"I’mcounting on it," he says.
Christiewalks by with the coffee pot. "Morecaffeine, or shouldIjust leave the pot?"
"Leaveit,"Eliassays. "Wehave a long day."
"Youtwo heading up to theLodgelater?" she asks casually. "HeardLucasis hosting some bigwig investors.Mightbe good to show face."
"Maybe,"Eliassays, noncommittal.Hecatches the look he exchanges withChristie.TheLodgeis neutral ground.LucasSterlingis watching.
"Thanks,Christie," he says.
Shewinks and moves on to refillOldJack’smug.
"Whatwas that about?"Iask.
"LucasSterling,"Eliasexplains. "Heowns theGrandPineLodge.Hestays out of club business, usually.Butif he’s hosting investors, the town is crowded.Moreeyes.Saferfor you."
"Ormore places for enemies to hide."
"That’swhy you’re staying on my lap."
Irest my head on his shoulder. "Ican live with that."
Wefinish breakfast in relative peace, though the town continues to orbit around us.Frankstops by to slapEliason the shoulder and nod at me.
"Goodto see you settled, son,"Franksays. "Needany new deadbolts for the place, you let me know."
"Thanks,Frank,"Eliassays.
"Andyou, missy,"Frankpoints at me with a calloused finger. "Youkeep him straight.Hespends too much time staring at numbers.Needsto stare at something prettier."
“I’mtrying,Frank,”Isay.
Eliasmutters something that sounds like “harassment,” but he doesn’t snap atFrank.There’sa hint of affection in his tone.
Aswe settle the bill,Eliastosses a stack of cash on the table—enough to cover breakfast for a whole week.Theplayful mood fades.
Realityreturns.
"Ready?" he asks.
"Ready,"Isay.
Hehelps me slide off his lap, though he keeps his hand on my back.Wewalk out of theCozyCuptogether, into the cold mountain air.Silenceon the car ride back to the compound doesn't feel heavy anymore.Itfeels like the calm before the storm.Wehave the proof.Wehave the books.Wehave each other.
Aswe pass the town limits,Elias’shand drifts to his pocket.He’scounting again.Tappinghis fingers against the steering wheel in a rhythmI’mstarting to recognize.
One, two, three, four.
"Whatare you counting?"Iask.
Heglances at me. "Thehours untilIcan get you back in theVault."
"Towork?"Itease.
Hiseyes darken, the gray turning to slate as they drop to my mouth. "No,Mia.Theaudit is done.Thenext timeIlock that door...I’mgoing to spend every second stretching you wide and filling you with my seed until you can’t remember your own name."
Staticsparks along my spine, having nothing to do with the cold.
