“Your gift. A house. One that’s big enough for you and your family.”
“I can’t accept this.”
“Well, with graduating, I figured you would need somewhere to live. Can’t stay at the academy forever, and I doubt you’d want to live at Monty’s, Maggie’s, or HQ.”
“I mean, that’s true, but…”
“No buts, dear. Let’s call this eighteen years’ worth of Christmas, birthday, Easter and tooth fairy gifts owed.”
“Tooth fairy?” I raise a brow.
“It’s a big house.” He smirks. “I figured you might also like your space from the boys, so there’s plenty of bedrooms, bathrooms too.”
“Oh wow, thank you. Yeah, boys are gross.” I laugh. “No offence.”
“None taken. We do grow out of it.”
“This feels too much.”
“It isn’t. It would mean the world to me if you’ll accept it.”
“Thank you.” What else can I say? He beams at me and I hug him on impulse. He hugs me right back and it’s a wonderful feeling.
“I’ve emailed over all the details. It’s not too far from HQ so you don’t have a horrible commute to contend with, but far enough away to give you down time. Let’s go join the others. I think the meat is finally ready. I do hope it’s juicy.”
I splutter a cough, causing Dirk to pause. His eyes twinkle, making me wonder if he heardexactlywhat we were talking about when he arrived. Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything, and we walk back to the garden in companionable silence.
I spy Baxter on the outskirts of the party, a curious observer half in the shadows. I shake my head; he’s part of the gang now, he needs to start acting like it. Beckoning him over, I idly wonder if I’m brave enough to push him in the pool like I did Kalen.
“Don’t even think about it, I’ll gut you,” he murmurs when he reaches my side.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Maybe not. But I’d happily gut any and all of your little boy toys, so try me.”
I ignore the challenge and we both remain on dry land.
“You need to join in.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“You don’t look like you’re having fun,” I point out.
“I’m not allowed to gut anyone. Why would this be my idea of fun?” he deadpans.
Honestly, I don’t think he’s joking.
“Fine. At least try to enjoy yourself. Elsie’s learnt a couple of cool tricks as part of her combat training. Get her to show you them later.”
“Will do, boss.”
“Let’s talk business a minute, Batman,” I tell him. He nods so I continue. “I’m giving you your pardon.” He actually looks relieved. “It’s not finalised yet but all of the board have agreed to sign off on it, once Harold’s corruption has been weeded out.”
“That’s fair.”
“Until then, you have my blessing to take a backseat role within The Order, voting by proxy, if you can agree to be on standby for emergency jobs.”
“What do you deem an emergency?”
