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Spencer’s gaze roamed over my healed injuries. “Ah, that’s better. I wouldn’t have been able to stomach my meal if I had to stare at your battered face the whole time.”
I rolled my eyes and tipped my chin at her getup. “Where are you off to tonight?”
“Do you like it? Looks much better on me than the mannequin in the window. These are real gems stitched into the fabric.”
Emerson chuckled. “Did you take it straight off the dummy, or pay this time?”
“The mannequin looked about my size. Plus, the shop assistant was rude. Serves her right.” Spencer poked out her tongue. “I wouldn’t worry, she’ll be searching for a long-haired blonde with striking blue eyes, wearing an oversized leather jacket riding a motorbike.”
Emerson’s chuckle cut short, those same blue eyes now narrowed on the redhead. “You better be joking, Spence. I’m at Hangman’s Clinic tomorrow. I don’t want to worry about cops breathing down my ass.”
“Oh, hush Meek. Believe it or not, I don’t actually want to look like you.” Spencer’s gaze then flicked to me. “You either.”
My head fell back and a laugh escaped my throat. Emerson smiled into her glass.
Tanner ignored our bickering, continuing with his meal. We were grateful to have him back after the long week, his guidance and support a significant part of our family dynamic.
“How’s your father?” I asked.
He finished his mouthful and chased the food down with Emerson’s whiskey. “He’s having difficulties with the new recruits. They’re not as resilient as they used to be.” His smoky brown eyes lit with amusement as they bounced between us.
Emerson refilled his glass. “To compare is unfair. We had prior training…and we were more than motivated after Chase.”
Spencer sniggered. “Speak for yourself. I was the best, and Uncle is just now realising.”
“Best at what?” I baited. “Meek beat you for the assessment in combat, and I beat you in weapons.”
Spencer’s cheeks blazed red, her fingers twitching around her knife. “No one can school me on infiltration and undercover jobs.”
“It’s kind of forfeit when your Variant lets you change appearance, Spence. Of course you’re not going to get caught,” Emerson droned sarcastically.
And that’s all she needed.
Spencer bolted from her chair straight over the cluttered bench, dishes and food flying in all directions.
Tanner wrapped a muscular arm around her waist as his other hand continued to shovel food into his mouth. I shook my head and continued my meal.
“It doesn’t matter. I beat you in everything,” he said, wrestling Spencer back into her seat. “All of you rely too heavily on your Variants. Apparently, I need to humble the three of you.”
I groaned in unison with my sisters at his usual speech. Spencer finally gave up the struggle, not a hair out of place, her make up as immaculate as when I first walked in. If I hadn’t seen her turn savage right in front of me, I never would have believed she was capable of it.
“Try to heal without your Variant now, Miss Righteous,” Spencer said, grinning at the small scratch under Emerson’s chin, who didn’t escape completely unscathed.
Emerson double-checked the time. “I have to go, or I’ll be late for the race. Update me tomorrow?” she asked Tanner. He spared a nod and she pressed a quick kiss to his hair. “Happy to have you back, bro. Someone has to control this demon.”
We all chuckled except the demon herself, who narrowed her penetrating green eyes.
Emerson shrugged an oversized leather jacket over her biker gear, flipped her golden hair into a high ponytail and evaded Spencer’s swipe as she danced around the scattered mess over the floor.
Spencer pushed back. “I better get going as well.”
“Uh-uh, demon lady,” I said. “Get your ass back here and clean this shit up.”
“And ruin my dress?” she asked, pinching at her gemmed gown.
Emerson giggled from the door. “Should have thought about that before you went all savage. I cooked the damn thing, the least you could do is eat properly.”
Spencer pinned a loose potato at her head, Emerson conveniently slipping through the exit at the last second.
