Page 20 of Daring Her Vampires (Embracing The Bond #12)
Chapter Twelve
Sally
“ Y ou’re welcome.” I swallow harshly. “I want to give you that.”
“You are,” Atlas says.
“You have,” Luca whispers. “We have always had each other. Even through the fights, we never left for long, but we’ve never had a place to call home.
The world has changed, and we’ve never gotten used to our role in it.
Others like us have come and gone from our lives.
We haven’t loved anyone enough to bring them with us.
” The timer goes off, but I ignore it. “We’ve survived on our love as siblings, blood, and takeout. ”
“This dinner may be to convince your friends to help us,” Atlas says.
“But it’s the first family dinner, a true dinner, we have had together since our parents died.
It means something to us.” He stares into my eyes, his gaze intense and unwavering.
“Thanks, Little Bunny.” I blink a few times to clear my vision.
“It won’t be the last,” I promise, and he nods.
The grease pops, and I jerk. “Shit. It’s almost done.
” I wave the towel toward my face as I move them around.
“Luca, take the potatoes out. You’re going to help now that you have me turned on and made me weepy at the same time.
” He doesn’t say anything as he follows directions. “Atlas, come here.”
“What do you need?” He walks around the counter and stands beside me.
“That’s a loaded question,” I tease, bumping him with my hip. “Grab that pan. I’m going to show you how to make smashed potatoes.”
“I’m yours to command,” he says.
“Boyfriend, you shouldn’t have said that.” I turn down the chicken, grab butter and a bowl. “It is potatoes, butter, and parmesan. You will want it every night after you taste it.”
“I’m sure we will,” Luca says, passing me the potatoes.
“Now, watch what I do,” I instruct, and demonstrate the procedure of making delicious smashed potatoes.
I move out of the way and motion them forward.
“Press with the cup and cover them with melted butter and the cheese.” I’m turning into an emotional mess.
The heat must be messing with me. I’m a hard woman.
I can be soft when I need to be or when the women in the family need my support, but this is getting ridiculous.
Warmth spreads through my chest as I watch my two vampire mates cook.
“You aren’t doing it right,” Atlas says.
“Fuck, I am too,” Luca growls.
“It doesn’t have to be perfect.” I squeeze in between them.
“There is no right way. All the ingredients are the same. It doesn’t matter what it looks like.
” We fill the pan and I slip it into the oven.
“We already cooked the potatoes, so we just need to warm them up and melt the cheese. Luca, grab me a large tray.” I point to the cupboard.
It’s nice to have tall mates so I don’t have to climb on the counter to get it.
“You get the plates.” I glance at Atlas.
“Allie is here,” Luca says right before she knocks on the door.
“Come in,” I call.
“Holy shit,” she gasps as she enters. “It smells amazing in here.”
“We helped cook,” Luca says.
“Nuh-uh,” she says, her eyes wide.
“They did.” I look at them tenderly. In any relationship, you have to know when to give them a win. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving.” She bounces over. “So, who’s coming?” She asks, leaning over the counter.
“Bishop, a dragon shifter, and River, the wolf.”
“They were the first ones in the Games, right?” she asks.
“Yes. I understand why they don’t like witches,” I say, grabbing silverware.
“Why did the witch do it? Why help the bad guys?” she asks.
“Serenity told me that she was forced to. Gill was threatening someone she loved. I don’t know who.” Atlas takes the plates to the table, and I set out the utensils behind him. I’m assuming they will bring their mates.
“Do you know much about witches?” Luca asks.
“Some. Their powers are different from shifters. Our power comes from the animal inside us. Witches are born with the ability to do magic, and they develop their skills as they age. They don’t like attention and don’t advertise their gifts.
They are more human than any of us. Without their magic, they would age and die as a human.
You definitely don’t want to be on their bad side,” I warn, pointing a fork at Allie.
“With just an intention in their words, they can wield magic.”
“Have they used magic on you?” Allie asks, grinning.
“That is a story for another time,” I mumble, refusing to share.
Talking about being with another man in front of my boyfriends is a big no-no.
I smell the dragons, and thankfully I’m saved by the knock on the door.
Hustling across the room, I swing it wide.
“Penny.” I pull her as close as her rounded belly will allow. “How’s the baby?”
“Kicking the shit out of me,” she complains, and I step back. “Go ahead. I know you want to feel,” she sighs.
“I do.” I rub my hands together before lightly touching her stomach.
“I demanded to come with,” Penny says as I drop my hand. “I’m sick of being stuck in the house.”
“You’re always welcome.” I wave my arm at the couch. “Have a seat. The food is almost ready.” Bishop and Laken follow her. “River is coming too,” I mention, closing the door.
“Is everyone coming?” Bishop asks.
“No.” He tilts his head, and I rush on. “You remember Allie.”
“Of course.” Penny smiles.
“Atlas and Luca helped cook,” I say, avoiding Laken’s suspicious gaze. The men nod at each other silently. As much as I love my family, I’ve never invited them over for a meal. We always end up going out. I know they are waiting for my reason for inviting them.
“Sexy rabbit,” River yells as he’s walking up the stairs. Atlas growls low and watches me as I go to the door.
“Really?” I glare as I let them in.
“Yes, really.” River grins, and I melt. I can’t ever stay annoyed with the wolf for long.
“I came to control River so your vampires don’t hurt him,” Kerian says.
“I came because you are an amazing cook,” Ava says.
“Come in.” Shutting the door after them, I see Allie and my boyfriends standing at the counter, tensely watching. “Where’s Revel?” The wolves adopted a little girl since Ava is unable to have biological children.
“She wanted to see the baby, so Serenity took her to Elijah and Saylor’s,” Ava says.
“Serenity? You talked to her?” I ask, smiling tightly.
“Of course,” she replies with a tilt of her head. “Why?”
“No reason,” I say quickly. “How is she?”
“Good.” She shares a look with Kerian.
“Are we going to eat?” River asks. I took my attention off the wolf. He’s sitting at the table, holding his utensils, looking around expectantly.
“Yes,” I laugh. I’m grateful he broke some of the tension.
“Everyone, take a seat.” Hurrying to the kitchen, I turn off the stove and grab a potholder.
I’m startled as Atlas presses his hand to my back.
I sigh when he kisses my temple, leaving his lips against my skin, helping me calm down.
I’ve been the one reassuring them about our guest's reactions. I didn’t realize my emotions were mixed, guessing what they would say. “Thanks,” I whisper.
“I’m always here for you,” he whispers against my skin before pulling back.
“Let me get it.” He takes the mitt out of my hand and pushes on my stomach.
I turn and notice Luca and Laken are watching us, and everyone else is talking.
Luca is smiling slightly, and Laken holds my eyes for a moment before looking away.
The chatter continues as everyone settles around the table, and we place the food in the middle.
Plates are filled, and River entertains everyone with a story while the first bites are taken.
Atlas and Luca sit on either side of me, and Allie sits directly across from us.
Penny engages her in conversation, and the room fills with laughter.
I don’t pay attention to any of the words.
The nerves in my stomach increase. These people mean everything to me, and even though involving the witch was my idea, I’m having second thoughts.
I don’t ever want to cause my family any pain.
Life has been difficult enough for all of us, and we finally found our home, which has given us peace.
Bishop and Laken were torn apart for years because of the death of their family, and Laken’s need for vengeance.
When Bishop was taken by Gill, his pride was severely damaged, and finding his way back to his brother and meeting Penny healed him.
The brothers can share their emotions and memories with each other.
After they reunited, Laken saw and felt the torture Bishop endured.
River is wild, funny, and quirky. He’s been hiding his pain from his past behind a big smile and a sense of humor.
When he came back to town to help Kerian, his uncle started the Games again, bringing the nightmares of the past to the present.
Ava had to endure what River lived for years, and I know it devastated the wolf.
They finally found their peace with their mate and daughter.
I don’t want to fuck it up. We could find another way. If Fredrick comes here, he won’t get Allie with all of us protecting her. I think he knows that. He hides because if he came into the light, we would kill him.
“Sally.” I blink and realize I’ve been staring at my food without taking a bite.
“Yeah?” I focus on Laken, and everyone quiets. Luca cups my knee and gives me a squeeze.
“What’s going on? I know this isn’t just about having a meal. You would have invited everyone,” Laken says. I lick my lips and try to find the words.
“We need a favor,” Atlas says, sweetly attempting to help me.
“A favor?” Bishop asks.