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“Geez, sorry. You’d think for an assassin, I’d be more aware of my surroundings,” I mumbled sheepishly, meeting Rueben’s eyes.
He smiled, finding humor in my response. He held his hand out and motioned for me to sit between his legs on the floor. Hopping down, I crawled into his lap and gave him the comb.
“You sure?” I asked, biting my lip.
He nodded, his dark eyes warmed as he watched me. His tattooed fingers turned my head around to the TV before they softly trailed through my hair. His touch was gentle, just like him, as he took his time combing out my knotted strands.
Soon, I was so relaxed that I forgot he was detangling my hair; my scalp and neck adored the soft massages he gave them in between sections.
“Blow dryer?” he asked, leaning down to ask me. Nodding, I moved to get up when a blur raced across the room, sliding into the bathroom.
“I got it!” Porter shouted, running back out with it, a triumphant smile on his face. That was when I looked around, noticing that Otto and Porter had joined us.
“Where’s Phoenix?” I asked. It felt strange watching the show without him. I’d enjoyed looking at him for reactions last night or talking about our theories. It added a whole new layer to watching something.
“He went to pick up the food.”
“Down,” Rueben said before I could ask more questions. The blow dryer came on, his fingers picking up my long locks and drying them with as much care as he had combed.
Now, this was the treatment. If I didn’t have to comb or dry my hair, I’d spend more time on styling it. As it was, I only fixed it when I knew I’d see people. Which, for someone who spent days and weeks on end in the mansion, wasn’t a lot.
“Whoa,” Phoenix said a while later, the door shutting behind him. I glanced up from my curtain of hair, wondering what had caught his attention. Both Otto and Porter still watched me, so it wasn’t them.
“Right?” Porter said, apparently understanding what his twin meant.
“What?” I asked, looking back and forth, trying to figure it out.
“I volunteer to do Raven’s hair next time,” Phoenix blurted, surprising me.
“It’s definitely a job suited for both of us, Brother,” Porter added, his hand on his chin as he watched.
Rolling my eyes, I focused back on what Rueben was doing. Honestly, I didn’t know if I wanted anyone else to do this. It felt nice having this moment with my silent giant. It seemed like he needed this, too, rewriting something from his past. Yeah, I needed to say something.
“Too bad. Rueben’s got first dibs. You’ll have to find your own thing,” I said. Rueben paused, placing his large palm against my back. I took that as a thanks, and I smiled, liking that I’d made him happy.
“Oh! I vote for cuddles. The twins get dibs on cuddles!”
“Yes, perfect, Brother.”
“Wait! What’s all on the table? I feel like I’m behind,” Otto interjected, his voice almost a panic-whine.
Okay, maybe I’d misinterpreted their gawking. Perhaps this was Rueben’s job, and he did it for everyone? I didn’t want to be a burden and make their group dynamics off-kilter.
“Um, whatever you want. I’m not used to doing things in a group. How does that work with you guys?”
Rueben’s hand stopped; Otto and the twins as well, the three of their gazes locked to me, their mouths partly open. I couldn’t be sure, but there almost seemed to be heat in their eyes as well. Just what had I said now? I ran the words through my mind, trying to figure out what I was missing. My brow furrowed.
“Like, do you take turns doing the dishes? Cooking? We had maids and cooks, so I have to admit I’m not the greatest at household duties. I can learn if you tell me which one you want me to do. Hm, I am great at facials,” I said, pausing as I tapped my lip, trying to think of more.
Otto practically choked, and the twins weren’t fairing much better. Phoenix had to grab Porter before he fell over. I didn’t think it was that shocking that we had people to do things for us, but maybe I’d become spoiled.
“Oh!” Pointing my finger in the air when a thought struck. Aha! I so was not spoiled! “I can make all kinds of chemical gadgets. I’m also great at first aid, as long as no blood is present. I’m an excellent taste tester and napper. Do you need help in any of those areas?”
There. I could add to their group, too. Otto’s face softened, his eyes no longer bulging out of his head.
“Little Bird, we’ll appreciate any help you want to offer us. But you don’t have to do anything to earn your place with us. In fact, we were fighting over spending time with you, not jobs.”
“Oh.” My cheeks heated, and I turned, checking in with Rueben. He smiled, smoothing my hair down. I hadn’t realized the blow dryer had shut off. “Well, I’d like that too. I want to do things with each of you separately and all together.”
