Betty pretends to whisper conspiratorially. “You know, your Pops loves superhero stories too. Maybe you can tell him about your favorites next time we visit.”
Sophia smiles warmly, glancing at her dad. “He’d love that, wouldn’t you, Dad?”
“Absolutely.” John’s grin widens. “You save those superhero stories for me, okay, bud?”
“Okay, Pops! I will!” Pete promises, his excitement palpable.
As Betty and John start asking more questions about Pete’s school and talking about their holiday plans, I lean back for a moment, letting their voices wash over me. It’s a strange, comforting ache, the kind that comes from realizing you’ve stumbled into something you never knew you needed. Family. Real, messy, unconditional family. Sophia’s parents radiate the kind of love that makes you want to stick around and the way they light up when they talk to Pete... It’s like a sacred thing—something I don’t want to lose.
“We miss you,” Betty says softly as the conversation winds down. “Cassidy wishes she could be there, but you know...”
“She’s too pregnant to move,” Sophia finishes with a laugh. “I know, Mom. We’ll all visit as soon as we can.”
The call ends a few moments later, leaving a lingering warmth in its wake. I glance at Sophia, her eyes still glowing from the connection with her family. My chest warms at the sight and the realization that I’m part of the same group of people who mean the world to her. And I couldn’t be more proud of that.
The doorbell chimes, and James, the butler, steps into the room, his expression neutral as ever. "Ms. Dee Spencer and her gentlemen have arrived," he announces, his voice perfectly measured.
Sophia stifles a laugh, glancing at me. "That sounds a lot fancier than the reality," she quips under her breath. Before James can step aside, Dee barrels into the room, the heels of her military boots clicking against the hardwood floor. Her dramatic entrance outshines even his composed announcement.
Dee winks at me, as she always does, before engulfing Sophia in a dramatic hug. Her boyfriends—Kyle, Lenny, Roger, and Ryan—follow, shaking my hand and sharing their usual good-natured jabs.
Their driver comes in carrying wrapped presents. “Evening, everyone,” he greets as he piles up the gifts near the fireplace.
We murmur our responses and wave.
“Thank you,” Ryan murmurs. “Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.”
The man nods to all of us before taking his leave.
“We come bearing gifts!” Dee announces, pointing dramatically at the wrapped boxes.
Her men roll their eyes, but the grins they exchange betray their amusement.
“Perfect timing,” Sophia says. “I was just telling Pete you’d all show up like Santa’s very noisy helpers.”
Pete bounds over to Ryan, who’s holding a shiny box. “Is that for me?” he asks, his excitement palpable.
“Maybe,” Ryan replies with a wink. “Were you good this year?”
Pete gasps. “I’ve been the best!” he declares, glancing at me for confirmation.
“Of course! You’ve always been the best, son.” I nod, ruffling his hair.
I step back and let them take over the room. Dee and her entourage always bring a certain chaotic energy, but I can’t deny how much Sophia loves them. Her world is brighter because of them, and so is mine. Dee’s loud, flamboyant charm complements Sophia’s quieter warmth, and the way the five dote on Pete melts my heart away.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I glance at the screen.Shelby Boyle. I know what this means.
I press the green button and murmur into the screen, “Hold on a sec.”
I show the phone to Sophia.
She brushes a kiss against my cheek. “Go. I’ve got this,” she says, shooing me away.
I retreat to my study, closing the heavy oak door behind me. The room is quiet, the only light coming from the glow of the desk lamp. The ornate shelves are lined with books I haven’t had time to read. The Syndicate never sleeps, even during the holidays.
“Shelby,” I answer, settling into the leather chair.
“Ray,” he begins, his tone brisk. “We’ve got solid intel on Dracul. He’s on the West Coast. Los Angeles.
