Page 61 of Lure

“Yes, really. We’re fine,” Lunchbox said into the silence before cracking some eggs to get them going. “Just tired and want to get this debrief on so we can get shit sorted out.”

The silence thickened as I pulled the shots and it grew even harsher when I retrieved the milk from the fridge. I caught Bones’ speculative look.

“Maybe we should ask you,” I said, easily enough. “Problems?”

He shook his head. “You three are fighting over Grace.”

“Hey,” Alphabet said, pointing bacon at him. “Point of order, I am not fighting anyone. Neither are they.”

“That’s why Voodoo has a bruise and Lunchbox’s knuckles are red.” The blunt assessment was on the nose. “If you’re not fighting over her, what are you fighting about?”

The hiss of the steamer rose filled the quiet. Then Lunchbox flipped the eggs. “We were having a disagreement over eggs.”

“Eggs.” The level of doubt Bones managed to infuse into that single syllable almost made me laugh. Cause, seriously, eggs?

“Yep,” Lunchbox said. “It’s settled. So don’t worry about it.”

“You want coffee?” I asked Bones as I finished prepping Grace’s. It was a damn miracle she hadn’t walked into this stupid conversation yet.

“Sure, as long as I don’t have to debateeggswith you.”

Not missing a beat, I nodded. “I’ll let you off—this time. No guarantees for tomorrow.”

There was a snort of laughter from Alphabet and a huff from Lunchbox. With Grace’s coffee ready, I made Bones’ before I started on mine. Lunchbox bumped my shoulder and I glanced at him.

The apology was there and I just lifted my chin. We were good. He nodded, then there was the sound of a door closing again. This time, the light steps that followed told me Grace was on her way down. The shift in the room was palpable.

When I turned, she paused in the entryway to the kitchen and she swept her gaze over all of us before coming to me. “Problems?”

The distinct echo of Bones’ earlier question was almost funny.

“Not precisely,” Bones said. “However, I would like to have a discussion with these three before we debrief with you fully.”

“She can have breakfast first,” I said, carrying her coffee over to her.

“It’s okay,” Grace said, taking the coffee and smiling up at me. “I’ll just take Goblin outside for a few minutes, then come back in.” She rose up on her tip toes and I dipped my head so she could brush a kiss to my jaw. “Thank you.”

“Grace,” Alphabet said. “Voodoo’s right, you don’t have to go anywhere. Whatever Bones needs can wait.”

“Maybe,” she said, though her smile was undiminished. “But I actually don’t mind giving you the time. And I like going out with Goblin.” Something passed between the two and I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

After a moment, Alphabet nodded then murmured something to Goblin. The dog rose and bounded over to Grace. Good boy.

“I can start your breakfast while we’re talking,” Lunchbox said. “What do you want?”

“Right now, I just want coffee. Then maybe some yogurt and fruit. But coffee first.” Her lips twitched at Lunchbox’s fierce frown.

“What about some fried potatoes or bacon? I have some ham I could slice and fry too…”

She squeezed my arm lightly then brushed her hand against Alphabet’s shoulder on her way to Lunchbox. His whole posture shifted at her approach.

“Let me have the coffee, then maybe the yogurt and fruit. If I’m still hungry afterward, we can talk then, okay?”

Everything about his posture said he wanted to argue, but he only blew out a breath and nodded. “Fine. You need more than just yogurt and fruit.”

“So you’ve said,” she told him with a grin. “Also, if I haven’t said it. Welcome home. Alphabet and Goblin took very good care of me and I tried to take care of them while you were gone.”

“She did a great job,” Alphabet volunteered. “Notice, we didn’t burn down the kitchen or anything.”

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