I turned to look at him. “About what?”

“My plans,” Marcus said. “We have to address this issue now. It takes precedence over everything.”

I nodded. “Yes, sir.”

I left the war room and headed toward Bret’s bedroom. I passed by Emily’s on the way and stopped mid-step to poke my head in on her. She was sleeping soundly and peacefully.

Seeing her made the tension melt. Somehow, she was going to be the key to everything working out. She had to be.

11

EMILY

I woke up earlier than I anticipated. Probably not much longer after the sunrise, judging by the soft light that filtered into my room. Even though I got a little more than a couple of hours of sleep, I felt fully rested… and much calmer. And I realized I couldn’t hold against the men their desire to keep me safe. They were only doing what they believed was right in order to protect me. Though I didn’t need protection, it was nice that they cared about me enough to provide it anyway.

I was too rough on them, and I was certain that me being back in their home was a lot to take in. So, as a way to smooth things over from our argument, I decided to make the men breakfast.

But first… a shower.

Thirty minutes later, I was clean and dressed and heading down to the kitchen to start on the feast I had planned. The castle was quiet as I moved. So quiet that my footsteps on the marble floor echoed. I figured the men were still sleeping.

The place was old but had many updates, such as the marble. It used to be all stone. The castle had belonged to Marcus’s family for generations, and each one had made improvements to the place.

Marcus’s improvements were the updated electricity and lights.

Even though I would have enjoyed seeing the castle in its original glory, I had always loved the place. Regardless of the changes throughout the years.

Once I entered the kitchen, I got started on cooking pancakes, eggs, bacon, and made a pot of coffee.

An hour later, the men started filing into the room, likely lured by the smell of breakfast. The thought made me giggle. I was still cooking bacon, and the aroma of the crispy meat mixed with that of the coffee made my mouth water.

“Whoa,” Jax said as he entered the room. “You’ve been busy.”

I turned around and smiled at him as he took a seat at the island. “Yep. But wait until you taste the everything. The work has been worth it.”

He took a seat at the island as I turned back around to flip the bacon.

Bret and Marcus entered the room. Marcus headed to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup before sitting next to Jax.

“Smells delicious,” he said, sounding a little groggy.

“Thank you,” I said. “Did you sleep well?”

He snorted. “Have to sleep in order to sleep well.”

I had arranged everything on the island so that the men could help themselves.

I pointed to the arrangement and said, “Dig in, anyway. I have more coming.”

“Thank you,” Jax said.

Marcus mumbled in agreement.

Bret leaned against the counter and eyed me suspiciously.

I met his gaze briefly and said, “What?”

A smile tugged on my lips.