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Cian let out a deep rumbling laugh and dragged me close to him again, but not before I heard him whisper “narc” to Juliet.
Twenty minutes later, we were all gathered around the dining table up top, our glasses raised as we held a toast to Cian and me.
“Wait, where’s Valik?” I looked around at our group.
“He’s running late.” Juliet twirled her golden hair around her finger. “Said he had a surprise planned.”
That could mean anything. If there was one thing I had learned since meeting Valik, it was that he was tough on the outside, but a total cinnamon roll on the inside. The incident with Ryzen had only brought us closer. Cian had even givenValik an apartment unit in our building rent-free so that I would always have protection. To say that Valik had been ecstatic would have been an understatement.
Orin’s phone beeped, and he ran fingers through his dark hair. “Guys, I have to cut this short. I got a lead on a bounty.” He wiped his mouth and tossed his napkin on the table.
“Anything juicy?” Eros questioned as he cut into his steak.
“Actually, it’s a woman who stole over two million dollars from her ex-husband.”
I raised my eyebrows. Damn, thatwasjuicy. Typically, when Orin discussed his bounties, it was all men who had done something deplorable. But a woman on the run? I couldn’t help but wonder what her ex-husband had done to deserve that.
“Sorry, I’m so sorry, guys,” Valik boomed from the doorway, his face hidden behind a gigantic box with the Stan’s Pastry logo on the front.
I pressed my hand to my mouth to stop my laughter. Of course pastries were the reason this man was late.
Eros rushed over and helped him with the box, and Valik squeezed me tight against him. “I can’t breathe, you big moose,” I muffled against his shoulder and pulled back.
“I’m so happy for you, Nova.” He cupped my chin in his hands, his green eyes glistening.
“Don’t get soft on me now.” I poked his stomach and smiled. “Thank you, Valik. I’m happy you’re here to celebrate. Now tell me what on earth is in this box.”
“You’re not going to believe this.” His eyes lit up as he removed the top of the box, revealing a pastry tower over two feet tall. Each level had mini-pastries covered in red and black icing with gold flakes and spun sugar delicately drizzled over them, and on top were two heart-shaped pastry puffs with a little note that read “She said yes!”
“Stan made it especially for you, Nova.” He pointed at the top. “Do you see these little bites of heaven? Mini-pastries. Mini-frickin’-pastries. It was a pretty penny, but well worth it.” He beamed with his hands on his hips, and the table exploded in laughter.
Valik had become obsessed with my favorite diner joint, Stan’s, which served the most delectable pastries and shakes you could ever dream of. Once Valik had had one, he was like a madman. His personality was all about pastries. It was hilarious and adorable, especially for a man who was over six feet tall and two hundred and fifty pounds.
“Valik, this is the sweetest gift you could have ever given me. Thank you.” I squeezed his hand.
We sat around for the next hour, catching up on what we had missed all week. Thora was training our new assistant, Sophie Winchester, a shy, soft-spoken twentysomething who was in her last year of college.
“Did you know Sophie is a twin? She showed me pictures. They are so adorable I can’t stand it.” Thora chuckled and bit into a pastry, her fingers covered in powdered sugar.
“Twins are wild.” Eros leaned his elbows on the table, and I couldn’t help but notice Juliet stiffening next to me. Something was going on between her and Eros, but I hadn’t asked her about it. When she was ready, she would tell me.
“She’s practically jailbait.” Juliet threw a piece of her pastry at Eros.
“Hey.” Valik stood up and picked up the piece of pastry. “No wasting good food.” He swallowed it down and grabbed another piece.
Cian threw back his head and chuckled, the sound making my heart skip a beat. I looked around the table, my heart filled with joy. I wanted to take a picture right at this moment so that I would never forget what it was like to be surrounded by people I loved most in this world.
After hours of great food and delicious wine, Cian gave me a knowing look that had me squeezing my thighs together. As much fun as this night had been, I was ready for everyone to leave so I could ravish my man.
I winked at him, and he nodded, crossing his arms behind his head. Oh, yeah, everyone needed to get out now.
Later that night, we lay in the bathtub with my back against Cian’s chest. Brightly lit candles adorned every space and rose petals were sprinkled all around us. I sighed in utter happiness as he lathered my hair with conditioner.
“If you could have one superpower, what would it be?” he murmured.
I giggled, shaking my head. This was his favorite thing to do: lounge around asking silly questions until we were both laughing with tears streaming down our faces. “Hmm.” I tapped my lip. “Maybe teleporting. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with being stuck with a grumpy Valik during rush hour. You?”
His chest vibrated with laughter. “I think… telepathy.” The water was warm as he poured it over my head, getting the conditioner out. “Then perhaps I would finally know what’s running through that beautiful mind of yours.”
