Page 90 of Danger Close

The hand on my nape traced down to my lower back.

“I’m not a child. I’m not the young man with stars in his eyes, nuts about a beautiful girl.”

He leaned forward, tracing his lips against my temple.

“I’m an old man, staring at a beautiful woman.” He kissed my cheek, his lips gentle. “Trying to stitch his family together.”

We both looked at our daughter, who’d stopped dancing to look at us, her mouth slightly parted.

Her groom was talking to someone in a suit, probably one of his relations that I had been introduced to, but could not remember.

“She doesn’t look pleased,” I said, quietly.

“Kids, eh?” Cobra said with a smirk. “Let’s get out of here, Mama?”

I blushed, when he took my hand in his. I nodded, the lump in my throat unable to hide the swell of emotion that threatened to take over me.

Helping me to my feet, he led me over to Trinity.

“Hey kiddo,” he said, impervious to our child’s suspicious expression. “Your Mom and I are going to leave you and the young people to your celebration. I’m going to get her to bed.”

“You’re going together?” Trinity said, then her eyes turned to me. “Charlotte said you could stay in the farmhouse if you like.”

The implication was clear. If I did not want to stay with Cobra, I was welcome to return to the guest room.

Cobra pulled me into his side, his hand around my waist. “That’s nice of her. Maybewe’lltake her up on that, and save ourselves a drive.”

Cobra slipped his jacket off, then wrapped it around my shoulders. Trinity looked at him like he’d grown a second head. I stared down at the warm garment and tugged it closed around me, taking in his scent.

“I know it’s only a short walk,” he purred. “But I don’t want you to get cold.”

Our daughter looked between the two of us. So much disapproval in her pretty face.

“Uh, don’t forget the bridal party’s brunch tomorrow,” she said, slowly.

“Oh fuuuuck,” Cobra slapped his forehead. “I’m sorry, kiddo. I set up an appointment I can’t miss. Can I take a rain check, and take you for breakfast later? Just us?”

“Sure.” Distrust still colored her words.

“But your mom can go.” Cobra nudged me with his shoulder.

Appalled, I immediately said, “No, I don’t think that’s necessa—”

“Yeah, okay,” Trinity said, silencing me with a look as if I’d stabbed her in the back. “We’ll take the truck.”

Chapter 41

Pajamas

Cobra

I didn’t want to drive back to the Vasiliev house. Call me lazy, but it was a much longer drive than the short walk to the farmhouse. She didn’t push me away. In fact, we walked together, as if we’d done it our entire lives.

Was this what home felt like? Walking through a brisk evening to a familiar dwelling?

I could come home to her every day, for the rest of my life.

“If we could live anywhere, where would it be?” I asked idly.