Page 48

After my shower, I head downstairs for some coffee, finding the kitchen empty. I pour a mug and wander down the hall to the rec room, where I find several of my brothers and their partners. Ghost and Phantom are on the couch playing a video game like they normally do, and that makes me smile, hoping that whatever was going on with them is over. Wraith is trying to teach Pax how to play chess and Specter and Carnage are playing cards while Colson and Rue chat quietly together.

Shadow walks in and taps my shoulder. “Good job last night.”

“It was a pleasure. Not much more enjoyable than taking out a dirty cop.”

“Only a pedophile is better,” Carnage says.

“Agreed.”

Shadow nods. “The client is very pleased. We’re getting a bonus that I’ll pass on to you and Boone.”

“Thanks, boss.”

“I’ll be going out in a little bit if you need me. Bellamy wants to take me to look at tile samples.”

I have to stifle my laughter, but Colson isn’t able to.

Shadow shakes his head. “I told him to do what he wanted but he insisted he needed my input for my en suite bathroom.”

“I would literally pay money to watch you picking out tiles,” Wraith says.

“Careful,” Specter warns. “He might make you go too.”

Shadow smirks. “Not a bad idea.”

Wraith’s eyes go wide. “Oh, uh, no can do. I’ve got… um…” He looks at Pax, who dissolves into laughter.

“Sorry, babe, I can’t save you on this one.”

Shadow drags his hand through his dark hair. “I’ll let you off the hook this time.”

“Phew.” Wraith grins.

This seems like a good time to shock them again.

“I’m having company over. Soon.”

Everyone falls silent and all eyes are on me.

“Company?” Carnage asks.

“Uh, yeah. Blush is coming over.”

Colson’s whole face lights up. “This is fucking awesome.”

“It’s not a big deal. We’re just hanging out and it was more convenient than his place.”

“Uh, yeah, ’cause he lives with three people and a baby,” Colson says.

“A baby?”

Colson nods. “Two brothers, a cousin, and the cousin’s baby.”

Oh, right. Not his baby.

“Just letting you guys know.”

“You gonna introduce him to us?” Ghost asks with a grin.