I nodded. “Yeah.”
Cole grunted but didn’t say anything else as I leaned on Anson. He held me tightly.
“It’s just Dante, baby. You can handle him, and if you can’t, I will,” Anson murmured.
I smiled at that.
I knew my guys would, but I didn’t want it to come to that.
We arrivedat Dante’s before Enzo and Ethan, so we walked inside after Malachi answered the door.
“Ah, there she is,” he greeted me, sweeping me into his arms in a big hug. “Hey, sis. How’s it going? Looking good.”
“I’m good,” I replied, smiling at him as he set me on my feet. It hadn’t slipped past me that Cole had stepped forward the moment Malachi grabbed me, but Anson had gripped his arm.
“Unkie Kai!” Ellis called out.
“Hey, monster.” Malachi picked her up. “How’s my favorite ballerina?”
“Good.” She giggled. “My daddy is here!”
The smile on Malachi’s face tightened as he looked over at Cole, Ellis on his hip.
“Cole,” he greeted him. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Fancy indeed.” Cole stepped forward and held his arms out. Ellis immediately reached for him, and Malachi let her go, a smirk on his lips. He knew as well as I did that Cole was nervous with him holding her.
“Where’s Dante?” Anson asked.
“Office with Shadow and Ashes.” Malachi eyed me. “You OK?”
My lips twitched. “I’m just upset that we’re here.”
“Ah, you know Dante. He cares about you, sis. Just go in there and put him in his place.”
I nodded. It’s what I planned to do.
“Well, look who it is,” Asylum said, sweeping into the room wearing a pink tutu over his black pants. A sparkling tiara sat atop his black hair. “It’s my perfect little dance partner. Hey, tippy toes. I got something for you.” Asylum paused as he eyed me. “Hey, lover.” He winked.
I groaned. He still liked to call me that.
“What is it?” Ellis asked, her blue eyes bright.
Asylum pulled his hand out from behind his back and showed her a pretty tiara sized just for her.
She let out a squeal and wiggled in Cole’s arms. He grunted, trying to hold her, but eventually gave up the fight and set her on her feet. She rushed to Asylum and let him put the tiara on her head.
“Thank you! So much!” She danced around him. “Can I show Aunt Weena?”
“Come on. I’ll race you. Dance moves only.” Asylum twirled away, and Ellis followed, giggling as she twirled with him.
“You good?” Anson asked Cole, who stared at Ellis and Asylum as they twirled out of the room.
“I… Is she OK? With him? Here?” Cole asked. “I don’t like this shit.”
“Relax, pretty boy. We won’t eat her.” Malachi chuckled.
Cole shot a look at me that said he was definitely not happy about any of this. I reached out and squeezed his hand.
