Page 63 of Sunrise

“Sorry,” he says, when I slink bleary-eyed downstairs and climb onto a barstool. “Did I wake you? I tried to be quiet.”

“No, the beeping car woke me.” My shirt hangs off one shoulder and my hair is a rat’s nest. “I don’t think I’ve slept that hard in a while.” Scrubbing my face, I yawn. “My head is pounding.”

“Here.” He slides over a mug of coffee. “Not as good as Dmitri makes, but caffeine is caffeine.”

Dmitridoesmake the best coffee. I have no clue how he does it, but it’s always incredibly rich and smooth. Vault’s is pretty good too. “Mmm, thank you.”

“I made scrambled eggs and avocado toast.” Hescratches his head, looking a little awkward. “If Knox was here, he’d have a whole ass spread, but I’m a shit cook, so…”

“It’s perfect.” I take the plate, genuinely grateful that he’s done this. “You take good care of me, Vault.”

He doesn’t look at me. “I uh...” The man starts wiping down my already very clean counter. “I… have something for you.”

The mug almost slips out of my hand when he rests a small black box on the counter, next to the avocado toast.

I donotaccept gifts from my subs.

“What is it?”

“Open it and find out.” He hides his lopsided smile behind his coffee cup.

My mouth opens to reject whatever this is, but the words don’t come out. He’s been trying so hard lately to “not be a robot” and is finally starting to show his emotions. If I shoot down whatever might be in this box, it could derail his progress.

Do not take gifts from subs.

Do not bring them to your house.

Do not fall in love with them.

I’m breaking so many of my cardinal rules.

But this is Vault, I argue with myself. I trust him.

Holding my breath, I open it, nearly choking on the emotions that cram in my throat when I lift the lid. It’s a small gold chain with a sun pendant. Simple and sweet.

“It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He cautiously walks around my breakfast bar and kisses my temple.

“Will you help me put it on?”

“Absolutely.”

He pulls the necklace out and messes with the clasp. I gather my hair for him and move it out of the way. The chain is delicate. I barely notice it on my neck, which is nice. I don’t wear a lot of jewelry because it always eventually annoys me.

He steps back to admire me. “Looks good, Sunrise.”

“One day,” I flash him a sleepy smile, “you’re going to have to tell me what sunrise means.”

He strokes my cheek, his expression changing from happy to sad. “No, baby. That’s one thing I hope I never have to do.”

Chapter 20

Vault

I didn’t stay longer than necessary at Sophie’s. After giving her that necklace, I figured it was better to leave than stay and be up her ass all day. Before I left, she mentioned that Knox wants us over for breakfast tomorrow morning. I’m heading there now instead.

This entire week has been wonky as fuck. My mind is a battle zone and holding Sophie all night made it worse. She’d jump up from a dead sleep, gasping, then fall back onto her pillow, still out like a light. That’s not normal. Not to mention all the locks and shit around her house. I mean, I appreciate the extra precaution, because I want my girl as safe as possible, but damn. Three deadbolts on her front door? Plus, a security system and an extra lock on her bedroom? That’s a lot, which, in my experience, means she’s been through something bad.

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