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Excitement floods my body as I close up Orion Investigations. A lot has changed in the last year, but a few things are the same. Orion is a great boss, I love my job, and I’m still a badass hacker, only now, I use my powers to fight for justice. To help people who have been wronged find peace, something I wish my dad would have been able to find.
Do I think he’d be proud of me? Yeah, I think he would be.
I press my fingers to my heart, feeling grief, but it’s not the same as before. It doesn’t hurt like it used to. Now, when I think about my parents, the way they loved me, the way my dad gave me everything after Mom passed, all I feel is happiness. I was really lucky.
I love you guys. I send the little message to the sky before pivoting and eyeing Tony and Elliot, who are waiting next to the town car idling at the curb.
Tony pushes off the back of the car when he sees me, smoothing his shirt. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “Aw, Tony, are you going to make it?”
“He’ll be fine,” Elliot says as he opens the back door. “I’m just happy you can listen to him complain on the way home.”
“The privacy glass is meant for?—”
I interrupt Tony. “Elliot can put it up if he wants. You, in the car, now.”
Huffing, Tony glares at Elliot like he ratted him out, grumbles, and gets inside first. Elliot and I trade knowing looks before I follow. I settle into my seat, smirk at Tony, who looks like someone stole his favorite toy, and shake my head. He’s a good guy, but sometimes he’s a little dramatic.
MACE
Are you on the way home yet?
You tell me.
We both know he’s aware of exactly where I am. I look up at the camera to the left of Tony’s head and grin.
Hey there, gorgeous.
You’re such a stalker.
I’m blushing.
Such a pretty princess.
Watch it.
Biting my lip, I lock my phone and watch the city fly by as Elliot drives us home. My heart is nearly bursting at the seams when we pass through the gate of the Astor compound, and Mace is already waiting when we pull up in front of the house, a wicked smirk on his face that tells me tonight is going to be a long night.
He opens my door as soon as Elliot stops, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. How is it, after all these years together, that he still makes my heart race? Grabbing my hand, he helps me out of the car, hooks a finger under my chin, and steals a kiss.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Astor.”
***