Levi chuckles. “Of course, I know my bestie’s bestie’s name.”
“Bestie, huh?” Nova arches a brow, her lips curving into an amused smirk. “What, you’re not mad at me anymore?”
I glance at Nova. I know my girl. That outburst from Levi after she got caught has been weighing on her. She’d never admit it outright, never let it show, but it’s been there. It was clear as day, at least to me.
“No.” Levi’s grin falters for half a second before he steps closer. “I was a damn dick for how I reacted. I’m sorry.”
I choke on air. “You’resorry?”
Levi Lane apologizing?That’s gotta be a first.
Levi’s gaze flicks to Ezra, and his grin returns, though this time it’s softer, more genuine. “Yeah. I’m pretty blissed out right now, so everything’s nice and shiny.”
Nova lets out a huff of laughter, but my focus shifts to Ezra. He’s sitting there, watching me with what I can only describe as a smile. Not his usual expression of annoyance or judgment, but an actual small, genuine smile.
What the actual fuck?
I blink at him, and he gives the barest shrug as if this is totally normal like it’s not throwing me for a goddamn loop that he’s treating me with everything other than dislike for once.
Koen stands next and walks up to us. “Hey, Annabelle. How are you?”
Annabelle’s jaw drops, and she turns to Nova with wide eyes, pointing at Koen like she needs confirmation. Nova huffs again, clearly amused. “Yeah,Koen Lane knows your fucking nametoo. Get over it.”
Koen chuckles, leaning down to press a quick kiss to Nova’s temple. “That’s what happens when you’re with celebrities,” he teases.
Annabelle stares at him, then at me, Sylus, and finally, Nicholas, who’s watching the whole interaction from where he’s sitting in the armchair. “Okay, seriously.” Her voice is tinged with disbelief as she looks back at Nova. “Girl, you’re hot as fuck, but they areridiculouslyhandsome. Like, how did you bag all four of them?”
“She didn’t bag us.” Sylus snickers. “We bagged her.”
Koen adds with a smirk, “It was a group effort.”
Nova rolls her eyes, but her lips twitch like she’s fighting back a smile. “Why are you guys all here, anyway?” She looks pointedly at Nicholas, and yes, I’d also love to know why he’s here. I don’t know him, but Koen said Nova has a crush on him, so he has to be somewhat decent. I trust her judgment.
Nicholas leans casually against the back of the armchair, his face neutral with a flicker of humor in his eyes. The fact that he didn’t protest that he wasn’t in her bagyettells me all I need to know. “Same reason you are. Strategy talk.”
Ezra nods, finally speaking, “We’ve got a lot to go over. But first…” His gaze flicks to the pile of takeout containers. “Food. Then we plan.”
Nova’s hand tightens around mine again, and I glance down at her, her expression soft but tired. She looks at me like I’m her anchor, and fuck if I don’t feel the same about her.
We all settle down, the scent of Chinese takeout getting even stronger as the containers are passed around. Nova sits beside me, and her shoulder brushes mine occasionally. Probably not intentionally, but I don’t mind it at all.
This will work out.
The room quiets as we start eating, but it doesn’t last long.
“So,” Koen begins, setting his empty container on the table. “I saw Veronica today.”
All eyes snap to him. My hand stills mid-bite as the words sink in. He pauses for a moment, his gaze flicking to Nicholas before continuing. “She’s… playing nice. But it’s obviously calculated. She’s trying to pull us into this wholewe’re-familyact.”
Nicholas exhales sharply. “It’s not only about being friendly. She plans to lull you into a sense of trust and eventually get you to hand over financial control. And when she has it…”
“She plans to hurt the twins?” Nova speaks up.
Nicholas looks directly at her. “She didn’t say it outright, but yes. That’s her endgame. Build a connection, gain access, and when she’s in complete control…accidents happen.”
“Of course.” Levi huffs out a bitter laugh. “Fucking bitch.” His knuckles are white as they grip the edge of his plate. “If wedon’t pull this off, Veronica won’t just get away. She’ll come after all of us. We’re not walking away from this without finishing it.”
Annabelle leans closer to Nova. “So this shit is serious, huh?”
