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Before we could continue, a light rap sounded from outside the door just as we heard Kasey. "For hell's sake, you're not knocking to see the principal, woman!"
The entrance opened wide as they entered. We'd have to remember to lock the doors for certain meetings now that she wandered our halls. Placing her hands on her hips, Kasey gave me a daring look to challenge her behavior. I couldn't because Emilia would see a side of me she wasn't ready for. First, we had to get her to agree to stay here.
"Thank you for showing Emilia the way, Kasey."
Emilia gave her friend an annoyed look. "For the record, she never knocked for our principal either. "
"That's how I caught him with his pants down while Amanda Sherwood blew him." She gave a cheeky grin with a saucy wink. "I think that was the quietest moment we ever got out of that cheerleader. It just took her being choked by a dick."
"Did you report it?" Draven looked affronted.
"Nah." She waved him away before plopping into a chair in the corner. "We were nearly eighteen, and I used it to help me pass my senior year with less effort."
So her moral compass didn't drive as straight as Emilia's. When Emilia saw our surprise, she interjected again. "To be fair, Kasey did work two jobs after school."
"I'm more than okay with them hearing my set of rules, Mills." Kasey turned her head my way before delivering her next line. "It'll remind them that two can play ball when it comes to veering off the straight and narrow."
"Message received." Walking around my desk, I let myself appear confident in this meeting even though my insides felt like rubber being heated. "Emilia, we just wanted to see if you've given staying here more thought."
Her eyes widened with how direct I'd been. She could take several days, but I'd keep touching base with her to see where she sided. "I, um...I-"
"She's staying," Kasey answered for her friend.
Emilia shot her a look, rolling her shoulders. "I plan to stay, but I want to make it clear that I can leave at any time, my family and friends will be safe, and I can work over my laptop."
"She's forgetting all the wine consumption we want as well," Kasey tacked on there. The woman could out drink any man I knew, but I thought better than saying it out loud.
"We can agree to those things," Draven hastily responded right before I could.
"But we do have a few provisions of our own," I jumped in. "You are not a prisoner here, but if you do go out, you'll be required to take a guard for safety measures. Our names are not used lightly in these parts."
"You will also need to tell one of us you plan to go, so I am aware," Costas added by the door, knowing his work required to discern her locations.
"I can do that," she answered him. "And thank you for the dress, by the way."
Costas froze. For the first time in a long time, he didn't know how to respond to something. Kindness wasn't a luxury in our life, so hers felt unnerving. Stepping in, he needed a distraction. "And if there's anything else that comes up you need us to hear and change, we will."
"But we should also let you know that Tony and I will be gone later this week. We have a work thing we have to leave for. While we're gone, Costas will stay with you. He'll make sure every need you have is met, so don't be afraid to voice your needs to him." Draven added, remembering we only had a few days before we needed to embark on our quest to cut out another's tongue. Millie turned toward Costas, seeing the brute in the corner and bowing her chin.
"Thank you," she murmured, flushing a beautiful shade of red. It made me wonder if it was for the dress again or for his assistance to watch over her. "Is there anything you need me to do while I'm here or while you're gone? I can cook and clean and-"
Draven held up his hand. "You are a guest, Sunshine. Please enjoy your time here as such. We have all the staffing our home requires. If you find yourself idle, there is a place I know you'll enjoy, if you don't mind me showing you."
Ah, I knew where this surprise led, but he needed to be the one to give it to her. Costas opened the door at her nod for the group to follow Draven. I let my lover take charge and give the woman her wildest dreams because he'd been conditioned to over-shower those he loved from lacking the feeling after his mother's passing. This room would also stir up those memories for him, so I gave him some space to have this moment with her. Everyone wanted to tag along, but I silently tapped Kasey's arm to stop her. Costas stood behind to hover, ensuring my safety.
She nearly snapped at me, so my hand rushed to snatch her gaping mouth. The woman would keep giving me a run for my money, but I knew she'd hear me. "Let them have this moment. It'll be hard for Draven to gift Emilia something that was his mother's."
Settling down, she still jerked out of my hold as the three of us let the two wander down the corridor together. Never had I been bothered with him taking Emilia somewhere, and it told me something was different about all of this, about her.
***
Draven
Trying to keep myself upright, I held my breath for nearly the whole walk upstairs to the second floor. The balcony along the edge made a square around the entry where our office sat right below. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Tony arguing with Kasey about something as the woman placed her hands on her hips. She'd been giving everyone a run for their money in this compound, but she'd also entertained many of the men.
My thoughts were focusing on her to keep away from the reality I was about to face with Millie. Nearing the door, I inhaled once before slowly letting it out. The room itself wouldn't be much, but the importance of it would be everything. Out of all the things I could give Millie, this seemed to be the only thing my mind could compare to be worthy enough for her. Nothing sat at her level besides my mother and her love of reading.
Holding the handle of the double door for too long, Millie began to take notice of my insecurity. Her fingers laced around my tightened bicep because my body stiffened. "Are you alright?"
