Page 182 of Barinov

She finally lets out a long, shaky breath against my chest. “You better be,” she whispers.

“I will be.” I roll back over, smirking as I pin her into the mattress before she can find another reason to worry. “Now, stop thinking about that damn house.”

♥♥♥

Luca’s House - Ditmas Park

Later that night.

Ty’s hand clamps down on my shoulder as he leans up from the back seat.

“Damn,” he says. “Who knew B’s engagement would draw this kind of crowd?”

“Where the hell am I supposed to park?” Brett asks, his eyes scanning the horizon of black glass.

The streets of Ditmas Park are lined with looming Victorian mansions. Each one a different tribute to old-money Brooklyn. Every inch of pavement is choked by sleek black SUVs and polished luxury sedans. Their engines still ticking from recent arrivals.

I point toward a curb. “Just pull over up there by that Aston.”

Ring. Ring.

Ring. Ring.

I hit the button on the dash. “Hey darlin’, you’re on the truck’s speaker.”

“Don’t tell her that!” Brett mutters. “I like it when Buttercup is off her leash.”

“Brett!” Ellie shrieks. “Quit calling me that. It wasn’t cute at Christmas and it sure as shit ain’t cute now.”

“Sure as shit ain’t?” Ty snickers. “El, you’ve been hanging out with us for far too long, honey. Your accent is switchin’ up again.”

“Ugh! You guys are insufferable.”

“You love us,” Brett adds, pulling over between a silver BMW and a blacked-out Aston Martin that looks almost identical to Cade’s.

“Sometimes,” she admits, though from the sound of her voice I know her ocean-blues are rolling on that beautiful face of hers. “Are you guys ready? Did the masks I grabbed you look good? Is everything—”

“Darlin’,” I cut her off before this soon to be spiral gets out of hand. “Everything is solid. We’re fine. In and out, remember?”

“Ellie, give me that.” There’s a rustle on the other end followed by a high-pitched squeal from my girlfriend.

“Hey, Caleb,” Haley laughs. “She’ll be fine.”

“Thanks, Hales,” I say, shaking my head with a smile.

“Seriously though,” Haley continues. “Be safe in there.”

“Understood.”

“And when you see her…” she pauses, her voice breaking on a sniffle. “Can you tell her we love her?”

“Yes, please babe!”

My jaw ticks, the muscle jumping in my cheek as I glance over at my brothers. Brett’s grip tightens on the steering wheel so much the leather groans. Ty exhales hard, leaning back as his expression goes cold.

“I will,” I confirm, my voice dropping. “Now both of you relax, alright? We’re gonna get your best friend back.”

“Tonight,” Brett adds, slamming the truck in park.