“Oh.” Serenity hovered near the back of the sofa. How was she supposed to deal with that? They’d been blown up?
Rory reached for the knitted blanket and gently laid it over Hana. Despite the cuts and bruises, she was beautiful, with long, shiny black hair, fragile features, and spitting brown eyes.
Rufus emerged from beneath the Christmas tree and leaped across the living room to land in Hana’s lap. The woman instantly started petting him, and he settled down, purring contentedly.
Rory brushed hair back from his face with a bruised hand. “I’m really sorry about this, but she insisted on leaving the hospital after the surgery late last night, and I couldn’t just leave her.”
“Of course not,” Serenity said, eyeing them both. They were actually a very striking couple, especially with the cuts and contusions. “Did you catch Lewis?”
“No.” Hana threw up her hands. “I have no idea who gave us the bad intel, but when I find out, heads will roll.”
Serenity studied her. The woman might look like a sprite, but she sounded like a warrior.
Rory lifted his head and sniffed the air. “Hey, I smell food.”
Uneasiness filtered through Serenity. Just exactly what kind of partners were they? “I have stew,” she said. “It’s fresh.”
“Excellent.” Rory instantly headed into the kitchen, leaving the two women in the living room.
Hana studied the cheerful Christmas tree. “I love your tree. The pink Santas are adorable.”
“Thanks,” Serenity said, clasping her hands together. “Can I get you anything besides dinner?”
“I’d love a glass of wine.”
“No,” Rory barked out from the kitchen. “You’re on pain pills.”
Hana pouted. “Not for a couple of hours.”
He returned with a bowl of stew and a glass of water. “Water,” he said, placing both on the table.
“Man, you’re bossy,” Hana grumbled.
Serenity nodded. “He’s always like that.”
Hana gingerly sat up and reached for the thick ceramic bowl. “I usually have a gun I can smack him with. What do you do?” She took a spoonful, and pink wandered beneath her high cheekbones. “Oh, this is good.”
“I break up with him,” Serenity said. “It was my only option.”
“It was not your only option,” Rory threw over his shoulder as he headed back into the kitchen.
Hana laughed. “Good on you, girl. I have to say, you’ve taken on a lot with that one.”
Yes, she had, but apparently, Serenity didn’t know him at all. “How long have you been partners?” She felt like a dork in her lime green yoga pants with a red tank top. She’d still been feeling the Christmas spirit before Rory and his incredibly beautiful partner arrived.
“About five years,” Hana said around a mouthful of stew. “This really is delicious.”
Another knock sounded on the door, and then it opened. Serenity took a step back.
“Hey there,” Knox said as Fabio rushed past him. “I saw Rory come in and thought maybe I smelled stew.” He craned his neck to see past the living room to the kitchen and then turned, spotting Hana. He cocked his head and took a step back. “Hi,” he said.
Amusement danced in her brown eyes as she stroked the large cat. “Hi, I’m Hana.”
“I’m Knox, Rory’s much smarter brother.” Knox grinned at Serenity. “Dinner?”
“Kitchen,” she said, shaking her head as she knelt to scrub her hands through Fabio’s thick fur.
Hana watched Knox go. “He’s cute,” she whispered.
