Page 107 of The Reaper's Vice

8 months later…

“Come on, everyone! Dinner’s on the table!”

I look toward Orion, matching shit-eating grins on our faces as we spring up from the sofa. The heavenly smells wafting in from the kitchen for the past few hours have nearly driven me mad, but now, it’s finally time—it’s time for Thanksgiving motherfucking dinner.

Sloane lets out a squeal, jumping off the back of the couch. She rushes over, wrapping her tiny hand in mine as she jumps about. “Dinners ready! Dinners ready!”

“So it is.” I give her a bright smile, then turn my gaze toward the little black-haired boy still sitting on the sofa. “You coming, Hadrian?”

Bright silver eyes blink at me and Sloane, and a flush creeps up his neck as he takes in the bright smile on the little girl's face. Hadrian is Kain and Lillith’s son, and he’s a few months older than Sloane—and also, I’m fairly certain, in love with her. But he’s only nine, so he doesn’t know quite what to do with the spunky little hellion. I’ve been trying to push the two of them together, but try as I might, Sloane keeps overpowering the poor boy.

“Come on, Hadrian!” She turns to him with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. “Getup! You’re gonna make my mom mad!”

At her order, the little boy jumps from the couch, silent as he creeps over to Sloane’s side. She sighs, rolling her eyes as she grabs his hand as well and pulls us both toward the kitchen. Orion chuckles behind us, following at our heels as we all make our way to the table.

“Ah! There you are!” Hadrian’s mother, Lillith, gives us a big smile. Lillith is easily one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen, with her bright blue eyes and shocking black hair. She has a timeless sort of beauty about her, and her sweet little face has only seems to grow more attractive as she ages.

Lillith pushes her hair behind her ear and turns to grab the tall stack of plates lying on the counter. She steps toward us, her arms straining with the weight of the porcelain. “Hadrian, Sloane, I need you to set the table, please.”

“I thought dinner was ready!” Sloane drops my hand with a pout, but it doesn’t escape me how she keeps Hadrian’s clenched tightly in her.Maybe thereishope for them…

Lillith’s laugh tinkles across the room. “Don’t worry, I’m just heating up the gravy. By the time you put those plates out, it’ll be ready to be served!”

Sloane lets out a sigh, finally dropping Hadrian’s hand to grab the plates Lillith holds out. Just before she can grab them, Hadrian’s face scrunches in a frown, and he nudges Sloane with his shoulder, pushing her out of the way so he can grab the plates.

Once the stack is in his arms, he turns and gives her a gap-toothed grin. “Let me. You’re too pretty to carry things.”

Lillith covers her mouth to hold in her laugh as Sloane scrunches up her nose, trying to seem unimpressed despite the bright red of her cheeks. “I’m strong! I can do it!”

She reaches for the plates, but Hadrian jumps back out of the way, shaking his head. “No. I’ll carry them.”

Sloane bares her teeth, looking like she’s ready to take a swing when Brett swoops into the room. “And what do we have here? Sloane, you should thank Hadrian for being so courteous! Not all young men are that kind.”

Hadrian blushes, dropping his eyes and looking anywhere but at Sloane. “It—it’s no big deal…”

Sloane stamps her foot. “He won’t let me carry the plates! He thinks I’m too weak to do it!”

Hadrian starts to shake his head, eyes wide with mortification, but luckily, Brett steps in. She crouches by Sloane, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. “He doesn’t think you’re too weak, sweetheart. I’m sure Hadrianknowsyou can carry them, but he wants to help you anyway, because he’s your friend. Isn’t that right, Hadrian?”

The little boy nods, relief flashing in his silver eyes. “Yes! I just wanted to help you Sloane! Because… because…” His brows furrow. “Because I just do!”

I bite my lip to suppress my smile. “I think that’s as good a reason as any.”

Sloane jerks her eyes to mine, lips pressed together in an angry little pout. Her eyes seem to screamwhose side are you on, lady?

Before she can say anything, Brett presses her hand against Sloane’s back, pushing her toward the dining room. “Go on, sweetie. Go help Hadrian set out the plates.”

Hadrian gives us all a big grin, waiting for Sloane to step to his side before he turns for the dining room. They devolve into hushed whispers, and I can only presume they’re figuring out the best way to split up the work.

Lillith lets out a big sigh, her eyes shining with emotion as she stares after the two retreating kids. “They’re just too damn cute together.”

“I know it.” Brett nudges Lillith with her shoulder. The two women give each other matching grins, a motherly secret shared between them. “It’ll only be a matter of time, you know.”

“Oh, don’t I know it.” Lillith tilts her eyes to the ceiling. “Poor Hadrian is wrapped around her little finger.”

“To be fair,” Orion pipes up. “I think we’reallwrapped around Sloane’s finger.”

The four of us fall into laughter, matching grins spread around our little circle.

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