I started nodding, and all three of our men cut me off.
“Hell, no.”
“Absolutely fucking not.”
“I don’t do houseguests, angel.”
I gravitated to him, wrapping my arms around his waist as he looked down at me. “Your kitchen says otherwise.”
Recognition flashed under his wall of ice and a soft, and a slow smile formed. “That's one of my happiest memories,” he whispered, low enough that only I could hear. Heat crawled up into my cheeks as my brain decided to focus on what happened the next morning.
My demon must’ve read my mind, because his smiled formed into a cocky grin, one I hadn’t seen since college. My baseballman was showing himself more and more, which only caused my love for him to grow.
“Speaking of kitchen, I’m hungry.”
All of us turned to look at Aiden, perched on Dean’s shoulders. His father looked up at him, shaking his head. “Boy, we just fed you.”
“Daddy, that food is in the past,” he said with all seriousness.
That wasn’t the only thing in the past. The darkness, the pain, the torment…it was all in the past. It went up in flames and here we were, standing together, forgiving and healing as we were reborn from the ashes, coming out stronger than ever before.
There was only one problem.
My brother and Casey were nowhere to be found.
Chapter Forty-One
Collin
One month later
“Welcome back, boss.”
I looked at my men, taking my time meeting each pair of eyes. Their orders were to remain on the island and guard the house. The rest of my men were to remain in their assigned cities, checking in every twenty-four hours.
For the last two days, I'd remained in St. Louis with Karina while we tied up loose end so our life could officially start. Her uncle welcomed me into the family, and after I signed the FBI agreement, Karina’s little group ushered me back to Sullie’s bar. We all shared a meal, and though things were still somewhat strained, it was…nice, despite Karina’s brother avoiding us. She assured me he would come around, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up.
If someone stabbed me, they would be dead.
“Your loyalty to me will not go without reward,” I said to my men, my voice firm. They nodded.
“Glad to see you’re alright,” Xander said. His face was still swollen and bruised from my fists, and I held his stare for a moment.
“You too, Xander.”
Was I sorry I beat the shit out of him? No.
Did I have to apologize? Also, no, but I did have to be nice. Karina wasn’t too fond of my actions towards him.
I looked at all of them once more, since they just witnessed me being nice. “I’ll gut you if you get mushy with me. I don’t do that shit.”
“Just with me, right?” My angel asked sweetly as she came up beside me.
We had just arrived on my island, and she wanted to speak to the captain of the boat. Alone. Probably to apologize for me threatening his life. She already apologized to Xander. Sheoffered him a sample of her kindness, like the heavenly angel she was.
However, if anyone mistook her kindness for weakness, they would have my wrath to deal with.
“Ms. Jones, it’s good to see you again,” Cam said.
