Chapter 24
Massimo
T he media room smells like fresh leather and popcorn. I dim the lights, setting them just low enough to feel like a proper theater but soft enough for comfort. Laurent is already sprawled across half the sectional like a cat in the sun, remote in hand, flipping through movie options. Sébastien sits at the opposite end with a soft throw pillow in his lap, scrolling on his phone until he looks up, amused.
“Any bets on what she’s going to pick?” Laurent asks, tossing a piece of popcorn in the air and catching it in his mouth. “Please, not a romance. I can’t cry in front of you people again.”
Massimo smirks as he settles beside the sound system. “You cried during Guardians of the Galaxy. I wouldn’t hold my breath.”
Laurent scoffs, mock offended. “Groot died. It was tragic. Don’t make it weird.”
Moments later, Cole and Rowan step into the room. Her hair is damp from a quick shower, pulled into a messy braid over one shoulder, and she’s dressed in cozy loungewear that makes her look like she belongs here already. Her eyes sweep the room, warm and curious, lingering on Sébastien, then Laurent, then flicking to me.
“Movie night?” she asks, voice soft but teasing.
“Your pick, cuore mio,” I say smoothly. “Anything you want.”
She thinks for a moment, then grins. “Superhero. Something ridiculous. I want explosions and snarky one-liners. Maybe spandex.”
Laurent, cheers. “Now that’s a woman of taste.”
I cue up Thor Ragnarok and hand Rowan the remote. She nestles in between Sébastien and Laurent, who immediately sandwich her like overgrown guard dogs disguised as men. Laurent offers her a soft blanket. While Sébastien pulls a cover over all three of their laps.
Cole and I take the outer seats. I lean back, letting the familiar sound of movie scores and sarcastic banter fill the space. Rowan’s soft laughter blends with Laurent’s loud cackling at every ridiculous line. The whole room feels...right.
About halfway through the movie, my phone buzzes. I glance down. Xavier. Of course. I swipe the screen and brace myself.
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C HARMING AS EVER, I think, as I type.
The reply is almost instant.
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C OLE MUST SENSE THE shift in my energy. He leans in a little. “Xav?”
I nod, keeping my expression neutral as I reply.