“I’m mad at Eli for involving my brothers. He needs to pay.” Her words are sharp. She stabs the air again. “If Nora finds out?—”
“Jesse will take care of Nora.” I love to see Sophie’s fire return, even if it’s fueled by anger. Her eyes flash and her shoulders square, and I want to pull her close and never let go. “You planned to tell them anyway.”
“Yes, but on my time. Eli…”
“Cares about you.”
She shrugs. “He should mind his own business.”
“When has any Wilde minded their own business?”
Sophie opens her mouth then closes it.
“You’ll get over it and so will they,” I add. “That’s what family does.”
She tilts her head, nods, and puts the spatula into the sink. I pull the meat off the grill, and we eat at the table. I wait to see if she says anything, but she focuses on her plate. I get it. She has a lot going on. The silence is comfortable, and this is the domestic scene I’ve dreamed of for years. If only Sophie was here by choice and not circumstance.
The thought sits heavy in my chest, but I push it down. Right now, keeping her safe is what matters.
Afterwards, we wash the dishes. Well, Sophie washes. I dry. Again, I get the feeling that this is what has been missing from the cabin and my life, her presence filling the quiet space.
She hands me a plate. “We make a good team.”
“We do.” And I’ll do what it takes to make us a permanent team. That’s what I’ve wanted for years.
She motions to the sink. “But a nice kitchen needs a real dishwasher.”
“Noted.” Once Volkov is arrested, I’ll order one from Eli’s store. I had this place built with Sophie in mind. I should’ve realized she’d want a dishwasher, but it’s only ever me here so washing by hand never bothered me. Now I want every comfort for her.
My phone rings. Sophie stills, her shoulders going tight.
I glance at the screen, and my pulse ratchets. “It’s Reeves.”
Her smile looks forced. “Good news, I hope.”
“Let’s find out.” I answer. “King.”
“The judge signed the warrant. Know you can handle this, but I’ll be there in the morning so we can take Volkov back with us.”
Weas inReeves won’t be coming to Lush Hollow alone. The more the merrier. “Thanks, man.”
“Hold the line tonight.”
I give Sophie the thumbs up sign. “I will. See you tomorrow.”
The line disconnects. “The warrant’s been signed.”
As she leans against the counter, I fire off a quick text to her brothers and Eli. “Family updated.”
Sophie exhales, but instead of relief, her eyes look glassy, like she’s barely holding herself together.
I set the phone down and move to her. She meets me halfway. Her hands fist my shirt as her mouth finds mine, a little desperate.
I lift her onto the counter. Her legs wrap around my waist, and the heat of her pressed against me nearly shorts out my brain. Her body against mine like this after all these years is almost too much.
“Bedroom,” she whispers against my lips.
I pull back to see her face. “You sure this is the right time?”
