We’d barely left the bedroom for three days. Emerging only for sustenance, Nikolai and I were content to be wrapped up in each other. Nikolai had given Heather the week off, so we’d had the house entirely to ourselves and I had been loving every minute of it.
“I remember mentioning that I wanted your brothers around for a family night...” I began as I pulled on my socks and shoes. It was the first time I’d been fully dressed since we got home, but every movement had proved to be a challenge. Nikolai was still in bed, he hadn’t made any effort in our quest to get up.
He’d been proving to be the world's sexiest distraction. I loved it but I wish he’d stop and let me get ready.
At that moment he was trailing his fingers up and down my spine, through my shirt leaving behind a tingling trail in his wake. He hummed thoughtfully which told me all I needed to know. I stood suddenly and turned to face him with a stern expression. “Nikolai?!”
“I heard you. We will have a family night, how’s next month?” I knew he was only teasing, so I let him off and shook my head. He flashed me a devilish grin, one that I knew to be dangerously tempting. It was his lure and it worked to hook me every time. But not again, I had too many things to do to be distracted.
“Tonight.” I nodded before slipping my shoes. The room was a bit of a mess, so I started some light cleaning, picking up the discarded clothes that had been flung all over the room.
“Fine, I’ll give them a call,” Nik finally relented. I was glad I had my back turned, his pouty voice made me smile and bite my lip to contain my amusement.
I heard dialling and peeked over my shoulder to see he actually had his phone in his hand, pressed against his ear.
I left the bedroom and let my roaring stomach drag me to the kitchen. While waiting for the coffee maker, I went in search of Achilles. I was sure he would’ve been hungry. By the time I’d found and fed him the coffee pot was beeping at me and Nikolai was seated at the breakfast bar.
“You’re dressed.” Wow. I was impressed, and making fun of him. “We’ve got things to do, there is literally no food left in this house. And if we’re having your brothers over they’re going to demand feeding.”
“What you’re saying is… we need to go to the shops?” I nodded with a smile. Moving around the kitchen was natural, second nature and I’d missed it so. “Do you want me to ask Heather to come in for a few hours? I’m sure she’d be happy to come whip us up some dinner.”
“No. Don’t you dare. I want to cook.” I hadn’t done much of that lately and it was just another thing on the long list of things that I had missed.
“If you’re sure.” He rounded the island and captured me in his arms. A soft kiss was pressed to my hair before he was gone, almost as quick as he’d appeared. “I’ll meet you outside in the truck.”
I sighed as I watched him walk away. I knew the euphoria would surely wear off soon enough, but for now, I was wistfully happy. Everything was perfect.
“Oh my god! Just roll the fucking dice already,” I heard as I grabbed the pitcher of soda from the fridge. I was surprised to hear that it was Anastasia yelling and not my brothers. I laughed as I heard her continue to growl at someone.
“Zedd! Shut up. He’s going to hear you.” My head tilted as my curiosity began to grow.
What were they talking about?
Were they talking about me?
“Hey. I’m just trying to save your ass, not mine,” Anastasia sassed back. She must have been responding to my brother, I only wished I knew what he was saying to her.
“Looking a little red there Ana, why are you embarrassed? You know it’s only the truth.”
Argh. “I’m not embarrassed, you moron. I’m angry.” I heard a distinctive ‘OW’ and I decided to interrupt their conversation. I rounded the corner and entered the dining room to see that Ana was indeed more flushed than when I left.
I placed our drinks on the table and settled back in my seat to continue the game, but my mind couldn’t stop turning. I peeked at the three of them curiously, wondering what I was missing. Everything continued as normal and I began formulating a plan to corner one of my brothers. I knew that Drex would’ve been more likely to crack first out of the two but my plan was all about opportunity.
The night wasn’t quite the same without Finch’s mood to contend with. I could tell that I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed his missing presence, I think we all had.
As much as I was upset with him, I was worried about him too. As if reading my mind, Drex asked, “Has anybody seen or heard from you know who?”
“Not since the Bellucci estate,” I answered as a resounding hull fell upon us.
After the killing of Cassio Bellucci, Finch disappeared. He hadn’t said a word, just vanished. I didn’t know what was going through his mind but I hoped he sorted his shit out soon.
“I need the bathroom. Any of you steal my money and there’ll be hell to pay. I’m looking at you Zedd,” I chuckled as she got up, all the while pointing at Zedd with narrowed eyes. He gave her a deer caught in headlights look before she left the room. Finally, I saw my perfect opportunity.
“Can you believe her? I would never.”
“Liar,” Drex coughed. I laughed as they fought, they were so childish. But it always made for good entertainment.
“What were you talking about, before… when I was in the kitchen?” I leaned forwards
