33. Physical Inventory
Physical Inventory
Sara
I’m pacing the floor when the front door opens. My heart skips a beat. The first person I see is Finn and I hug him tight to me. I would have been a distraction there, but sitting here doing nothing while wondering if they were okay was rough.
“It was only a business meeting, flower.” He holds me just as tight and kisses my temple.
I pull back. “Is it over?”
His green eyes match his smile. “Yes, my father has given us his protection. By now, everyone in the underworld will know all of us are untouchable unless they want to start a war with Colin Lawson.”
A weight lifts off me. He presses a kiss to my lips before pushing me into Wyatt’s arms. Wyatt lifts me in the air before hugging me. For a second, I just absorb everything about him. I’m still a little amazed to be his finally.
He guides me into Drew’s arms next.
“Hey there, princess.” He holds me like he never wants to let me go, which is the best feeling in the world.
In the back of my mind, I know Roger is with them, but this is my life now. I’m not going to hide from anyone anymore. Well, maybe at the office. It’s bad enough I’m Tom’s sister, but add fucking the other three bosses… It’s not the best look for me as an intern.
Drew kisses me sweetly and then I’m in Dante’s arms. Any remaining weight lifts off me as he draws me into his body.
They’re all back and in one piece. Dante turns me and leads me into the living room where Finn tells Mom and Tom about the meeting while Roger takes Caitlyn and Peabody out into the backyard.
When Finn finishes, I’m a little shocked at how easy it was. But it wasn’t easy on Finn to trust his father. None of what any of us went through was easy.
Mom keeps glancing at Dante and me where we stand. He’s leaning against the wall and I’m leaning back against him. His arms are wrapped around my middle and I have my hands over his. Completely at ease with his affection, even in front of my mother.
“I guess we can go back to the townhouse now.” Mom looks at all of us. “Is this where you all are going to stay?”
“We are.” Dante rubs his thumb over my knuckles. “But Sara can go home with you if that’s what she wants.”
I’ve been waffling about this for too long. When in reality, the only place I want to be is in their arms, in their beds, in our bed. Going backward at this point isn’t an option.
“I’m ready to live here with you guys.” I lean my head against his shoulder. “If it doesn’t work out, I can go home.”
“Of course, you’re always welcome at the townhouse.” My mom smiles at me indulgently. “I’m sure Tom and Natasha will want their own place. Though I think Caitlyn might be here more often than not, if that baby stays here.”
“While I always enjoy running into my friends in their boxers or seeing them kiss my sister.” Tom winces. His good arm is around Natasha, who rests her head on his shoulder. “We should really get our own place or go back to the apartment.”
“That apartment might be too big for you two,” Drew says. “But my apartment might work better. There’s a bedroom and another space that can be made into the baby’s room. I might be able to get the landlord to give you a sweet deal.”
“Didn’t you say you owned your loft?” Wyatt raises an eyebrow.
I almost laugh out loud. Drew’s always making a deal.
“Like I said, I know a guy.” Drew glances at me and winks.
Wyatt shakes his head with a smirk.
I’m trying to imagine his dungeon turned into a baby’s room. With the amount of space, it could easily be divided into two additional bedrooms. And that would mean the equipment would be moved here. I don’t feel like I got enough time to explore everything in that room yet. My insides warm.
Natasha looks up at Tom. “It would be better than moving into one of my father’s places. Dad bought the property in my name to secure it for my future. But I don’t think I’d be comfortable living there right now. I wouldn’t feel safe.”
“We can go see the place this weekend.” Tom turns to Drew, who nods. “See if we like it and then maybe get the renovations done while we live in the apartment downstairs?”
My cheeks burn. Has Drew already moved the equipment or is Tom going to get a sneak peek at my love life? Probably more information he really doesn’t want, and I’m not sure I want him to even consider that about me.
Tom’s looking at me for approval. Like I’m the one who has the final say if he stays or goes.
“Oh, yeah, that sounds good.” I smile and try to push down my discomfort. “As long as the apartment downstairs has everything you need for now.”
Dante chuckles behind me.
Tom smiles back at me. “It would be easier than moving again so soon. We just got settled. Renovations should only take a month or two.”
I nod. That’s about how long my internship will last, and then I have to return to college. It’s going to be odd not seeing the guys all day every day, but I’ll be able to have lunch with them between classes.
“I’m just looking forward to my own bed.” Mom releases a breath. Roger comes in and Peabody follows him. Peabody sits at my and Dante’s feet. I just shake my head. So he trots over to Finn and yips at him.
When Finn pats his lap, Peabody jumps up and curls up to sleep. Caitlyn comes bouncing in from the kitchen and sits next to Mom.
“I had someone inspect the house yesterday and tighten up security,” Roger says. “Everything’s been cleaned.”
“I had the rooms repaired after the break-in,” Dante says. “They salvaged what they could, but the only rooms gone through were Tom and Sara’s. I had a thorough review by a team to make sure there weren’t any hidden devices in the house as well.”
Roger nods and his gaze goes to Mom. “We can go back tonight if you want.”
Mom glances at all of us. “Will Tom be okay without me?”
“You can come baby me any time you want.” Tom grins at her.
“We’ve got Tom,” Wyatt says. He lifts his eyes to me. I’m supposed to sleep in his bed tonight. Dante and I just slept last night. It would be weird to do anything with my parents right below us. But if they’re not here...
“It’d be nice to unpack, Bitsy.” Roger looks at me and then his gaze goes higher to Dante. “The kids are secure here. Colin is leaving the men for now. Any time there’s a power exchange, someone thinks they can do better. It shouldn’t be long before everything settles down again.”
Mom sighs, scans all of us, and looks hopefully at Roger. “Maybe after lunch?”
He gives her a soft smile. “Sure.”
After lunch, the guys went into the office to work. Drew stayed home with me for Tom. With Drew’s help, Tom moved downstairs to their apartment so he and Natasha could take a nap. I stayed upstairs with my work laptop open to try to catch up on some of the work for my internship.
Mom, Roger, and Caitlyn took Peabody home with them.
I look at his little doggie bed sitting in the dining room so he could be close while we worked. I’m going to miss him, but it really makes sense for him to stay with my parents and Caitlyn since I’m busy with work and class.
“What’s the frown for, princess?” Drew comes in and sits next to me, opening up his laptop.
“Just missing Peabody already.” I shrug. “I’m used to having to worry about him with everything going on. It’s weird to know my parents have him and he’s safe.”
“You want a dog?” Drew asks. “We can get a dog or a puppy.”
I blow out a breath. “Maybe after a while. I need to get my feet under me in this new life first before adding chaos to the mix.”
“Chaos is a fitting name for a dog.”
I chuckle. “Maybe not that name.”
“If you wanted to go in and work—”
“No.” I smile. “Someone needs to be here to help with Tom.”
He gestures to himself as if to ask, What am I?
“You and Natasha should have it handled, but...” I shake my head. “I need a little time to get accustomed to real life again. Do you know what I mean?”
“When we’re not hiding from Mafia kingpins? That’s a typical Thursday night.” He smirks but then nudges me. “You should do a girls’ night out. You need your friends too.”
I’ve been wrapped up in everything that’s been going on. It might be nice to go out and drink with my friends again. Not have to worry about potentially getting kidnapped or have someone watching me.
I send off a quick text to the guys to doublecheck and get resounding yeses to me going out. Though I’m sure someone will happen to be at the bar that night.
Then I open up my group text.
Me:
All in the clear
No more big bad coming to get us
Hope:
Yay!
Kayla:
Party time!
Madison:
You okay?
Nan:
Can’t wait to hang out!
I pause at You okay. Shit, I haven’t talked to them since before Tom and I were shot at.
Me:
Okay, don’t freak out
Tom and I were shot at
Kayla:
What?
Me:
Tom got hit in the shoulder and is home
Nan:
OMG
Me:
Mom and Roger are back from Europe
Madison:
Do you need anything?
Hope:
How can we help?
Me:
I think for once I’m taken care of
Kayla:
With Dante there, for sure *winky face emoji*
I roll my eyes. I love Kayla and can’t wait to hear what’s been going on with her and Nan. I’m so far out of the loop.
Me:
Can we have a girls’ night out?
Soon
Please
Kayla:
We could go to your boyfriend’s strip club
Hope:
Absolutely
Daiquiris at McAvoy’s?
Kayla:
Fine, we can do daiquiris and then end up at the Veiled Vixen
Nan:
Amazing
Not the strip club
Madison:
I’m down for drinks
And a maybe on the strip club
Like I told my mom, I have a support system now. And I love every one of these women.
Me:
Maybe we can do the strip club another time
Oh, can I invite someone?
Kayla:
I vote Dante
He’s so hot
Me:
I was thinking of the girl they tried to set Dante up with, Juliette
Though he might need to come to interpret
She’s deaf
Hope:
I know ASL
Kayla:
Ma’am, she was going to bring Dante
Me:
I’d rather just have a girls’ night, so yay, Hope
Kayla:
Fine
Can you at least bring some pics of Dante?
Nan:
It’s not nice to ask for pics of other people’s partners
Madison:
Yes, please stop. Coop is all too willing to pose for pics when he sees your texts
Kayla:
Oof, I want a pic of Coop and Dante and then I’ll never ask for anything ever again
Preferably naked
Nan:
Kayla!
Hope:
Kayla!
Madison:
Blake says no
I laugh out loud and Drew slides his hand over my thigh.
“Everything good?” His brown eyes meet mine.
I can’t hold back my smile. “Everything’s great.”