Ansel stays tucked under my arm as we walk to the dining room. His muscles tense the closer we get, making me haul him to a stop.
“What?” He blinks up at me, confused. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes.” I cup his face in my hands. “You’re nervous. I don’t like it.”
He gives a small laugh. “Can you blame me? My first meeting with your family didn’t exactly go well.”
His terrified eyes flash before me, and I snarl. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve punched Samson and Dalton once already, but maybe I need to go hit them again.”
I step away to do just that, but Ansel stops me with a tug on my arm. “Wait, what are you talking about?”
I wince, remembering my decision not to expose Ansel to…all my violent urges. Not right away. “Um, I might’ve pounded on them a little? Not much. They were pretty sorry about it, so…”
My voice trails off as Ansel pinches the bridge of his nose. “Cade, that’s not what I meant. When I said it didn’t go well, I wasn’t referring to them hitting me, or even holding a gun to my head. I meant the fact that I’d kidnapped you and held you hostage. They’re never going to like me after that, especially if you’ve been going around punching them.”
I can’t help it; I grin. “Butterfly, that’s not what you need to be worrying about.”
Ansel’s expression falters. “It’s not?”
“Nope,” I say cheerily, tucking him back under my arm and marching him down the hall. “You kidnapping me is all in the past. Besides, technically, I’ve kidnapped you, so that makes us even.”
“What about the punching? I don’t want to be causing issues for you guys.”
I press a kiss to his hair, holding back my laughter. “Listen, if a week passes and no one has punched someone, then it’s because we haven’t seen each other.”
“Does that happen often? Not seeing each other, I mean.”
“Not really. We’re close. Have to be given what we do.”
“You mean…with The Firm?”
His tone is leading. I know he’s curious about what The Firm actually does in the shadows, and I don’t blame him. Up until yesterday, he thought we were just a myth. Him and half of St. Dismas.
It’s how we like it. It’s harder for others to track you down for their own bullshit reasons if they aren’t even certain you exist.
“Yeah.” That’s all I say. I don’t want to go into everything, not yet. Not until I’m sure it’s not going to send him running. “Anyway, what youshouldbe worrying about is them making a good impression. They’re the ones on display tonight. Not you.”
He hums. He doesn’t believe me, but that’s okay. He’ll get it in the end. My brothers might not be sure about Ansel, but I am.
That’s what matters.
Before we head to dinner, I make sure to lead Ansel to the office Dr. Ramsey uses. He messaged me during the film and told me to bring my butterfly in for another checkup. So we stop by, and Ansel gets a clean bill of health. With lots of rest, of course.
When we’re done, we move toward the dining room where most of my brothers have gathered. Harley isn’t present yet. Not that I was expecting to see him. He’ll be in the kitchen with Jules. Flirting incessantly with the cook.
Harley has a crush. A big one. We all know it. The only one whoseems oblivious is Jules himself. Or perhaps Jules isn’t interested. Either way, Harley is fucking smitten.
“We thought you weren’t going to make it,” Matthias tells me, his arm around Wyatt, who is leaning against him, sipping on some wine. The wedding ring on his finger catches the light, reminding me of their unusual beginnings.
Not as unusual as Ansel and me, though. See? We’re winning all around. It’s meant to be.
“Well, I heard Jules was cooking, so I knew we couldn’t miss it,” I reply. “Ansel has yet to try his creations.”
“I’m very excited,” Ansel says, and then shifts on his feet. “I’ve heard such good things.”
“You won’t be disappointed. Jules is amazing,” Wyatt says, then offers my boyfriend a reassuring grin. “You’re in for a treat, Ansel.”
I feel Ansel relax against me, and I make a note to buy Wyatt a gift in thanks. Something that won’t have Matthias pulling his gun on me. Again.
