I pick at the protein waffles as I peck at the keys on Hayden’s computer. It’s a simple fix, and when I slide the computer back toward him, he grunts in acceptance of my greater knowledge. Dante slips down in the chair beside me, then leans over to press a kiss to my cheek.
The sound of the front door slamming open has me looking over my shoulder to find Parker wandering in.
“Snowing!” Parker calls out while taking off his shoes.
“Fuck, I have class in fifteen minutes,” Jacob whines.
Hayden stands and makes his way to the kitchen, hip-checks Jacob away from the sink. “I’ll do the dishes for you.”
“You do the dishesbadly,” Jacob points out, but doesn’t move to stop Hayden. They have some wordless exchange until Jacob huffs, then disappears toward the front door to leave for class.
The house is warm, my stomach is full, and Dante’s handis a brand on my thigh under the table. I lean my elbow against the table, softly putting my chin in the palm of my hand to watch Dante eat.
He chews on his waffle while turning to face me. “What?”
I didn’t expect to find an odd sort of little family when I stalked Dante all those months ago. Didn’t expect to fall into this Avengers type of plot either. But it’s nice to have something like a family for once, people that choose me, people that keep an eye out for me.
“I think I’ll move in permanently,” I tell Dante, grinning when his eyes bug out.
“Really?”
“Yeah, why not?”
“What about Mason?” Dante asks, eyebrows furrowed.
I glance over toward Parker in the living room where he’s standing still, distractedly removing his scarf from around his neck. He stares down at his phone with a shy little smile on his face, and somehow I know exactly why he’s smiling, and who exactly put that smile there.
“I’m not worried about Mason at all anymore.”
13
DANTE
Finally, my stitches are out and I’m all healed. I skip out of the doctor’s office feeling like a free fucking man. Am I excited to be cleared? Yes. But I am more excited to see Reid because he promised all sorts of vile and despicable things once I finally got permission from the doctor. I even got a nice little doctor’s note clearing me forallphysical activities.
Parker idles at the curb waiting for me since it’s snowing again, which means no motorcycle. I shake off the snow from my jacket once I’m in the heated passenger seat. It’s so fucking cold. I miss summer and spring.
“So?” Parker asks while navigating out of the parking lot.
“All clear!”
“Nice, now you can get back to work.”
“Now I can fuck my boyfriend,” I clarify.
Parker rolls his eyes. “Getting back to work is more important.”
“Let’s agree to disagree.” I tap my fingers on my jean-clad thighs for a few moments, too anxious to sit still. Good time to bother Parker. “How’s it going with Mason?”
Parker cuts me a look so vile that I fight the urge to squirm. “I’m keeping him safe, that’s it. I’m straight.”
“Sure.”
“I am!”
“Absolutely.”
“Dante.”
