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GENEVIEVE
We don’t talk about it, not right then, though I’m awake when Gage climbs back into the car. I don’t ask about why they gave the jewels away or what that place was. I’ll ask later, but for now, I just want to bask in the knowledge that I’m still learning about the four of them. After everything, after all I’ve witnessed them do, I’m still surprised by their actions.
And I like that.
For some reason, they don’t compare themselves to Robin Hood, but yet there they were, giving away the items we’d taken to give someone else the help they needed. They’d given all four bags away, not keeping a single one for themselves.
My respect for them rises.
The drive back out to the farmhouse goes by quicker than I expect as I study the stars through the window. Once we’re past the city and driving along the rural backroads, I untie my mask and remove it. Carefully, I pull the wig from my head and toss it in the back, letting my own hair cascade down around my shoulders, relieving the tension where the pins held my real hair tightly down. Gage glances over at me and pulls his own mask off before tossing it carelessly behind him. The bunching of his muscles makes me lick my lips before I quickly glance away, not wanting his knowing eyes to track the movement.
I smile at him sweetly and then focus back on the stars overhead. It’s a clear night, with no clouds blocking the view, and it’s beautiful. The only thing that could make it better would be a glass of wine and a blanket to lean back on with my four guys around me. That sounds like the heaven I want to be a part of.
“You did good,” Gage murmurs.
When I glance at him, he’s gazing out the front window, purposely not looking at me. His hands twist nervously on the wheel, but that can’t be right…can it?
Surely I don’t make Gage nervous.
“Is that a compliment?” I tease with a grin, unable to help myself.
“No,” he mutters roughly and leaves it at that, but his fingers find mine again and hold on tight. The big grumpy bear has decided he likes me after all.
The farmhouse is dark when we drive up and park, the Jeep pulling in behind us. Everyone jumps out of the car at the same time, but I’m a little slower with my dress. Before I can open my door, Eric is opening it from the other side and offering his hand to me to help me out. I take it without hesitation, allowing him to lead me over the uneven ground and into the house. Gage flips on lights ahead of us, bringing our home back into focus.
Home…
When did I start to think of this old house as a home?
I glance around at the four men moving about, watching Archer tug his bowtie loose and unbutton his shirt. Gage checks the house for threats, while Eric stays beside me, his fingers warm in mine. Booker is already gathering things into a trash bag, and when he gestures towards the dress I’m wearing, I look down with a frown.
“What?”
“We have to burn everything,” he says, pointing to the dress.
Sadness hits me. I really like this dress. I go to reach for the zip, but Eric stalls my hand.
“That can wait until morning,” Eric tells Booker. “Tonight, let’s just…relax, yeah?”
Booker hesitates and glances towards Archer in question, but Archer shrugs. “A single night won’t hurt anything. Let it be for now.” He opens the refrigerator. “What do we have to eat? I’m starving.”
“We should have taken some of the lobster and steak from the party,” Eric chastises. “No one would have noticed, and I bet it tasted amazing.”
In answer, my own stomach growls, and I press a hand to it. In all the excitement, we hadn’t even stopped for food, and now I’m starving. “I think there’s cereal and milk. I want some of that.” I let go of Eric and move around the kitchen, leaning into the cupboard for the cereal boxes before getting out bowls. “Anyone else?”
Four affirmative responses answer my question, so I start to pour cereal out evenly between the bowls, dropping a little extra for Gage. Booker grabs the milk from the fridge and starts to add it, and Eric grabs five spoons, then we all carry them to the table and take a seat.
Like a real family.
For a second, I just sit on my chair and smile at the four of them digging into their cereal. This right here, this moment, is what I’ve been searching for. I’ve searched my entire life, thinking money would get me there, but in the end, it was the complete opposite.
I’m sitting with four thieves in an abandoned farmhouse eating cereal, and for the first time in my life, I feel complete, whole, and loved.
“You know my story,” Eric starts after chewing a bite of cereal, “but have we ever told you all of ours?”
“I know yours, and I know Booker’s.” I smile gently at Booker. “But Gage and Archer have yet to trust me enough for such ventures.”
Archer rolls his eyes. “There’s not much to tell. I was a small kid. When I got bigger, I was able to target the bullies. No big deal.”
