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He nodded, and she followed Sofie.
Archer grinned at me. “Congratulations, baby.”
Hugging him tight, I put the side of my face to his, relishing being this close to him again. “Don’t congratulate me yet.”
“Your paintings should never be hidden away. More people deserve to see them. They’re beautiful.”
I flushed, looking down at my hands. “Thank you.”
“Promise you’ll call her today?”
“Promise.”
We took our coffees to the front porch, sitting down on the two chairs Everleigh had placed out there only yesterday. They were made of heavy wood, and huge fluffy cushions covered the seats and backs. I sat down and instantly decided I’d have my coffee out here every day from now on.
Everleigh kept adding little things around the house, and I loved discovering the random trinkets, decorations, and furniture.
We sat in companionable silence until we finished our coffee. If I didn’t hurry up, I’d be late. Leaning over, I sank my hands into Archer’s thick hair and kissed him. “I have to take a shower and get ready for work.”
A car drove up, stopping in front of us. I recognized Carter’s mop of blond hair. He jumped out with a grin. “Hello, lovebirds.”
Archer nodded at his friend. “Hey, Carter.”
“I have to talk to you.” Carter’s eyes blazed with excitement, and he looked like he’d just met Santa.
I didn’t want to intrude and turned to go inside, but Archer caught my hand, holding on. His forehead was furrowed, a deep line between his brows. “Does it have anything to do with Thea?”
Carter dropped into the seat I’d recently vacated with a satisfied groan. “Sure does.” He moved until he was comfortable. “I’m glad you stayed last night. Meant I didn’t have to sleep on the couch again. Damn uncomfortable and way too short.”
Carter had been staying with me for most of the time over the last few weeks, except a few hours a day when someone else took over. Usually in the evening when I was at home.
Archer tugged on my hand and guided me onto his uninjured leg. “Please tell me you got a lead on Mikhail.”
Carter’s eyes twinkled. “I have one better. Aleksándr, the big boss himself, assured us that he has no more business with William. Besides, he has bigger things to worry about. He knows we’re coming for him.”
Archer’s gaze collided with mine. His eyes were clear, his face relaxed once again. Arching a brow, I tilted my head, waiting for him to say something. He didn’t make me wait long.
“You’re safe.” He framed my face with his hands. “It’s over.”
Tears formed in my eyes, and Archer wiped them off when a few escaped. I threw my arms around him. “No more looking over my shoulder? No more bodyguard?”
He placed a kiss to my neck, and a pleasant shiver went through my body. “Nope. Now it’s just us.”
A throat clearing caused me to sit back up. Carter was still sprawled in the chair, looking entirely too comfortable. “Well, and me for a few more minutes. And why are you trying to get rid of me already? You didn’t even offer me a drink. Rude.”
Archer ignored him and adjusted me on his leg. “How do we know he’s not just going to come back once things calm down?”
“Freya. Because hurting Locked Security hurts Freya as well. And her brothers wouldn’t let anyone harm a hair on her body. They’ll be able to keep the Russians in check.”
Archer held me closer. “I’m going to buy Freya a shipping container full of little sweaters if she promises to stay with Gunner.”
Carter chuckled at my puzzled expression. “Gunner wouldn’t be pleased if you fed her tiny sweater addiction. Her bunny can only wear so many of the things before he dies of a heatstroke.”
I looked at Archer with furrowed brows. “She has a bunny that wears sweaters?”
He kissed my scrunched-up forehead. “When we go back to Chicago, I’ll introduce you. You’ll love her.”
Carter stood up. “I’m heading back to Chicago this afternoon. I have another job to get to.”
