Page 107 of Gluttony
This was the world Tony was fighting for. One where people could come back from their mistakes, instead of being persecuted for them. He’d get back to acting one day, but for now, this was perfect.
“Not to be rude, but how long do we have to wait for your surprise?” Bailey asked.
“You cold?” He inspected her outfit. Maybe her thin cardigan wasn’t warm enough. He probably should have told her to bring a coat when they’d left his place. “You want my jacket?”
He was about to shrug out of his, but she stopped him. “No. I’m okay. I just hate surprises.”
He lifted his brow. “But it’s okay for you to give them?”
She grinned, straightened and gestured excitedly with her hands. “You’re going to love it. But I can’t show it to you until your surprise is done.”
“So, we are at an impasse.” He whistled a Wild West stand-off tune.
She rolled her eyes. “We are not. Obviously, you need to get your dramatic urges out more, because that was all wrong.”
“Objection.” He patted his chest. “I am not dramatic.”
“Good Lord, save me now. Right. Anyway, how long do we have to wait?” She squirmed and snuggled back into him.
“Just a few more minutes.” He checked his watch and then glanced at the darkening sky. “Almost time.”
A sound on the porch roof made Bailey jolt, but Tony put a steadying hand on her arm. “It’s okay. It’s the surprise.”
Two-seconds later, someone cursed above the roof. Something thudded. And then a shadow dropped from the porch roof to the steps below, landing quietly. Then a second shadow lowered, and a third. Three in Deadly Seven uniforms.
It was Evan, Griffin and Sloan, all with their hoods up, and scarfs over their faces.
Bailey jumped up. “I don’t understand. Is everything okay?”
A smile tickled Tony’s lips. “It’s fine. They’re here to give the kids a self-defense demo. As the Deadly Seven.”
Bailey’s eyes bugged out of her head. She darted a glance back to Tony. “Really?”
He nodded. “Every time I’ve been here, someone has mentioned them, so I thought why not have them come down. And after the attack, I’ve been thinking about keeping this place protected. Even if the demo fails, word will get around that we’re—ahem—they’rekeeping a special eye on the place.”
“It’s a wonderful idea. I’ll go in and make sure they’re all ready.” She stopped just before she opened the door to the house. “Do you want to… you know, dress up too?”
“Dress up?” he quipped with a grin, standing up too.
“You know what I mean.” She waved at his family.
“No,” he replied with absolute certainty. “I like being on this side of the show for once.”
Bailey’s gaze softened. She kissed him on the cheek and then she darted indoors.
He stood there watching the door for a minute, smiling dumbly, so in love with her, and then he turned to his family and jogged down the steps. “Thanks for coming.”
“It’s a great idea,” Griffin answered, his voice low and modified.
Evan took in the house, eyes dancing over the structure. “Nice place. Kind of old school cool.”
Sloan’s eyes crinkled around the edges, and Tony could tell she wanted to say something snarky, but gloriously kept it to herself. She focused on Tony. “You joining us after? We’re going deep into the south-side and then back to base to plan the infiltration of you-know-where to get you-know-who back.”
Daisy. His heart swelled. He’d been itching to get her back after having to leave her in the sewer. “Hell yeah, I’ll be in for that.” He put his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath. It felt good to be asked. “But probably much later. Apparently Bailey has a surprise for me. So”—he waved his communicator watch—“I’ll find out where you are and come join later.”
“Ooh. Tony and Bailey, kissing in a tree,” she sang and then gestured toward the house.
“Don’t think it’s that kind of surprise.” He gave a deprecating laugh. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the kids.”
