a year with Sloane Consulting and Security Services, Cole was called into Tommy's office with Thorn and Nissa. He was expecting to hear that Tommy and Nissa had found another operative for the consulting side of things, since right now it was just him and Nissa, and occasionally Thorn, taking on jobs. The consulting division was still finding its footing, so it wasn't too busy yet - the longest he'd been away at any one time was two weeks, and there could be up to a month of research and prep time depending on the target.
After years of six- to nine-month deployments, going away for only a week or two every few months felt almost luxurious, and he was really enjoying how his job differed day to day. Sometimes he was researching, planning and executing an op, others he was helping train security guards or bodyguards, he'd even taken on a couple of protective detail jobs when Thorn needed someone highly trained and situationally aware for high-profile clients, which would result in a nice little bonus in addition to his paycheck.
Tommy had kept his word, giving them both signing and relocation bonuses. When the money had been deposited into their account, Cole had actually called Tommy and asked if he meant to give both him and Lana the relocation bonus.
“What do you mean?” The confusion was clear in Tommy's voice and Cole swallowed, figuring Tommy wouldtell him one of the payments was a mistake, but wanting to be honest.
“Both Lana and I got the relocation money, the same amount was deposited into our account twice.”
“Yeah, and?”
