“To the mango,” Knox says solemnly, holding up a pit like he’s giving a eulogy.
Declan rolls his eyes, but I catch the tiny smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
We eat late, crowded around the tiny table with plates on laps and our knees knocking under the surface. The chicken is a little overdone, but Declan’s teriyaki glaze is sex on a spoon, and Ava’s mango salsa is divine, and no one is bleeding from an inadvertent knife accident. Gunner curls up under the table with his chin on Knox’s foot, catching crumbs and salivating each time Knox slips him a chunk of chicken.
It’s loud. It’s messy.
It’sours.
And for one warm, ridiculous evening, we’re not fugitives or law enforcers or secrets wrapped in too much perfume. We’re just... together. Us.
Which, let’s be honest, is probably the most dangerous thing we’ve done all week.
50
AVA
“Can we talk?” Declan says, crossing the room into the kitchen where I’m cleaning the dishes.
“Sure, spit it out.” I keep my gaze on the butcher’s knife I’m cleaning.
“In private.” Declan puts his hand on the small of my back, and I freeze.
“Oh. Um…” I look back at Emily, who’s carrying in the empty wine glasses. Will she feel like I’m encroaching on her alpha if we go off in private? We haven’t really talked about what happens now. But I want her, and it seems like she and Declan might be a package deal. Do I want him, too? Not just for my heat, but for something more?
My body does. But I’m not sure that’s enough.
Emily gives me an encouraging nod, then sets down the glasses and bounces over to the sink. “I can take over here.”
I eye her skeptically.
“What? There’s no blow torch involved in washing dishes. I can handle it.” She hip checks me out of the way, nearly making the knife slip from my hand and proving my point.
“I will supervise.” Lucas gently takes the knife from me, setting it on the counter before kissing my cheek. “Go talk with our alpha.”
Out of excuses, I follow Declan to the balcony. The ship rocks gently beneath us, still anchored offshore. The coastline stretches in the distance, a shadowed curve of land kissed silver by moonlight. The ocean glows under the stars, dark and glassy, with occasional waves catching the light like scattered jewels. From the ship, it all looks so still. So calm.
“What did you want to talk about?” I cross my arms, mentally preparing for the rejection I know is coming. He’ll tell me the heat was fun, but he doesn’t want this to continue. He’ll warn me that Emily’s his and tell me to back off. Maybe he’ll say the same about Lucas. Hell, he’ll probably even tell me to stay away from Knox—I’ve seen the way they look at each other, even if they try to deny it.
Once again, I’ll be left alone, overlooked, unchosen. Fine. Doesn’t matter. I don’t want them to choose me, anyway. I don’t need an alpha or anyone else.
“Ava.” My name on Declan’s lips is a command all on its own.
I look up, unable to do anything else.
“What? What the hell do you want, Declan?” I snap, feeling cornered.
“There’s those walls.” His lips curve, not quite a smirk, just the ghost of one. “Those walls you’re so proud of.” He steps in before I can retreat, fingers closing around my jaw. Firm, not cruel. Commanding. “Get out of your head, Ava.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you’re panicking. Bracing for the worst. You think I’m going to reject you, don’t you?”
My mouth dries up. I try to swallow, but his hand moves with the motion, sliding down my throat like he’s memorizingthe shape of me. The touch makes me feel vulnerable in a way I never thought I’d like.
His fingers trail back up, settling under my jaw, nudging my chin until I have no choice but to meet his eyes. “Don’t hide from me, Ava.”
“I’m not.” The words come out too fast, too defensive. My natural default. I close my eyes. Try again. “I’m not,” I say, softer this time.
