I lift my knees to my chest and spin, planting my feet on the travertine and standing up to get him a towel. “I already spoke with Axel about this. I’ll stay in the penthouse, but I’m going to have my say with him. And then you’re going to handle it accordingly.”
Ryker looks briefly taken aback. I don’t blame him. That sounded bossier than I’d intended, but it will all make sense in a little while.
“You went over my head for permission.” His voice is husky as he swims to the end and climbs up the stairs, dripping all over the tiles before snatching the towel I’m holding for him.
“I don’t view it like that.” My mouth quirks into a lopsided grin because his jealousy is apparent in the slant of his brows. “But you’re too close. You can’t see the forest or the trees.”
He chuckles, and though a pang of guilt lashes me for this frivolous exchange, the buoyant sound floating into the freckled night is exactly what we need.
He wraps the towel around himself, tucking in the corner. “It’s,can’t see the forestforthe trees.”
“I hate that wording. It doesn’t make any sense,” I snap back.
He struts toward the door for us to go inside, looking as sexy as ever. “But not being able to see either does?”
“That’s exactly what I was going for.” I pop a blasé shoulder. “It’s like you’re flying blind.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Just no. They don’t mean the same thing.”
“Agree to disagree. Idioms are subjective.”
“And a brilliant decoy.” He winks.Onto me.
Still worried he’ll fight Axel on this when we get downstairs, I clutch his hand as he opens the sliding glass door. “This is important to me, so …”
He hooks my hair behind my ear. “Then it’s what we’ll do.”
That’s always been the way with us, and yet it’s changed so much. There was a time he relented so I could go my separate way, which only bred animosity between us. I suspect now, even though he objects to me having any part of this, he grasps that it’s so we can journey in the same direction.
“Thank you for always loving me the way I need to be loved, Ryker. You’re everything I ever dreamed of.”
The veneration in his eyes stills me. Those enthralling blues pierce my depths, chanting promises that felt like pipe dreams not long ago.
He clasps my chin, planting a gentle kiss on my lips. “Everything I am is yours, Viper. The honor of loving you and loving Remy and both of you loving me back is hope realized. So, thank you for biting me all those years ago.”
“Business first.” I smile against his mouth. “Then maybe I’ll bite you again.”
I’m sitting on the tufted leather sofa in the conference room, Cash on my right, Maddox on my left, and Jax draped across the back with his head hovering between mine and Maddox’s. It’s a bit ridiculous. Yet it somehow transforms this dismal undertaking into a bonding ritual.
All three were adamant about not leaving my side. Regardless of how much they would have liked to partake in the unsavory event, they chose to be here with me, which warms my heart.
My toes are evidently fully ensconced in the duplicitous soil from which the Noires thrive.
“It’s almost time, Merce. Whatever you need, we’re here for you.” Maddox nudges my thigh while scrutinizing me to be sure I’m okay.
He’s holding a tablet in front of us. We could have done this on any of their wall monitors, but I didn’t want to risk Remy waking up and catching a glimpse.
“I’m glad you’re all here, but I’m good,” I assure him, and Cash and Jax murmur some additional encouragement, which only reinforces the truth of my statement.
Axel and Ryker are in counting room two with Bryce, who is strapped to a chair. His mouth is taped, and both of his ankles and wrists are tied down, but he dons the same casual attire he wore when he callously blew up the woman he’d been engaged to and living with for years.
He’s sporting two black eyes, what appears to be a broken nose, and probably a host of other injuries bestowed by the Noire brothers as part of their welcome package. Yet he appears unfazed.
Ryker is planning to torture Bryce when I’m done. He didn’t admit that, but I’m aware of his intentions nevertheless.
And Axel is aware of mine.
“Mercy has something she’d like to share with you.” He dips his chin to me before turning his phone screen to Bryce.
