While I don’t doubt what is going on, I’m being a little needy for reassurance. And I have no issue with that.
“Come on, Koz, lead the way downstairs,” Puck urges, but he waits at the top of the glass and timber stairs. Already I can see changes over the glass balustrade.
Everything before was white, almost clinical. Now Koz has completely overhauled the feel and mood. But that falls by the wayside by the time I’m at the bottom of the stairs. I push out of Puck’s arms and walk straight over to the most incredible painting I have ever seen.
Even without asking, I know Hayes did this. It’s a kaleidoscope of muted lilac and corn blue. It’s slightly chaotic in how abstract it is, but it’s absolutely stunning.
“I will not cry. Tomorrow I will. Hayes, what the hell?”
Talon though is the one who wraps me in an epic snuggle from behind, his arms crossed over my stomach, his chin on my shoulder. “He’s too modest, it’s amazing, isn’t it? He painted this as his first art project. Of course, he got a commendation from his professor.”
Talon drops a kiss on my cheek before steering me further into the space, and he uses his hands on my hips to walk me towards the bank of floor to ceiling windows where there is a huge modular sofa shaped like a horseshoe. And then he steps away as I spin, taking in everything.
Without walking on the carpet, I already know it’s going to squish luxuriously through my toes. The velvet armchairs look marshmallow soft and are finished with matching cable knit throws and fluffy white cushions.
Seeing everything, I’m struck by a sense of comfort. The whole space has been done with my needs in mind.
As amazing as it is, it’s enough.
“I think I need food, then to go back to bed. The small taste I got is incredible, but right now, it’s enough,” I offer, turning away from the rooms I want to explore later.
There’s a growing smirk on Koz’s face, his eyes dancing in victory. And Puck groans in defeat.
“What?”
“He said you’d do exactly what you did!”
“How much did you lose?”
“Not how much, micina, ask your Puck what he lost.” Koz keeps laughing as he makes a grab for my hand to lead me up the stairs. Once we get to the bottom step, his hand drops to my lower back.
“You going to catch me if I fall, Alpha?”
“You fucking know it. Now get your fanny up on the stool at the kitchen island bench, and I’ll make your favourite. Take something for your knee too, to stop it swelling.”
Which is pretty much what happens.
We have the most amazing and stress-free afternoon I’ve had in a long while. My cheeks hurt with how hard I laugh at Puck’s recount of a couple of times he busted Talon, Hayes, and me. Times we had no clue about. And then I nearly pee myself when he finally admits that because he lost the bet, he has to call Koz, Master, for the next month.
And there’s enough updates on Twinkles and Joker to make me feel better but also worry. Joker has to contend with an infection on top of recovering from surgery. The girls have been in constant communication with each of my alphas, which I like, and there’s even a lead on the woman and the baby—not enough to get excited about, but it’s solid enough to give us hope we might eventually get answers.
A wave of grief hits when Koz lets me know that Rhodes is going to be remembered at a private service. To which we were not invited. Not out of disrespect, but out of it really being a private service with only Giuseppe attending. Apparently, Rhodes had no family and was married to his job, but I don’t believe that for a second. Everyone has someone to love them.
“I want to go. The man died because of me, so I will be there even if it’s just me and Giuseppe. And then I want to do something to remember him.”
Koz stares at me, not out of irritation but admiration. “I will get Lew to arrange the details, micina. Rhodes was a mad boxer, so perhaps we could set up something with the gym he attended.”
“I’d like that.”
And despite the mood dropping being together and eating homemade burgers with oven baked chips is still pretty epic. The second I push my empty plate away and start eating from Koz’s plate my mobile starts ringing.
Puck gets up and goes to grab it. I kind of hadn’t thought about it for a while, but he knows exactly where it is. Another reminder of the days I lost in a drug induced slumber and all out pack orgy.
“Hey, King, let me get her for you.” Puck’s voice drifts in from behind me. “Yeah, yeah, she’s better than good.”
I twist around and watch. There’s a small pause as dad talks, and instead of answering, Puck rolls his eyes and passes my phone over.
“Dad, wait up,” I manage before the tears that have been threatening since I climbed out of bed are back in earnest.
