Page 184

As soon as both coffees are ready, I take them and walk back to Thalia, setting the cups down on the table before taking my place beside her. I pull her gently closer, resting my arm along the back of her chair.

She folds into me without hesitation, instinctively seeking the space I’ve carved out for her—a quiet shelter from everything that’s about to come crashing in.

“So…” I begin, my tone calm, edged with a trace of irony. “Are you waiting for me to say something, or were those questions rhetorical?”

I let my gaze move slowly across the room, meeting each stunned expression one by one, holding it just long enough.

“Are you two together?” Sierra finally asks.

Of course it’s her.

By now, it’s painfully obvious to everyone that Sierra says exactly what’s on her mind, with absolutely no filter.

Her eyes are wide, her lips parted as she keeps blinking at us—back and forth between me and Thalia—waiting.

Waiting for confirmation.

“Yes,” I say simply. Direct. Uncomplicated.

What else is there to say?

They all know me. I don’t talk about my personal life more than necessary, and whatever exists between me and Thalia won’t become an exception.

On the other hand, I have no doubt they’ll pull an entire mountain of details out of her, because they’re her friends—and apparently, dragging out every microscopic piece of information is their favorite group activity.

Beside me, I feel Thalia’s breath catch, my answer clearly affecting her.

I just claimed her. Publicly. In front of my family, my brothers, her friends.

Isn’t that what we agree on?

Did she really expect me to hesitate?

The second my answer hits the air, Sierra starts bouncing in place, celebrating like an overexcited kid.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she chants, practically glowing. “It fucking worked,” she squeals, before laughing herself into Kai’s arms.

He catches her with a laugh, careful—while Nick watches the entire scene with razor-sharp focus.

You’d think that, since Kai’s his brother, Nick wouldn’t have a problem with it.

Wrong.

Completely wrong.

No one touches Sierra. Ever.

“What worked?” Thalia asks, pulling away from me.

Silence.

The guys exchange amused glances, something mischievous swimming between them, while Sierra turns toward Thalia wearing the most shamelessly satisfied grin, clearly thrilled with herself.

The house goes still, all attention moving straight to the woman next to me.

And then… everything in her freezes.

Her body locks, every muscle tensing at once, her expression shifting into pure shock as a piercing gasp escapes her, her hand flying to her mouth.