Page 45 of Lost & Found

A large monitor hung on the wall at the back of the room. It was on, and a slew of family photos from our last holiday to the summer house played on repeat. I smiled and felt the tension leave my body.

“I’m not late?” I asked.

“No, Pasha overheard you say you had a late appointment earlier and so I pushed it back an hour,” Victoria answered.

“You look…smart.” I grinned as I took in her attire.

“Thanks. You don’t think it’s too much?”

She worked her lower lip between her teeth. She was taking this new role as family facilitator seriously. Last week we voted, and she was unanimously picked to keep us in order and on track.

Things had gotten chaotic with everyone’s work schedules, Declan’s many practices, not to mention Kinsley and me being full-time at our various studios. Nik had taken on a new team and was training them as private detectives, so he was busier than normal.

All it had taken was one sad little boy whose entire family wasn’t sitting in the stands cheering him on to know we needed a change.

And Victoria was it.

She had transformed her appearance tonight. She looked more like Samantha, Marcel’s receptionist, or Daphine, Nik’s receptionist, than her normal, casual mum. Dressed in a flattering royal blue high-waisted pencil skirt and a crisp white shirt tucked in, she exuded an air of confidence and authority. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled, and I couldn’t help but notice her freshly manicured nails.

“I’m sure Marcel will love it. Maybe after the meeting, the two of you could do a little role play,” I teased.

She flushed and smoothed down her skirt.

“Why didn’t I think of that? Oh no,” she exclaimed, suddenly looking concerned.

“What?” I asked, glancing over at the small table that had been set up for refreshments and tea. Delicate flowers sat in a vase in the middle, and the tea was already set out. But no refreshments were to be found. I was starving, and my stomach rumbled in protest.

“I’m wearing underwear,” Victoria whispered as her cheeks turned pink.

I burst out laughing. “Thanks for sharing, so am I,” I offered.

She shook her head and glanced down at her watch. “No, Marcel strictly forbids it.”

“Strictly?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, you hush…Kinsley, you’re finally here.” She dropped the topic of her underwear and Marcel’s obsession with her not wearing them and turned her attention to her.

Kinsley’s arms were laden with trays of delicious-looking desserts. Declan was carrying the tray of cookies.

“Oh, hey. You’re here already,” she exclaimed, rushing to put the trays down and hug me like I hadn’t seen her a few hours ago. “Declan, be a good luv and put the cookies next to the tea,” she directed.

He happily sat them down and looked around the room. His eyes were wide with excitement, clearly eager to be a part of the evening. I walked over to him while Kinsley reassured Victoria that everything was going to be perfect tonight.

“So what did you all bring? I’m starved,” I said, ruffling his hair before pulling him in for a hug.

“Cookies for everyone. I told her she only needed to make one kind because she made cakes, brownies, and Danishes. Those are not my favorite,” he whispered the last part quietly, and then pulled my head down to say something more in my ear. “Uncle Alek says Kinsley’s are the best ever, but her cookies are a thousand times better. But don’t tell her. I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” I wrapped my arms around him once more before letting him go.

Right about that time, the conference room door swung open and the men poured into the space, instantly filling it with their presence. Alek came in first. His blond hair was wet, like he’d just come from the shower.

A smile played at the corner of his lips as he set eyes on Kinsley. Nik and Ivan followed closely behind. Ivan laughed at something Nik was saying. Marcel made his way straight to Victoria and pulled her into his arms.

My brother and Pasha came in last. The expression on Sebastian’s face was serious and focused as he stepped into the room. Pasha’s face mirrored his as he looked around. I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between their attitudes and that of the Kings tonight.

I loved that Bash had taken Pasha under his wing. They’d formed a bond, and I was grateful for it. With a swift motion, Victoria moved away from Marcel and tapped the end of a pen against the table.

“Everyone is here, excellent. Look for your names and take a seat,” she commanded.