I’msitting at the head table, watching my new family.Blakeis arguing with a very pregnantTiffanyabout whether he can feed her cake.Austinis cleaning his sunglasses, looking bored but watching the perimeter.Shaneis terrifying theDJinto playing something with more bass.
Eliassits beside me, his thigh pressed against mine.Hehasn't let go of my hand for two hours.Hissuit jacket is gone, revealing the crisp white shirt underneath and the leather cut he put on immediately after the ceremony.Treasureris stitched over his heart.MIAis tattooed over the actual organ, or at least it feels like it.
"Stats?" he asks, leaning close to my ear.
"Feethurt,"Iadmit. "Champagneis good.Husbandis hot."
Arare, devastating smile breaks across his face. "Husbandis ready to invoke the extraction protocol.I’mdone sharing you with the club.I’mdragging you back to theVault, locking that steel door, andI’mnot letting you out until you’re drenched and shaking from me stretching you wide."
"Wecan't leave yet.Wehaven't cut the cake."
"Cakeis inefficient," he grumbles. "Sugarcrash imminent."
"Christieis heading this way,"Iwarn him. "Smile."
Thebarista from theCozyCupbounces up to our table, holding a tray of espresso shots. "Emergencycaffeine!Ifigured you boys would need it if you're pulling a perimeter shift tonight."
"Thanks,Christie,"Isay, taking a cup. "How'sthe shop?"
"Oh, you know," she waves a hand. "Mikeis grumpy because the grinder is making a weird noise again.AndOldJackis spreading rumors that you two are already pregnant."
Eliaschokes on his coffee. "Ineed to have a word withJack."
"Lethim talk,"Isay, squeezingElias'shand. "Itgives them something to do besides worry about theCostas."
Atthe mention of the name, the air around the table chills.Logansteps up, a phone in his hand.Helooks grim.Thecelebration doesn't stop, but the core group of brothers tightens.
"Status?"Eliasasks, his voice shifting instantly.
"Radiosilence from the east,"Logansays quietly. "ButIjust got a ping from the remote server.TheoneDanielset up."
Mystomach drops. "Isit him?"
"It'sa heartbeat signal,"Logansays. "Someoneaccessed the archive.UsedDaniel'sold encryption key.ButtheIPaddress... it's bouncing.Russia.China.Thenhere."
"Here?"Eliasdemands.
"Insidethe town limits,"Logansays. "Danielis here.He’sghosted into our root directory, but he’s left a breadcrumb.Aphoto of a woman in a chair—bound, gagged, and marked withGunnarcode.He’snot just hiding; he’s hunting.Andthe next war for theBrokenHalosis already inside the gates."
Eliaslooks at me.Thejoy of the wedding remains, but his eyes track the perimeter, scanning the shadows. "We'relocking down theVaulttonight."
"Ithought that was the plan anyway,"Isay, trying to keep the mood light, though my pulse is racing.
"Itwas,"Eliassays. "ButnowI'msetting the alarm."
Hestands up, pulling me with him.Hetaps his glass with a knife—a sharp, authoritative crack that silences the room.
"Thankyou all for coming,"Eliasbarks. "Eatthe food.Drinkthe beer.Thebar is open until midnight.Mywife andIare leaving."
"Subtle,"Iwhisper.
"Efficient," he counters.
Hesweeps me up into his arms, bridal style.Thecrowd cheers, hooting and catcalling.Iwrap my arms around his neck, burying my face in the crook of his shoulder.Hesmells like everythingIlove.
"Takeme home,Treasurer,"Imurmur.
"Alreadythere," he says.
