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“Don’t I know it,” I mutter, sipping my coffee again.
“You never could have predicted any of this,” she assures me, resting her hand on my forearm and squeezing gently.
“No, I know that. Doesn’t stop me feeling guilty though.”
“You’ve nothing to feel guilty about. If it weren’t for you, then they might still be nowhere near finding who was running that trafficking ring. Because of you, they’re all dead. They’re not going to hurt anyone else. Reid found peace, and a sister. Luciana completed her mission and can begin terrifying someone else. And we, hopefully, get to have a nice calm summer before exam results and you guys all start at uni.”
“Here’s hoping.”
“I’m ordering lunch from Burnt Coals. Did you want to choose?” Calli asks, sliding her phone over. When my brows pinch, she continues with, “It’s the best burger place in the city, and this one,” she says, rubbing her small bump, “is demanding one. Or five.”
“Fair enough. What does Alex have?”
“Their spicy burger. It’s already in the basket.”
Of course it is.
After a quick scroll through the options, I make my selection and pass it back.
“I’ve got some money in my purse. I’ll get it when they’ve—”
“Evie,” Calli says, an edge to her tone that I’m not sure I’ve heard before. “That’s not how things work around here. “Alex will pay next time.’
“But—”
“You’re one of us now. Better start getting used to it.”
With a smile, I park my argument for another day. I might have a decent stash of money from camming and dancing, but it’s not going to last me forever. Especially once I start uni. I’ll need to find a job at some point.
We continue chatting for a few more minutes, keeping the conversation light before the rumbling voices from down the hall begin to get louder.
“Look out, here comes trouble,” Calli says under her breath before Alex and Daemon appear, standing side by side.
“Jesus,” I mutter. “I bet they used to cause people hell trying to tell them apart when they were kids.”
“Oh, they’ve got stories,” she confirms.
“Right, my time here is done. Where are my girls?” Gianna says with a wide smile as she steps around Alex.
The second she steps up to us, she wraps an arm around each of our shoulders, pulling us in tight.
“Look after my boys,” she whispers. “I know they like to act all tough, but we all know they’re teddy bears really.”
“Mother,” Alex warns. “What secrets are you spilling now?”
“Oh, nothing they don’t already know. Call me if you need me, any of you.” She pins us all with a look before grabbing her handbag from the sofa and throwing the strap over her shoulder. “Just not after eight tonight. I have another date with that guy I was telling you—”
“Mum,” Daemon warns.
“What? He’s taking me to see a show. It’s not like we’re going to Hades or anything.” She rolls her eyes dramatically.
“A little warning if you do start spending your evenings there. We’d hate to bump into you and make your date awkward.”
“Enough, Alexander. Be good, all of you,” she instructs before disappearing from our sight, the front door slamming behind her a few seconds later.
“She doesn’t really go to Hades, does she?” Calli asks.
Daemon rubs the back of his neck, looking equally as intrigued by Gianna’s confession as he does disturbed.
