“Sounds like a plan,” Rachel says, sounding almost giddy at the idea of getting her gun back.
I shake my head. I’m pretty sure the woman is more in love with her rifle than her partner at this point.
“Come on, I’m starving. We can fuck Ollie later,” Theo says, grabbing my arm and dragging me away from Alex, who’s still looking at me like I’m a juicy steak and he’s starving.
Alex huffs out a laugh and takes my other hand, twining our fingers together. “I’m holding you to that,” he says, squeezing my hand.
I squeeze back. “Nocomplaints here.”
“I should hope not, considering how hard we made you come last night,” Theo murmurs in my ear before pressing a kiss to my neck, causing a shiver of pleasure to race down my spine. He goes to say something else, but we reach the communal dining area before he can, and the amazing scent of food overtakes our thoughts.
Various people trickle in as we enjoy our meal. First, is Tamsin who sidles up to Rachel, followed by my brother and his wife, both of them joining in on the chattering and laughter. Simon joins us at some point, and while I don’t know him very well, Rhys greets him happily before the two of them descend into an intense conversation about security measures.
About halfway through lunch, a new couple joins us.
“Hi!” the woman says, grinning brightly at me as she plops down into a chair opposite. She looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t put my finger on it until she explains. “I’m Harriet, Rhys’s sister, and this is my husband, Matt.” The man in question offers me a welcoming smile as he sits beside his wife.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ollie, Rhys’s friend.”
Several people snort and cough at my proclamation, including Alex and Theo. My eyes narrow at them, but only Alex has the decency to look sheepish while Theo just grins.Assholes. Aren’t they supposed to be on my side? Rachel kicks me under the table, and I turn my glare to her, but she just smiles. Tobias snickers from further down the table.
Why do I hang out with these people?
Harriet’s dark brows shoot upward at everyone’s reaction, and her gaze turns calculating as it flicks between me and her brother. Her eyes are a darker shade than Rhys’s amber eyes, more of an oak brown than honey. “I see.”
I grimace. “Just ignore them.”
Rhys grunts in agreement and turns to his younger sister. “You going to tell me what you did to piss off Elsa?” he asks, effectively turning the conversation away from our relationship status.
Harriet’s head drops back as she groans. “She’s a bitch, and I called her out on it.”
Matt huffs from beside his wife. “You did more than that. You insulted her in front of everyone and said that she was useless at her job.”
Her head whips towards him. “She deserved it! I told her we needed to stop reassigning our security guys, but she wouldn’t listen.” She scowls, looking so much like Rhys. “You’re supposed to be onmyside, not rat me out to my brother.”
I offer her a sympathetic smile.I know exactly how you feel.
“If I hadn’t said anything, he would have just asked Anthony,” Matt says with an unrepentant shrug.
Harriet clutches her chest. “Betrayed by my own husband,” she says dramatically.
A couple of people around the table chuckle at her antics while she and her husband squabble. Rhys and the guys cut in every now and again to tease her, which she dished right back. It’s sweet to see the close relationship she has with the guys, how even Theo and Alex treat her like a little sister.
I sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. I could get used to this. Hot men, amazing food, and good friends.
I just wish I knew why there were still knots in my stomach and dread lurking in the back of my mind.
Shitshow
Theo
The sun has barelyrisen, and this day has already gone to shit.
“Where the fuck is everyone?” Rhys snaps as his gaze sweeps across the empty room. There should be at least twenty people in here, all warmed up and ready to learn some self-defence. But this place is a ghost town.
I rub my face and stifle a groan. I dragged my ass out of bed and away from Ollie’s warm, perfect body at the crack of dawn forthis? Shit, I could have woken her up by eating that pretty pussy of hers until she came all over my face. Butnooo, I had to set a good example for the rest of Haven and teach a bunch of people how to throw a punch.
So much for that.
