It was black leather. Same cut as mine, but smaller. Elena was stitched over where the vest would rest on her heart. And on the back, surrounding the Hounds of Hellfire logo were the words, PROPERTY OF ONYX.
King lifted his chin. “Go claim your woman.”
I stared at it for a second longer, something deep and raw twisting in my chest. “She’s already mine.”
“Yeah,” he drawled, one corner of his mouth inching up. “But now she’ll be wearing proof when you drag her to bed.”
I huffed a breath that might’ve been a laugh and folded the vest under my arm.
King’s eyes met mine one last time. “Don’t fuck it up, Reeve.”
I turned and walked out, my mind already on her.
“In the kitchen,” someone said the second I entered the common room.
I headed straight there, needing desperately to see Elena.
I had something to tell her.
And something to give her.
19
ELENA
With everything that had happened, and Reeve wrapped up in “club business,” I resorted to stress baking when sketching didn’t ease my nerves any longer. Today, I was craving chocolate chip cookies, so one of the prospects had run out to get the missing ingredients I needed.
But I frowned as I stared at the butter. I couldn’t remember if my mom used salted or unsalted. I wasn’t sure how much of a difference it would make in the recipe, but I decided to call her anyway. Wiping my hands on a towel, I grabbed my phone and tapped her contact before I could overthink it.
She answered on the second ring, breathless. “Elena? Is everything okay?”
It had been a while since I’d called her outside of holidays. Longer than I intended. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just had the sudden urge for cookies, and I can’t remember if your chocolate chip recipe uses salted or unsalted butter.”
Her voice was warm as she explained, “Unsalted, sweetheart. The salt content varies by brand, so it allows you to control the exact amount you’re using.”
I opened the box, glad the prospect had grabbed the kind I needed. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad to hear your voice.”
Guilt tugged at me, but so did an unexpected warmth. “Me too.”
“We’ll talk soon? When you have time?”
Sensing him near, I turned as Reeve stepped inside the kitchen. He looked tired, but his expression softened when his gaze met mine.
Unable to stop the small smile forming from seeing him, I murmured, “Sorry, Mom. I need to go. But I’ll call you later, okay? And we’ll talk.”
“Good, I miss you.”
“Miss you too. Please tell Dad I love him. Bye.”
I hung up and set my cell on the counter just as Reeve reached me. I lifted a hand to his jaw, brushing my thumb over the rough scrape of stubble since he’d been too busy to shave this morning.
“You’re home.”
His fingers caught my wrist, pressing my palm against his cheek. “Wherever you are is home for me, Elena.”
The sincerity in his voice hit me so hard tears blurred my vision before I could blink them away.
