Page 36

“I do.” I stood, stretching after so long crouched in front of the fire. “And I can take it. But Liam’s going to take it in the teeth.” My voice reached him—I made sure of it.

Kate wandered closer to us and hovered at the edges. She looked expectant, and Noah went to her. They fit together in a way that looked familiar to me. The subconscious ease of two bodies that had found their match. Something so instinctual, it couldn’t be denied. Every couple in this room had that.

“Daniel.” Kate addressed the man, and he turned. “I was wondering if they ever found her?”

I was opening my mouth to ask who, but Daniel didn’t need to. His face went dark. “No,” he sighed. “It’s like she vanished completely.”

Noah looked troubled as well. “Well, we definitely got her out of the cages. Hopefully she’s all right.”

Oh. The woman who had been imprisoned alongside Kate. I hadn’t realized she had disappeared.

“If she ever turns up, please let me know.” Kate hugged Noah a little tighter. “I think about her a lot.”

“Will do.”

From across the room, there was a chime of a glass. “All right, everyone,” Grace called. “Time to eat all this food.”

Little name cards had been placed at the extended table, Lena’s and mine next to each other. I caught her before she sat and pulled out her chair. A faint blush rose to her cheeks. It made me want to kiss the hell out of her all over again. But the kind of kiss I wanted to give her wasn’t one for in front of people.

That would come later, when I took her home.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

I grabbed her hand under the table. “You’re all right?”

“Better than all right. I’m perfect.”

“Good.” I couldn’t help myself. Leaning over, I kissed her cheek quickly. She smelled like sugar.

“Get a room,” Liam said, and I glared at him before raising a single eyebrow and looking down at the other end of the table where Mara sat.

His eyes went wide, and I fought the laugh building in my chest. He would behave now. I wouldn’t embarrass him, but right now, he didn’t need to know that.

Grace set the turkey down on the table, and we descended into cheery madness.

Chapter 13

Lena

“I don’t think I can eat another bite,” I said, leaning my head on Jude’s shoulder. “Pie is canceled.”

A chorus of protests rose from around the table, and I laughed. “I’m kidding. Of course pie isn’t canceled, though I’m seriously not sure if I’ll be able to eat any.”

“That won’t be a problem for most of us, I think.” Jude turned his head and kissed my hair. “You know, the things you send us in the week barely make it through three days.”

I gasped, turning to him. “Why didn’t you say something? I could send more.”

Daniel laughed. “Don’t worry, Lena. We need a few days without the sugar.”

Rolling my eyes, I took a small sip of my wine. I’d been making this glass last. I wasn’t sure what Jude had planned for later, but like hell was I getting so drunk I couldn’t take part. “Like you guys have any problem burning a few calories between the ranch and the gym back there.”

“True,” Lucas said. “I think all of us will need it after this.”

I stood, pushing back my chair and going to where the pies sat on the counter. I’d probably made too many, but then, the leftovers could stay here. I knew the guys would eat them, no matter what they said now.

“Ladies first,” I called. “Who wants what?”

“I would kill for some apple.” Evie got up to help me. “I’ve been dreaming about this pie. Plus, it’s cute.”