Chapter 6 – Alexander #2
After Marcus’s last mission had gone wrong, he’d faced a court-martial for how he’d gone after his commanding officer.
Adrian, a well-decorated soldier, had interceded on his behalf and smoothed things over, allowing Marcus to be honorably discharged.
Marcus came home and threw himself into law school as his way of coping.
He battled injustice and lies every day now, trying to fill the void that losing those three men on the mission had carved out in him.
But it wasn’t until Evelyn had joined us that I had started to see the life come back to his eyes.
She challenged him in all the best ways.
I knew these last several weeks had been rocky between the two of them, but now that his head was out of his ass, he was going to make it up to her.
“Did you expect more of a fight, or did you want a fight with her?” Adrian asked, offering Marcus a beer with a knowing smirk.
“And what are you expecting when she realizes she doesn’t have a coffeemaker?” Marcus shot back.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and I coughed to bring their attention to them.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Evelyn realizes Adrian removed the coffeemaker from the kitchen and took it to his apartment.
He was determined to get her off coffee and onto tea.
I didn’t blame him, but I was glad I wasn’t on the frontlines for that battle.
The timer dinged, and I pulled the lasagna and garlic bread out of the oven. Just in time.
“You know you’re cheating with the lasagna,” Evelyn said softly behind me.
I straightened with the pan in my hand and turned to face her. I gave her a wink as I side-stepped around her to put the lasagna on the table.
“We’ll do anything to keep our girlfriend happy,” I threw over my shoulder.
“And safe,” Marcus added.
I turned in time to see her roll her eyes, but a blush danced on her cheekbones. “Shall we sit?” I gestured towards the table.
Adrian refilled her glass, while Marcus pulled out her chair.
Sebastian slid into the seat next to her while Adrian took her other side.
Marcus sat next to Adrian, and I sat across from Evelyn at the head of the table.
Everyone was quiet as I dished out the food and we started eating. It had been a busy day at the office.
“Before I forget,” Evelyn mumbled around a bite of food, swallowing it before continuing.
“I’m going to send an email to Lacey tomorrow.
I’m sure we’re going to get Citadel employees applying to work at SDS because Citadel is imploding, but we’re going to want to make sure we do extra background checks on them to make sure they aren’t plants from the Unholy Trinity. ”
The side of my mouth tilted up at the nickname Liam had given the three Citadel leaders. “That’s a good idea. Copy me on it, please?”
“Of course.” She nodded and went back to eating.
“Sooooo…” Sebastian said. “Nothing to say about the new digs?”
I groaned as Sebastian intentionally poked at Evelyn.
She rolled her eyes. “Will anything I say change your mind about me staying here?”
Although Sebastian asked the question, she directed her response to Marcus. He paused, then shook his head.
“Then what’s the point?”
“I don’t know. I kind of thought you were going to fight more with Marcus, as that seems to be y’all’s foreplay.” Sebastian wiggled his eyebrows at her.
“If it weren’t a crime against the universe, I would throw this at you.” She gestured at him with her forkful of lasagna. Her eyes flashed to Marcus, though, and I could see the curve in her lips. She enjoyed their banter probably as much as he did, by the way he grinned at her.
“Sebastian, let her eat,” I broke in before he could reply. We were pushing our luck already enough tonight.
Sebastian rolled his eyes but nodded. I didn’t miss Evelyn sticking her tongue out at him, and from Adrian’s choked laughter, he didn’t either.
Evelyn had really been coming out of her shell the last several weeks, and I loved every glimpse of her personality that we got to see shining out from behind the mask she always used to seem to wear around us.
Everyone was hungry enough that the conversation died down.
It was going to be a long week of dealing with Citadel and the FIA while also researching everything we could about the Kingfisher in our limited spare time.
After dinner, Adrian and Marcus cleaned up.
Sebastian refilled Evelyn’s wine, and we migrated over to the couch.
Sebastian flicked on a show that Evelyn had confessed to liking.
I placed a set of key fobs down on the coffee table in front of Evelyn.
“This one’s for our apartment upstairs. You’ll need to use this one for the elevator.
” I pointed out each as I explained them to her.
“This one is for Adrian’s apartment, and this set is for your apartment.
” I paused and let her take it in. “I know we kind of forced you into this, but we still want this to be your home and your safe space.”
Evelyn’s eyes shone in the soft light, and she scooped up the keys. “Thank you,” she said, giving me that soft smile I had come to crave from her.
Adrian and Marcus joined us on the couch, and we watched an episode of the show before Evelyn started to yawn.
I stood, and Sebastian shut off the TV. Sebastian gathered her up in a big hug, tilted her head back and kissed her deeply, then whispered good night.
She stood there stunned as he released her, and Adrian laughed when he tugged her into his arms. He whispered something in her ear that had her blushing, then hugged her and kissed her on the forehead.
He pushed her in Marcus’s direction, and she stood awkwardly in front of Marcus for a few moments.
He tugged her into his arms slowly, giving her a chance to pull away, but she just melted into him.
He hugged her tightly and whispered something in her ear as well before kissing her hair.
They headed out, and I pulled Evelyn into my arms until her back was against my chest.
“Want me to make you a cup of tea while you get ready for bed? Do you want to take a shower? Did Sebastian show you where everything is?”
“A cup of tea sounds amazing,” she said softly. “No, and yes to the other two.”
I smiled down at her, kissing her forehead before nudging her towards the hallway. I brewed her a cup of chamomile tea, hoping it would help her sleep in a new place tonight. Once it was finished brewing, I walked down the hallway to the master bedroom and knocked on the partially closed door.
“Come in,” she called.
She had traded her professional clothing for a pair of silky sleep shorts and a large shirt that I recognized as one of Adrian’s. “Where did you all even find a bed this size?” she asked, gesturing at the ridiculously oversized bed.
It was an Alaskan King, stretching nine feet by nine feet, and had been a bitch to get down the hallway, but we had managed it.
It made the oversized modern master suite feel cozy, and it was covered in a peacock green comforter and a sheet set that matched her walls at the manor.
A touch of home that Sebastian had insisted on.
“Sebastian,” I said simply. I was pretty sure Sebastian had ordered it weeks ago, but I didn’t tell her that.
She took the cup of tea from me and sipped it. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she moaned softly. I ignored the tent in the front of my sweatpants as I sat next to her.
“Did you want to sleep alone tonight?” I was content to give her space if she wanted it. We had pushed her enough today. But I also wanted to keep her nightmares away.
Warmth filled me when she didn’t even hesitate. “Stay.”