55. Chloe
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
CHLOE
NOW
Iwince as I move around the kitchen with an ease I’ve missed.
This used to be my haven, and I didn’t realize how much I had been craving normality.
It’s been weeks since I’ve cooked a real meal, and after everything these men have done for me, I want to do something for them, even if that’s just making them pancakes because that’s all I can make with the ingredients in the pantry.
I slept wedged between Ronan and Ryker again, their warmth making it almost impossible to drag myself out of bed, but my screaming bladder was enough to get me up.
The cabin is still warm from the fire we had burning last night as I whisk the batter and wait for the pan to heat up.
Up until recently, I’d made this same breakfast every day for years. It was John’s favorite, and Camilla has always had a sweet tooth, making it the perfect option to satisfy everyone.
I’ve barely had a chance to miss those simple mornings with just the three of us around the table.
Speaking to her last night helped settle some of the lingering worries after her kidnapping, but I won’t feel completely at ease until I see that she’s recovering for myself.
The problem is, until we figure out who is hunting us, we’re stuck here in this cabin.
A door opens across from me, and I glance up just in time to meet icy blue pools before he averts them.
“Good morning,” I say evenly, turning toward the pan to melt some butter before giving the batter one last whisk.
“Morning,” he mutters.
“There’s coffee in the pot, and pancakes will be ready shortly.”
Having my back to him makes the hair at the back of my neck stand on end, because although I would like to think he’s not going to hurt me, I know better than to look away from the most dangerous person in the room.
His footsteps fill the otherwise quiet cabin, and my chest tightens with each step he takes closer.
A mug slides across the counter, and I glance over at him as the first pancakes begin to bubble, only to find him watching me with too much intensity.
Refusing to be the first to look away for once, I hold his gaze for long seconds, neither of us saying anything before he finally looks away to pour his coffee.
I busy myself flipping the pancakes in the pan, a soft smirk tugging at my lips.
At this point I have to believe he doesn’t want me dead. Not when he helped Ronan escape with me and then proceeded to take a bullet for me.
But I also never thought he would break our friendship the way he did, and he didn’t hesitate to do that.
“I can change the dressing on your arm today if you want,” I offer, dropping a fresh nob of butter into the pan and sliding fresh pancakes across the counter to him.
“I’ve got it.”
“Okay.”
The plate disappears, and a moment later I hear it being placed on the dining table where all the toppings are already lined up.
There wasn’t much, but some syrup and butter is all anyone really needs on their pancakes.
“You used to be a shit cook,” he comments. “Remember that time you almost poisoned Ronan and me?”
I roll my eyes. “I did not almost poison you. Don’t be so dramatic.”
“What else would you call serving us chicken that was still raw in the middle?” He chuckles around a mouthful of pancakes, and for a moment, I’m struck by how handsome he is.
After years of his cruelty, I’d all but forgotten how good-looking he is when he smiles.
“It wasn’t that bad,” I argue, shaking myself off.
It doesn’t matter that he’s hot. He’s an asshole who has gone out of his way to make my life miserable since I was fifteen and has been directly responsible for some of the worst moments of my life.
Allowing myself to fall back into his trap will only get me hurt, and I’ve felt enough pain at the hands of Lombardi men for a hundred lifetimes.
I serve up another round of pancakes and deliberate what to do with them. I thought the others would be up by now, and I have no doubt that Ryker will realize I’m no longer sleeping beside him any second now, but for now I shut off the gas and make my way toward the table.
Putting two seats between us, I drop down into the chair and reach for the butter, only for tattooed fingers to wrap around mine.
My eyes flash up to Damon’s, my heart beating too hard in my chest.
It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I remind my body what an asshole he is, I’m no less attracted to him.
I swallow heavily but don’t move. I barely breathe as I wait for him to make his next move. But it never comes. His hand remains wrapped around mine for long seconds as he stares at me with an intensity that’s always made me forget how to speak.
A door opening behind him breaks the spell, and his touch is gone, leaving me clutching the butter for dear life.
Ryker’s golden eyes settle on mine, and his shoulders drop in relief. I don’t know where he thought I was, but clearly waking up without me worried him.
Without a word, he crosses the room in a few long strides and drops into a crouch in front of me. His long fingers wrap around my throat, holding me in place as he drops a brutal kiss to my lips.
A soft moan slips out because this is the kind of morning kiss I can get around.
“New rule, Siren. Wake me up if you’re going to get out of bed without me, I just about had a heart attack when I reached for you and was met by Ronan’s hairy chest.”
I scoff at the visual he’s painting. “I didn’t want to wake you up. You need the extra sleep.”
“I need to know you’re safe more than I need sleep, or food, or air, Chloe. Can you just do this for me, please?”
How am I supposed to deny him when he says things like that?
I nod once, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, Ry. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll wake you up if I’m not going to come back to bed.”
“That’s not what I said.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not waking you up if I’m just getting up to pee.”
“Yes, you are.”
“You are unbelievably overprotective,” I sigh.
“That’s what happens when you get yourself kidnapped twice.”
I can’t really argue with that, so I drop another kiss to his lips and slip out of the chair.
“You have these pancakes, and I’ll put some more on. I made way too much batter, so there’s plenty for everyone.”
His hands wrap around my waist, depositing me back into the chair I was in just moments ago. “I’ll make the rest, Siren.”
He’s gone before I can argue, but the stupid smile that tugs at my lips stays there through every bite of my pancakes.