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“Let’s get some food into you, Kitten.”
“Kitten?”
“Do you like it? I figure if we’re getting married, I should have a nickname for you.”
“Kitten is purr-fect.”
We stepped out of his room and into a tastefully decorated loft-style condo. I’d been so focused on getting to the bathroom earlier that I hadn’t taken it all in. The rest of the place looked just as swanky as the bathroom had, though it did have a lived-in bachelor feel.
“I don’t keep a lot of food on hand, but there should be eggs and bacon in the main kitchen,” he said when we were at the bottom of the stairs.
Main kitchen? Was there more than one?
Seeing the question on my face, he replied, “I share this penthouse with my brothers and their mates. This is my private area.” He gestured to a door. “The rest of it, including the main kitchen, is out there.”
I’d been wondering how he could afford such a nice place, especially working as a security guard. Darlington had gotten exponentially more expensive after The Wall fell. Even my tiny apartment now cost me just short of an arm and a leg. I couldn’t imagine how much a penthouse like this would cost.
He pushed open a door, and my jaw dropped as I followed him into the main area. He didn’t just share a penthouse with his brothers. they had the entire top floor of the building—two if you considered the lofted areas as a second floor.
The first things that caught my eye were the two giant bird of paradise plants framing the doors to the rooftop patio. I loved houseplants and had a bird of paradise myself in my tiny apartment, but it was just a baby compared to these two gorgeous and magnificent specimens. Of course, with the super high ceilings they got tons of light from the floor-to-ceiling arched windows.
Like in Gunnar’s area, the furniture and fixtures were done in dark woods, metal, granite, and leather—all except for the plush beige rugs in front of each large reclining couch. There were four couches in total, arranged in front of what looked like a mini home theatre system.
Suddenly, a yellow, orange, and green mass swooping down on me had me ducking for cover. I gawked at the bird when it landed on Gunnar’s outstretched arm. Only then did I notice the cage tucked away in the corner.
“Such a cutie! Such a cutie!” the bird squawked.
“Lillian, this is Chicken Nugget. Nugget, this is Lillian.”
Chapter 4
Gunnar
Itriedmybestto flip the eggs without breaking the yolk as Lillian ransacked the kitchen for what she considered proper coffee. She hadn’t considered the expired instant stuff she found at the back of the cabinets “real.” I usually went down to the coffee shop across the street for my caffeine fix, as did everyone else who lived here.
My brothers and I usually ordered delivery, but since Tansy and Shelby had started living here, we’d begun keeping the basics on hand, and I’d found eggs and bacon in the fridge, along with orange juice, grapefruit juice—Yuck! Who the hell didthatbelong to?—and some sandwich bread.
The door to Eamon’s suite opened, and Tansy stepped out. Nugget, who’d been playing with her toys on top of her cage, flew over to greet her witch and cuddle up in her hoodie.
“Hey, Gunnar. What’s the occasion? You never cook.” Then she noticed Lillian, who had stopped rummaging in the cupboard to poke her head over the counter.
“Ooh!” Tansy said, comprehension dawning.
Before I could do the honors she’d already made her way over to Lillian and was shaking her hand while Lillian introduced herself.
“I’m Lillian.”
My little kitten didn’t offer anymore, so I added, “We’re getting married.”
Tansy gasped, then grabbed Lillian’s left hand. The ring was still on her thumb, even though it was so big she had to keep her hand curled up so it didn’t fall off. We’d need to find something better later today.
“Oh my God, Gunnar, you could’ve at least gotten her something that fits!” Then she turned to Lillian. “I can’t believe he’s been hiding you from us all this time.” She spun back to me. “Was this why you disappeared on us yesterday?”
Lillian looked at me awkwardly, probably not sure what to say.
“It’s okay, Lillian. My brothers and their mates can know. Tell her.”
The two sat down at the table along with Nugget, and Lillian brought Tansy up to speed while I finished making brunch for two. It was almost noon; I’d let Lillian sleep in. I figured if she was getting wasted on a Thursday night, she wouldn’t have to work today. And sure enough, I found out this morning she’d lost her job.
