Page 68 of The Fortunate Ones
Dominic, Ari, and Gideon were all seated, as well as Dominic’s boyfriend, Jamie, and Jamie’s brother, Bailey. There was light chatter as we all got settled and passed around the dishes. Maverick’s brother teased him, while Skye was chatting up my dad. My mom seemed to get Jamie, who was usually pretty quiet around this many people, to smile and participate in the conversation.
I was settled between Luca and Maverick, which was perfect. Once thanks were given and it was time for food, I served Luca and Mav before me. It was autopilot. Something I tried to do often, but since my accident and the near invasion of our property, I had been doing it more consistently. Little chores like that settled me.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Luca said with a soft smile as I set his plate in front of him.
“You’re welcome.” The Sir was implied, but we tried not to slip around it in front of our families.
Once everyone was served, I settled back, appreciating this moment. It was something I’d never take advantage of again. The last few years had been both the best and most intense ever. I’d found the loves of my life, found a place where I finally felt like I belonged. But I’d also never been in more danger, and there was constant underlying worry, not so much for myself but for my family, for everyone I loved. But today, I refused to let my anxiety get the better of me. We were safe. We weredoing important work, saving countless lives while helping to systematically unravel the world’s biggest secret organization. I was proud to be part of it, and even prouder to spend the day with my loved ones.
We still had a lot of work to do, a lot of shit that needed to be solved, but that could wait. Today, I was going to stuff myself with all the sides and be happy.
EPILOGUE ONE
BROOKS
They were planning something.Maverick had had this glint in his eye all day whenever I’d run into him, and Luca had been mysteriously “busy.” When I’d tried to sweet-talk the information out of Wes—the weak link out of the Doms—he’d told me that Luca was finalizing all the travel information for the job we were starting later this week. But that was bullshit because IknewDiego had gotten it all squared away already. I’d been annoying him in his office while he’d done it.
Since they were all being tight-lipped, and Skye was either in the dark or playing along, there wasn’t much I could do but wait. Which was fiiiiiine. Whatever they were concocting, it would be delicious and sexy and I’d likely be floating in subspace for hours after. I could wait and be surprised. Maybe.
I was too much going on to be worried about whatever the Dommy types had up their sleeves anyway. Skye and I were leaving for a job and would be gone for a week or two. We’d gotten a lead on David Verlice’s right-hand man, who’d essentially vanished after David had turned up dead.
So before we left, there was laundry, then a visit to the armory. I triple-checked passports, visas, and that the cash was all ready to go, listening to a smutty vampire, wolf shifter,demon, and priest romance through my headphones while I worked. The demon was so hot and low-key reminded me of Maverick. I wondered if he’d be up for the roleplay.
Once that was done, I volunteered to drop Matty and Everett off at Beckett and Riley’s place. The danger to them was still present, though everything had been mostly quiet. Everett was using a fake name and always had protection. We wanted him to be able to leave the house, but we had to be selective about where he went. Ri and Beckett’s apartment was like Fort Knox, though, and Leo would stay on guard the whole time, so it was nearly as safe as the estate.
I lingered at their place for a while. Partly because I loved spending time with Beck and Ri and also because I was paranoid and overprotective and hated leaving them. Leo had to practically push me out the door, and he only managed that when he tattled on me to Maverick and I got a text to get my ass back to the house.
I had been too distracted with my tasks and had forgotten how weird everyone had been acting. As soon as I walked back in, though, I was immediately suspicious again. My Spidey sense was tingling. The house was too fucking quiet which meant two things. Something was wrong or my men were laying a trap for me.
I paused in the entranceway, my hand already curling around the knife Luca had given me years ago. Logically, I understood I wasn’t in danger. I had my phone set up with all the security alerts. If someone had broken in, I would’ve known long before now. No, whatever Luca and Maverick had been up to all day, I had a feeling I was about to find out.
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out without looking, not wanting to let my guard down.
It was a text to the group chat:One, two, we’re coming for you.
I rolled my eyes even as my excitement grew. It sounded like Skye. He was the only one who would be that cheesy. Did that mean he’d switch sides today, leaving me as the only target? I wiggled my arms, loosening up and letting the excitement build. We hadn’t had a chance to play like this in ages and I was ready.
My eyes scanned the foyer as I stayed light on my feet. They could come for me from three different directions, since only my back was protected. The question was, did I make my stand or try to run, getting some space and leverage for the fight I was about to give them?
It depended on where they planned on taking me. The logical place was the playroom, which was on this floor. So trying to make a run upstairs might be the best idea. They would have to work harder to get me back where they wanted me. But Maverick was not only a sadistic fuck, but a brilliant strategist. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’d lead me to believe going upstairs was the best bet, only for him to drag me to the closet bedroom.
The silence wore on. It didn’t take me long to realize they were waiting for me to make a move. Damn it! They freaking knew I’d never have the patience to wait them out. Ugh. Okay, okay. Kitchen then. There was an exit to get outside, plus a second staircase that led upstairs. It was also the farthest from the playroom, and there were plenty of weapons and hiding places along the way.
I let the knife fall back into my pocket. That was one of our rules during a chase like this: no weapons that could seriously hurt one of us. Knife play was fun, but it had to be done in a more controlled environment, where everyone would be safe and there was less risk of an accidental injury.
I eyed the cameras up in the rafters. They were watching me. I was sure of that.
I gave them the finger and the brattiest grin I could manage. “Come and get me, Sirs.”
Then I took off.
I wasn’t quiet. There was no point when I knew they could see me. So instead, I went the opposite way, being as loud and destructive as possible, creating as many obstacles as I could manage.
I took my jacket off and left it in the middle of the hallway. The backpack I had on was next. Chairs were tossed down, blocking the path. I jumped over them and took off my shirt, hanging it over the ugly-looking statue thing that Luca was obsessed with. Might as well give them a little show.
I heard them now, so I stopped playing around and ran. Footsteps were coming for me from at least three different directions. They were being much louder than necessary. They must want me to hear them because those men knew how to be silent. That was the downside of playing these kinds of games with former special ops. I never had a chance of escaping. But that wasn’t the point. I wanted to get caught. Making it difficult for them was part of the fun.
I paused once I made it into the kitchen. My best bet now would be to hide. I could try to make a run up the stairs, but there was at least one person unaccounted for, and that was assuming Diego wasn’t participating, which I wouldn’t. He wouldn’t chase me, probably, but I wouldn’t put it past him to give the others a helping hand. Maybe I should go outside? There was plenty of space to run and hide there.
