Page 7

Crew

T he day before a new job is always the hardest. I’m a creature of habit, and the enemy of habit is change. Truthfully though, the change was long overdue. I’ve only now worked up the gall to do it.

Now, staring at Viserion feels like it will be the last time. I built a name here, a reputation. The blooming cherry blossoms and sage green gardens come into view as I rev my bike and pull up the driveway. I cut the engine, shifting my weight as I kick the stand back and tug my helmet off.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been a guest here- and even longer since I’ve felt the need to knock on the front door. It’s only a few moments before the door opens and a brunette appears.

Her green eyes gleam devilishly as she props a hip against the doorframe. “Long time, no see, Stranger. You look like shit.”

Charlotte Benenati doesn’t miss a beat. It’s been two months since we’ve seen each other, and I’d be a fool to forget that the last time, she was practically chained to a hospital bed. The aftermath of a vicious fight with her mother. Skar and I spent months looking for her after she left last year, and when we finally found her, I was half-convinced she wouldn’t come back.

The memory of it leaves me conflicted. After all, I’d been considering leaving Viserion for a while before everything happened. But her leaving was the final push.

I glance at Charlotte again. Now, there’s a soft glow to her, her eyes are full of life, and the gauntness that used to plague her has filled out. She’s the picture of health, and I smile at the sight. I’ve always had a soft spot for her. I’m glad to see that she’s finally… good.

Skar appears behind her, hand finding her waist. She grins, leaning back to look at him. “You didn’t tell me he was coming.” He grumbles something to her softly, to which she shakes her head.

“It was a surprise,” I vow, but I know she’s never been one for surprises.

Her eyes float over my shoulder just as a car pulls up the lot. The car door closes, and her smile falls, eyes flashing.

Speaking of, that would be Taylor.

“You brought friends.”

“Play nice,” Skar murmurs, opening the door wider to allow me inside.

“I am nice,” she argues, but as I duck my head and step inside, I’m too busy taking it all in again to bother listening to Skar’s sarcastic reply.

The same checkered marble floors greet me like before. The same portraits hang in every wing. It all seems foreign now. I skim the necklace beneath my shirt, usually glad for the comfort it brings. Instead, I find none.

Taylor Bishop stands at 5’9” but he’s still a mass of a man. Years of military training have honed him into something of a hulk. He’s dark-haired, burly, tattooed, and I’ve never met a man as honest. We shared the same squad back in the army, and now we co-own a company together.

He shakes hands with Skar as Charlotte crosses one ankle over the other and assesses him from afar…

Most people would squirm under a look like that, but part of the reason Taylor and I get along so well is because not much phases him. His steady demeanor doesn’t budge. Much.

“Military?” Charlotte asks.

Amusement has the lines by his eyes crinkling in a guarded smile. “Army.”

“Why’d you leave?”

Taylor crosses his hands behind his back, the only sign that her line of questioning is getting to him. His smile remains polite. “I decided to look for better things.”

“Better things?” she prods, and I smile.

“Char…” My voice is a mild warning.

Her eyes narrow for all of a moment before she claps, seemingly having made up her mind. “How do you feel about pizza for lunch, Taylor?”

Taylor glances toward Skar who is watching the scene unfold with mild amusement. But Taylor eventually smiles. “Pizza sounds great.”

“Wonderful,” Charlotte chirps before disappearing into the kitchen.

Taylor shakes my hand and pulls me into a hug, and I do the same with Skar once we’re all inside.

“How are you feeling about the new job?” Skar asks as we travel toward the kitchen. He already knows how I feel about the matter, which is why I assume the question isn’t for me.

“Part of me is feeling nervous. My wife is definitely anxious about it. But we’re mostly excited,” Taylor answers as the kitchen island comes into view.

Char’s hands are covered in flour and pizza dough.

It’s as Taylor and I sit that I realize Skar’s dress shirt is rolled to his forearms. His slacks are covered in flour too. It’s been ages since I’ve seen him cook, and he casts me a knowing look as he saddles up behind his wife and sprinkles more flour over the counter.

“Is that enough?” he whispers.

“For now.” She bumps his chest with a shoulder, smiling without looking up.

Skar eyes me out of his peripheral, and I know it’s because I’m practically itching with impatience. My knee bounces beneath the kitchen island, another nasty habit I can’t seem to shake. But he doesn’t comment on it.

Instead, Skar glances at Taylor, his usual demeanor falling into place. “So, tomorrow’s the day. I heard you’re both going to be living part time at the penthouse. Aspen house fell through?”

Charlotte tenses, and I know the mention of Olivia is painful for her. From what I’ve heard, they haven’t spoken since Charlotte came back. But we move a few things into Olivia’s apartment later today, and I plan on installing some tech. After dinner later, it should be smooth sailing.

“Job will be fairly easy.” Taylor shrugs. “It’s just about finding a routine. Crew and I will trade off for now. We’ll see how it goes.”

Routine .

I’ll be glad when we both finally find one.

“How are you feeling about it?” Charlotte glances over the tubs of sliced veggies, meats, and cheeses she’s taken out of the fridge.

Her question is well-intentioned, but it also hints at the fact that everyone here knows how difficult the change is for me.

It makes me resent the part of myself that needs structure. Rules. Monotony. To a point, at least. I can blame the untreated ADHD or chronic night terrors all I want. While no day at this job has ever looked the same, at least I know what to expect from it.

“It’ll be good,” I say, determination flooding through me. It isn’t a lie. Because I don’t know what I’ll do if it’s not.

“You always have a place here if things don’t pan out,” Skar adds from beside her.

She swats him gently, eyes widening. “Don’t tell him that.” She twists toward me again. “You do not have a job here anymore. Josie’s been doing great.”

Not having a job here has nothing to do with Josie- my second in command when I was here at Viserion- and everything to do with the fact that Char knows I’m worried about working for Harvey.

I smile, teasing, “Good to know you have my back, Char.”

“I do,” she narrows Skar a knowing look. “Which is why the new job will be good. You won’t need a back-up here.”

“Who’s the optimist now?” I reflect back the words she said to me just months ago.

Her eyes focus on the food at-hand. “There’s enough optimism to go around.”

“How’s Aleks?” I switch gears.

Aleksander is Skar’s younger brother. He was a pain in my ass while I was here. Always sneaking around or staying out at all hours of the night. But he’s a good kid. It seems like he’s finally growing into himself after a rough couple of years.

“He’s been busy. New girlfriend or something.” Skar waves the question off.

I didn’t know Aleks was seeing anyone, but he has never been one to share things freely. As far as I know, things between him and Skar have been easier. They’ve been adjusting to working together at the family company, Omenin, and I’m sure that hasn’t been easy. I forget that being the most powerful family in the realm comes with a laundry list of responsibilities.

“I don’t think it’s serious,” Char mumbles as she finishes adorning the pizza dough with a thin layer of sauce and cheese. She slides it towards Taylor and I, along with the other toppings. “Have at it.”

I’m not picky, so I push it toward him because I know he’s a bit more particular. He adds a colorful allotment of veggies before I glance back up. “He’s been adjusting to work alright?”

Skar shrugs. “He’s working closely with me on a deal lately. With your new client, actually. Did you know Harvey’s looking to expand his firm?”

I raise a brow. I did a thorough background check before I agreed to work with him. I know more dirt about him than I should, but that doesn’t mean I’ve paid attention to the kind of business deals he’s been making. Maybe I should.

“I’m not trying to step on toes,” Skar says, holding up his hands as a white flag. “I’ve known the Hughes for a long time. Timing is just a coincidence.”

I believe him, but the idea of them working together still gives me pause.

Clean slate , I remind myself.

“What do you think of Harvey?” Taylor asks.

Skar huffs a laugh. “Have you met him?”

“The man’s got a lot of energy.”

“I was hesitant to do business with him at first, but I’m feeling better about it. He seems… driven.”

“Driven, energetic. Practically synonyms,” Taylor laughs.

Charlotte grabs the assembled pizzas and pops them in the oven before dusting her hands on her apron. “Do me a favor. Please take the work-talk out of the kitchen.”

Taylor tsks, voice dripping with non-nonchalance. “No can do. I try not to owe anyone favors.”

I smirk, shaking my head- and not just because Charlotte mockingly shoves her husband again. The favors thing is an ongoing joke between Taylor and I. I’ve never liked owing people, so anytime either of us does something for the other, we’re quick to repay it.

Skar plants a kiss on her cheek. “I promised no work-talk.”

“What trouble are you getting into these days?” I ask her instead.

“No trouble,” she states. “I have been enjoying a perfectly unadventurous few months at home.”

“Not true,” Skar counters.

“Working at the bar doesn’t count,” she defends, and I smile as they bicker back and forth a bit before the oven dings, signaling the pizza’s ready. Not even a second later, Charlotte’s phone rings, and she quickly digs the pizzas out before dismissing herself. “Just a few. It’s Aleks.”

She disappears into the foyer, and Skar makes quick work of slicing and dividing the food among plates. I cast a sneaky glance to make sure Char’s not nearby before turning toward Skar. “How’s she really doing?”

“Her abusive mother is dead, her dad’s gone, you’re working for her best friend, and I’m not home enough.” He shrugs, dumping our plates in front of us. “It’s not great. It’s not bad either though.”

Taylor assesses us with wide eyes as he considers just how much drama there is in this dynamic. To tell the truth, it’s more than I’d like. But I wouldn’t give it up if I had the choice.

“Wow,” he deadpans.

“Yeah.” I shovel a piping hot slice of pizza into my mouth, and we make quick work of eating until Charlotte returns, face wiped clean of emotion.

My back goes rigid.

“What is it?” Skar prods and she shakes her head.

When she doesn’t answer, he stands, but she shakes her head again, laughing to herself in disbelief. “Aleks is getting married.”