“I’m so proud of you.” I snuggled in close to him, smiling when he dropped a kiss to my head. “Go relax while I finish dinner.”
Briar sat at the table and rubbed the back of his neck. He looked exhausted.
Steps sounded from the bar area, the boots heavy on the floorboards.
“What’s for dinner?” Callum asked as he came around the corner, the dimple in his cheek giving him an endearing boyishness. Quincy walked in behind him.
“Rabbit stew,” I said. “It should be ready in about fifteen more minutes.”
“Rabbit stew?” Callum groaned under his breath. “My favorite.” He then snatched a banana nut muffin from the platter and took a bite.
“Any muffins left?” Maddox sat at the table, placing his arm on the back of Briar’s chair. I adored the small touches they gave each other. Proof that their bond had deepened.
Little zaps of happiness exploded in my chest for another reason too. My sexy captain had developed a love for muffins. All flavors of them. Me being his favorite, of course.
“Um.” I glanced at the empty platter on the counter, then to the bite-riddled muffin in Callum’s hand. “That was the last one.”
“I’ll kill him.” Maddox jumped up from his chair.
Callum ran over and grabbed Quincy, using him as a shield.
“You think that can stop me?” Maddox neared them. And something about his deep tone and the slightly sadistic look in his eyes turned me the fuck on.
“The cavalry has arrived,” another voice said before Baden entered the kitchen with Duke at his side.
“And we brought this,” Duke said, holding a wicker basket in his hand. A red cloth covered the top.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“I’m not sure.” Duke placed it on the counter. “We did a quick perimeter check of the cottage before coming in, as usual, and it was sitting on the back patio. I thought you may have forgotten it outside.”
“Nope. It’s not mine.” I stepped closer. “What’s in it?”
Maddox placed his hand on my chest to stop me. “Let me look first.”
My protective captain.
“Okay, but maybe you should take Briar’s protective charm with you,” I said, watching as he approached it. “What if a demon is inside?”
“A demon?” Briar asked. “In a wicker basket?”
“Could be an imp,” Callum said, his brown eyes alight with humor. “It may jump out and try to devour your soul.”
“Thanks, Cal,” I muttered. “That’s just another thing I’ll have nightmares about.”
“Evan could fight it off,” Duke said, stepping around Quincy. He flexed his biceps, then did a pose that reminded me of a body builder. “He is small but brave.”
“Yes. So brave,” I said. “I scream at my own shadow.”
“Because your shadow is mighty as well.”
Maddox yanked back the red cloth, and I grabbed Briar’s arm with a small gasp, expecting a creepy little soul-sucking creature to jump out and kill all of us.
“What is it?” I squeaked, fingertips digging into Briar’s arm. The guy was a saint. He patted my hand and didn’t complain as I grabbed on to him for dear life.
Maddox tilted his head and moved his hand around inside the basket. “Apples.”
“Apples?” I relaxed. “Well, that’s not scary.”
