“I’ve got a question.”
Kiki blinked, lifting her head from Nikos’s shoulder. “What is it?”
Markos studied her carefully. “How did you deactivate both detonators?”
Before she could answer, a flash of light sparked across from them. RITA materialized in a swirl of beads, fringe, and tie-dye, decked out in a head-turning 1960s Woodstock outfit complete with peace sign earrings and round sunglasses.
“God help me, I’m in love,” Lucas muttered.
Cole stood as if hypnotized… then promptly dropped back down when a towering, leather-clad figure materialized beside her. Broad-shouldered, all-black leather, shoulder-length dark hair, and a glower that could melt titanium.
“Everyone, meet FRED,” RITA chirped. “My darling hubby.”
FRED crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the group, who collectively looked like they were reconsidering all their life choices.
“Fascinating,” Angel murmured. “Did not have ‘muscular AI enforcer husband’ on my apocalypse bingo card.”
RITA turned to Kiki, her expression softening. “Are you okay, dear?”
Kiki nodded. “Yeah. I knew you’d come through. Thank you.”
RITA sighed. “Of course I did. But next time, give a girl a little more warning before you play chicken with a madman.”
She turned to Markos. “As for your question, the detonators were circuit-based. As a hologram, I can temporarily disrupt electronic frequencies when I shift through matter. I melted the internal boards and did the same with the explosive vest. Nothing flashy. Just… a little sizzle.”
FRED placed a protective arm around her. “Introductions made. You’ve done your check on Kiki. Can we go now? You promised me that we could check out the human’s nightclub to see if it was any good,” he grumbled, nodding toward Markos.
Angel leaned forward. “Before you go, what happened to the guy named Harlem?”
RITA smiled slyly. “Harlem is Harlem. It’s best to let him be. Now that I know everyone is settled, I’m happy.”
“I told you they were fine. Who cares about the men, anyway? You already knew Kiki was safe,” FRED growled under his breath.
“Hush, love. There’s no reason to be jealous. You know I only have ones and zeros for you!” RITA admonished teasingly as they disappeared.
Kiki giggled, her laughter mingling with the others’. Nikos rose, stretching before he turned and pulled her gently up with him.
“Want to go for a walk?” he asked quietly.
She nodded, intertwining her fingers with his as they walked away. She giggled when Markos released a loud groan behind them as it finally dawned on him that RITA and FRED were talking about visitingThe Rocks.Laughter and teasing erupted at Markos’s slow response.
“It’s good to have the group back together again,” Nikos murmured with a sigh.
They walked in silence down to the water’s edge. The dock stretched out under a sky brushed with stars, clouds, and moonlight. The lake shimmered like liquid glass, calm andeternal.
Kiki breathed in a deep breath, her eyes searching the darkness across the lake where she had sensed Eric earlier. There was nothing but silence now.
When they reached the end, Nikos stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. His breath stirred her hair as they stood in the glow of the full moon.
Kiki leaned back into him, soaking in his warmth. For the first time in her life, the future didn’t feel like a looming shadow. It felt… possible.
“What’s going to happen next?” she asked quietly. “What about Brie? Eric? The rest of the Founders? Benoit’s dead, but he wasn’t the only one.”
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned her to face him. His hands cupped her cheeks. She tilted her head into his palms when he began rubbing his thumbs along her jaw with a tenderness that stole her breath.
“Cosmos and KSS will work together and shut them down. I will never let them near you again, and if I know my brother the way I do, he won’t let them harm Brie. As for what’s going to happen between us… I’m going to love you,” he said, bending his head closer. “I’m going to hold you, marry you, and never, ever let you go. In that order. I want it all, Kiki. I want paintball wars, late-night dancing under the stars, hot chocolate and chocolate muffin mornings, and waking up tangled in sheets. All of it. All of you. Just the way you are.”
She swallowed hard, emotion choking her throat. “Are you sure?”
