“Don’t people call that ‘brunch’ then?”
“Brunch with my former kidnapper.” She laughed. “Want to go to K-Shop?”
“Hmm, are you going to invite that friend—Landon?”
“Not if this is supposed to be a date.”
“Well,” he said, pulling back a little to get a look at her, “you are the princess.”
She scoffed and lightly shoved him away. “Save the princess talk for Stahma.”
“Where’d you come up with that name?” He peered down at the cat that had settled at their feet, large eyes fixed on them.
Willow sighed. “I’ll just have to make you watch the show.”
“Ez has to watch it too,” he said with a grin.
“Perfect. You two can keep me warm.”
“Deal.” He planted a kiss on her forehead. This new relationship style was weird, but maybe he could get used to it.
***
Willow slurped her noodles and bit into a piece of tteok-bokki. Ryker picked the same type of ramen she had and loaded it up with cheese and sausages. Ditching a body and a threesome all in one night had definitely sparked his appetite.
His mouth was on fire, so he took a long drink from the energy thing he’d picked. The picture on the pouch had a lemon on it, so he figured it would be good.
“So, what happens with your dad now?” she asked, catching him off guard.
“With Xan out of the picture,” he said, fiddling with his cup, “I figure he’s in the clear.”
“Does he owe anyone legitimate? Like a bank?”
“Only the house and credit cards. Normal stuff and it’s all current now.” Ryker studied her. “Don’t be getting ideas.”
She sat back and took a sip of her iced coffee. “I do this for complete strangers. Why wouldn’t I help my boyfriend’s family?”
Boyfriend. It was the first time they’d put a label on it. He couldn’t help but smile.
“I wouldn’t ask you to do something like that.” He paused. “I’d rather uh… we all stop the illegal stuff. If Ez and I are free, I couldn’t take it if something happened to you from all the hacking.”
Now it was her turn to be caught off guard. Her brows came together as she toyed with her chopsticks. “I help people, though.”
He sighed. “I know. You do something good in this fucked up system.” His eyes found the shoulder he had massaged that first day they’d taken her. Then his gaze swept across the rest of her, and the places where scars were hidden beneath her clothes. He should have given her another massage after the way they’d manhandled her the night before.
“Hey,” she waved a hand. “I see that look you’re giving me right now, and stop.”
“What?”
“That look.” A muscle feathered in her jaw. “The one where I’m this breakable doll or something.”
A lump formed in his throat. “I don’t see you like that, and neither does Ez.”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. You aren’t fragile—you deserve to be treatedright.” Ryker poked at his noodles. “You’re tough as fuck, Willow. You deserve to have a boyfriend—or two, who will rub that aching shoulder, take you to breakfast, and fuck you until you can’t walk or remember your own name.”
She bit her lip as those bright blue eyes found his. “You really don’t mind it if I’m with Ezra too?”
