I’m not surprised that my dad hired them. I’d been looking into Lunar Security before I was kidnapped. But it’s yet another piece of information they’ve been keeping from me.
Seeing my displeasure written all over my face, Akio explains, “We didn’t bring it up because we weren’t sure how you’d react. You still believe your dad is innocent in all of this.”
I bite my tongue on my sharp retort because he’s right. I haven’t seen a lick of proof telling me otherwise. But even so, being kept in the dark hurts.
“If you’d brought this to my attention earlier, I could have told you that I knew he wanted to hire you before you took me. I could have helped you prepare for a meeting with him. I’ve spent a lot of my life learning how to deal with the man.”
“You’re right.” Akio steps forward, and I don’t stop him when he reaches for me this time, cupping the back of my neck and leaning down to press his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry,” he says, his breath warming my lips. “Fuck, I’m sorry I made you feel like you aren’t the strongest fucking woman I know. And we should have told you about our plans. It won’t happen again.” He dips his head so that I’m looking straight into his dark, endless eyes. “I promise. Okay?”
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and nod. “Okay.”
He smiles wide, a dimple forming on his left cheek. “Want to watch mind-numbing reality TV until Teo has dinner ready?”
“Yeah.” I return his grin. “But you’re going to have to hunt down where I threw the remote.”
“On it.” He winks and moves away to search.
Declan pushes off the counter. “I could do with some mind-numbing TV.” He pauses in front of me just long enough to lean down and placea soft kiss on my cheek before he hops over the back of the couch and stretches out his long legs. For someone who struggles to express his feelings, that move was an apology wrapped in a fucking bow.
Stomach still fluttering with butterflies, I’m left staring at Matteo.
He glares at me as he pulls his apron back over his head to continue cooking dinner. I try and fail to bite back my smile at the sight. “Cerberus doesn’t take into account other people’s feelings when we have a job to do, so don’t expect us to start with you. You may be working with us, but that doesn’t mean you’re one of us. Think of yourself as a consultant.”
Ouch. But at least he isn’t afraid to spare my feelings anymore. “There’s the Funshine I know and love,” I tease. “About fucking time. I was this close to switching out the salt for the sugar just to get a reaction out of you.”
His shoulders tense, and he jabs a finger in my direction. “Hands out of my kitchen, Menace.”
I flip him the middle finger before joining Dec and Akio on the couch, snuggling between their massive forms. Akio tosses a blanket over the three of us, and Dec throws his arm around my shoulders. My heart warms as I lean into them, and I release a sigh, letting go of the tension I’ve been carrying all week. All is right in the world again.
For now.
Chapter 25
Fallon
The shrill sound of an alarm on a phone from upstairs wrests my attention away from the massive TV in the living room. I’m curled up on the couch with Hades when two sets of feet pound down the stairs.
“How bad is it?” Matteo’s voice thunders as he reaches the foyer.
Akio is already pulling up the details right behind him, face buried in a tablet. “Both a physical and virtual breach at Lunar. I can get started on the virtual but we need to move.”
Matteo’s phone rings and he immediately answers.
“I have the Hummer out front. Move it you two.” Declan's deep rumble pours out of his speaker so loud that I can hear it from where I am sprawled on the couch. They head for the front door, but both stop and turn back, as if just remembering me.
I give a little wave, not bothering to get up since Hades is practically on top of me and looks like he has no plans to move anytime soon.
“Stay here. The doors will be locked. You’ll be safe inside. Don't do anything stupid,” Matteo commands, his tone sharp.
“Safe inside or safe from escaping?” I arch an eyebrow, clearly irritated by his constant orders.
“Just do what I say, Menace.” His eyes dip. “And put on some fucking pants.”
I flip him the bird even though I know there is a hint of a smile on my face that I can't seem to make go away.
He shakes his head at me, but when Declan blasts the horn, they swiftly move to the door, ready to tackle yet another fucking problem.
I turn the volume up on the TV and make myself comfortable on what has to be the fluffiest couch in the world. I absentmindedly watch the reality show playing, my attention focused on stroking this big ass dog who didn’t even budge at the commotion.
