Page 96 of Dark Reunion

“About that...”

Cody leaned back and stared at him, worry filling his silvery eyes.

“You’re looking at the new leader of the Righteous.”

“Oh, is that all? Here I thought you were going to say you decided to run a massive secret military organization, and our lives would forever be a spy novel.” Cody smiled wide, tugging Trev’s hand. “Why don’t you come on over to the couch and I’ll fix you your favorite drink while you tell me all about it.”

“I have a better idea, and it involves getting you naked,” Trev growled.

Cody’s eyes lit up. “Then get your ass down to the bedroom,” Cody ordered.

Trev smiled. “For once, I might even take orders.”

Cody snorted. “Unlikely, but that’s part of the reason why I love you.”

Trev stopped Cody and looked into his eyes, not believing how lucky he was.

“I love you too,” Trev whispered, letting the words find their place.

Cody smiled. And just like that, the world was right again. No bad guys, no responsibility, or anything else to get in the way. Simply…perfect.

AREK

Arek pushed the bedroom door open quietly. Renee stirred, half-awake, reaching toward the nightstand. “If that’s not you, I’m shooting,” she murmured.

“Then shoot,” he said, voice low, teasing her. “But you better not miss, I’ve taught you better than that.”

Her head snapped up, now fully awake. When she saw him—bruised, grinning, but alive— she launched from the bed and ran straight into his arms. “I thought I was never⁠—”

“You think too much,” he interrupted, catching her mouth in a kiss, tasting the relief on her lips. She laughed against them, the sound small and disbelieving.

“God, I missed you,” he groaned.

“I missed you more.”

“Being away made one thing clear. I’m so damn lucky. All I pictured was coming home to you and the kids. Honestly, I think I want a whole soccer team of them, what do you think?”

Renee laughed, the sound magical to his ears. “Well, then you’re well on your way. I’m not sure if I love you or want to choke you, but I’m pregnant.”

“I have the best fucking swimmers,” he whooped. Picking Renee up, he spun her in his arms as they laughed before laying her down on the bed. “I fucking love you.”

Reaching up, she traced the outline of a new cut. “No to the soccer team, but I love you too, you crazy ass.”

“Yeah, but I’m your crazy.”

The world could still be burning, but their room was filled with only heartbeats and peace.

KES

Trev had dropped Kes off at the store down the road from his condo, and by the time he picked out what he wanted, rain had begun to fall. He rode the elevator up to his and Ashley’s condo and knocked on the door. It was late, but he knew she would be up. Ashley was a night owl and loved to sit in the living room reading until the wee hours of the morning.

He could hear her padding softly toward the door, and a second later, the door whipped open, a wide smile on her face that warmed every part of him.

She leaped on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him hard. It didn’t matter that he’d fallen in love with her over twenty years ago. Every day felt like the first time he’d seen her. His heart ached being away from her.

“You remembered,” she whispered, as she slowly pulled back and stared at the pretty yellow flowers.

“I forget a lot of things,” he said, stepping closer, “but never you. Never.”