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I pull Seraphina over to the chair they’ve left open for her at the table and sit her down in it.
“What happened? Where was she?” Lucas asks.
“She was in Alexander’s cave, roaming the internet.” I stand behind her, folding my arms over my chest.
“She was?” Oliver levels her with a hard stare. “I thought we went over that last night?”
“You did.” She nods. “I never agreed. I’m not a child, I don’t need permission to go on the internet,” she says with heat.
His eyebrow arches but I can see he appreciates her spunk as much as I do.
“You’re right, you’re not a child. So, you should have been able to follow a simple rule like staying off the internet,” I say.
“I guess we need to talk then.” Lucas leans back in his chair, eyeing her.
“I’m sorry. All right?” She shoves up out of the chair, bumping into me then wiggling around me. “Let’s just eat dinner.”
Lucas checks with me, and I put my hand up.
“Let her eat. She’ll need the strength,” I tell him.
“She’s gonna regret that later.” Dylan chuckles. His eyes have a red tint to them. It’s clear he’s been outside smoking himself dopey.
The men all gather in the kitchen, each dishing up a large bowl of chili and bringing it back to the table, eating in silence.
“You didn’t have to cook,” Seth tells her after he takes the last heaping spoonful of his serving. “But it’s good.” He shoves the last bite in.
“Real good.” Oliver licks his spoon. “Better than Seth’s.” He winks at her then goes back for another bowl.
Once everyone’s eaten and cleared their spot, Serafina busies herself in the kitchen cleaning up.
“When you’re done in there, you can head up to your room. I’ll be up in a bit so we can finish our discussion,” I tell her as I slide my bowl in the dishwasher.
She looks up at me with confusion. “Why? We already talked. I said I was sorry. It’s over.” She pops a soap capsule into the dishwasher and closes it. I lean my hip against the counter and stare down at her.
“No, it’s not done. You went behind our backs and did exactly what you were told not to do. There’s a reason you’re not to go online.” I fold my arms over my chest. “Finish up and get to your room.” I jerk my chin toward the stairs.
“He’s gonna bust your butt,” Dylan blurts out. “Shoulda just stayed outta Alexander’s room.”
Seth gives him a hot glare. “You wanna be second?” he barks.
Dylan’s smile slips from his lips, and he shakes his head. “No, sir.”
“Then zip it. Let Colt deal with the girl.”
Dylan nods and heads to the living room.
Seraphina’s face reddens, but she ducks her head and goes back to cleaning up the kitchen. I watch her methodically wipe down the counters. I move away from the sink when she washes the pot and puts it on the stove to dry.
But when she opens the fridge and starts to empty a shelf onto the counter, with the intent to clean the fridge, I stop her.
“Enough stalling. Upstairs.” I point to her room.
Her eyes cloud. “I’d rather not.”
“I’m sure that’s true.” There’s a trace of fear in her expression and that won’t do. “Nothing to be scared of, sweetheart. Now go on.”
Her jaw clenches, and for a second, I think she’s going to make a run for the front door again.
