Page 45 of Monstrosity

"How about we skip the rest of the movie and get you to bed?" I suggest.

"Will you tell me a story?"

"Of course."

Back in our room, I tuck her into the bottom bunk.

Florencia must still be watching the movie.

As I'm making up a story about a brave princess who rides motorcycles, I hear the door open.

Rio slips in quietly, pausing when he sees us.

"And the princess rode her sparkly motorcycle all the way to the castle," I continue, very aware of him watching us. "Where the handsome king was waiting with her favorite ice cream."

"What flavor?" Cali asks sleepily.

"Strawberry with rainbow sprinkles, of course."

"That'smyfavorite," she mumbles, eyes drooping.

"I know, baby. Sweet dreams."

She's asleep before I finish tucking her blanket around her. When I turn, Rio's looking at us with an expression that makes my heart skip.

"How long were you listening?" I ask softly.

"Long enough." He pulls me into the hallway, closing the door quietly behind us. "Dasha-mommy?"

I blush. "She just started calling me that. I didn't?—"

He cuts me off with a kiss that leaves me breathless.

When we break apart, he rests his forehead against mine. "Don't apologize. Hearing you with her... Christ, Dasha. Do you know what you do to me?"

"Hopefully, the same thing you do to me."

"Kirkja'snot over," he says reluctantly. "But I needed to see you. To see them. To remind myself what I'm fighting for."

"Is it bad?" I ask. "Whatever you're planning?"

"It's necessary," he says, which isn't really an answer. "Vanir cracked the laptop. We know more about their plans now."

"And?"

He hesitates, clearly debating how much to share. "We need to move fast. Hit them before they expect it. But first, we have to smooth things over with the Irish tomorrow. I’m going with the group to talk to them."

"About the warehouse that burned?"

"Yeah. Bembe's trying to start a war between us. Make us fight each other while he moves his product." His jaw tightens. "We're not going to let that happen."

"Rio!" Tor's voice carries down the hall. "Need you back in here, brother."

"Go," I tell him. "I'll wait up."

"Could be late."

"I'll still wait."