“It’s a voucher to help with hacking on any mission of my choosing.”
We’re all silent because that is a huge deal. Dante is never allowed to help with hacking. Hayden must feel very giving today. Mason shifts uncomfortably on the edge of the chair. It takes everything inside me not to wrap my arm around him, tug him onto my lap, and bury my face in the crook of his neck.
“There’s more presents.” Hayden points at the other gift bags. “Keep going.”
Dante opens up the present from me and Jacob, which contains gift cards for custom Chucks. The final gift bag is from Reid, if evidenced by the way Dante’s eyes go large and he whispers something to Reid that is thankfully not for our ears. Finally, he grabs the box from the ground with a curious sort of look.
“Who’s this from?” Dante asks with a frown.
Reid looks around at all of us in confusion. “I assumed one of you?”
All of us shake our heads and shrug. Dante doesn’t seem bothered by it as he digs into the wrapping paper. He opens the box, and after a second of rustling the tissue paper inside, he pulls out a frame. A terrifying growl escapes him as he shoves the framed picture at Reid. The look on Reid’s face isn’t that dissimilar from Dante, except Reid’s lips are pursed in disgust.
“Well.” Reid looks at us all, then turns the picture around with a flourish. “That’s unexpected, huh?”
It’s a framed photo of The Carver, who Dante had briefly thought he killed after Reid’s kidnapping, until Robin bore news of his escape. The picture is a selfie in front of the house, and the guy is wearing the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen in my life, all while sipping at a whipped cream–laden iced coffee.
“You gotta admit, he has flair,” Jacob notes with a hint of hero worship.
“He tried to kill Reid,” Dante reminds everyone with a deep growl.
“Well, that’s not entirely true,” Reid argues.
Dante shifts his confused gaze to Reid. “What?”
“Uh… he just tortured me. He wasn’t aiming to kill.”
“You needed a blood transfusion,” Mason points out, voice high pitched and a little hysterical.
“Yeah, but, like, I didn’t die.”
“Oh my god, he has Stockholm syndrome,” Jacob says on a theatrical gasp.
“Whatever.” Reid rolls his eyes and tosses the signedpicture over his head so that it lands in the backyard. Amazing. “I’m sure it’s just… a little joke. Haha?”
Dante growls from deep in his chest and stares listlessly into the backyard. Birthday ruined, I guess. I help Mason and Reid clean up outside as Jacob tries to talk Dante down from whatever ledge he’s on. Once the party is all cleaned up and the beers have been put away, we move to the living room to hang out since the air is getting a little too chilly outside despite the new fire pit.
Hayden turns the television on so we can play some video games. It starts up on a news channel, and Jacob holds his hand out for Hayden to pause.
“Wait,” Jacob orders, voice firm enough to catch my attention.
Hayden moves to stand beside him, effectively blocking the television. “Holy shit.”
“You guys either need to share what’s happening or sit down so we can see for ourselves,” Reid shouts.
Hayden and Jacob both immediately sit to give us a view of the screen. The news broadcast says in block lettersBOTH DEAD SENATORS GUILTY OF PARTICIPATING IN A SEX TRAFFICKING RING.
“Oh my god,” Mason exclaims on a pained-sounding gasp.
Hayden quickly whips his head around. “Did you know?”
Mason’s eyes widen with fear. “I had no idea! I mean, I killed him because he deserved it, but I didn’t know… that he...” The words seem to get caught in his throat. He looks to me in need, and the only thing I can think to do is smile warmly at him, hoping to settle whatever nerves are starting to roil in his gut.
“Let’s go home,” I say quietly, shocked that his house is starting to feel more like home to me.
Mason visibly slumps in relief. “Okay.”
“You’re leaving? Now?” Hayden asks accusingly.
