“You’re devious.”
“Strategic,” she corrected with a grin. “Now come on, birthday boy. People are waiting to celebrate you.”
Before he could respond, his mother appeared, wrapping him in a hug that smelled of home—that raspberry perfume she’d worn since he was a kid. “There’s my boy,” she said, pulling back to look at him. “Thirty years old. When did that happen?”
“Last I checked, that’s how time works, Mom,” he said, but he was smiling despite himself. The tension in his shoulders began to ease as she patted his cheek.
“Don’t get smart with me, Elliot Harlan,” she warned, but her eyes were warm. “Now come eat. I made all your favorites.”
The next few minutes dissolved into a blur of hugs, backslaps, and birthday wishes as family members approached in waves. His father’s rib-crushing, back-slapping hug. His uncle Greer’s solemn nod conveyed more than words ever could. Dom’s boisterous toast had everyone laughing. Jean-Sabin Cavalier’s exaggerated bow as he presented a wrapped package with “Try not to shoot yourself with it” scrawled across the top.
Through it all, he kept finding his gaze drawn back to Rue, who moved through his family gathering with remarkable ease. She laughed at one of his aunt’s stories, helped his mother bring out more food, and good-naturedly endured Dom’s teasing about the “engagement.”
“She fits in,” Davey said quietly, appearing at Elliot’s side with two beers. He handed one over, following Elliot’s gaze to where Rue was now arguing playfully with his cousin Weston over the cake.
“Yeah,” Elliot agreed, taking a long pull from the bottle. “She does.”
Davey studied him for a moment. “You know, when Rowan suggested inviting her, I thought it might be weird. Given the circumstances.”
“The circumstances being that we’re pretending to be engaged for a potentially deadly mission to Antarctica?”
“That, and the fact that you’ve been half in love with her for months.”
Elliot choked on his beer. “I’m not?—”
“Save it.” Davey shook his head, amusement softening his features. “I’ve seen how you look at her. It’s the same way I looked at Rowan before I admitted how I felt.”
“It’s not like that,” Elliot insisted, but the words sounded hollow even to his own ears.
“Sure it’s not.” Davey clapped him on the shoulder. “Just be careful, E. Missions and feelings... they don’t always mix well.”
Before Elliot could respond, Rue appeared with a slice of cake, saving him from having to lie to his brother’s face.
“Birthday cake,” she announced, presenting it with a flourish. “I made it myself.”
Elliot raised an eyebrow, taking the plate. “You bake?”
“God, no.” She laughed. “But I supervised while your mom made it, which is basically the same thing. And I decorated.”
The chocolate cake had what appeared to be an attempt at a penguin in the frosting. “Antarctica-themed,” she explained, following his gaze. “Least I could do, since you’re spending your birthday on a frozen hellscape with me instead of here with them.”
The thoughtfulness of it—of all of this—hit him with unexpected force. He’d been so focused on the mission, on protecting her, on Praetorian and Frost and what waited for them in Antarctica, that he hadn’t given his birthday any thought at all.
But they had. She had.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, meeting her eyes.
Her expression softened, the teasing light in her eyes replaced by genuine warmth. “You’re welcome, El.”
For a moment, they just stood there, the chaos of the party fading around them. Then Dom’s voice broke the spell, calling for everyone’s attention for “the most embarrassing Elliot stories we can legally share in mixed company.”
Rue’s grin returned, bright and wicked. “Oh, I have to hear this,” she said, already turning toward the gathering crowd.
Elliot watched her go, something loosening in his chest. For tonight, at least, he could let himself enjoy this—the warmth of family, the comfort of home, and the sight of Rue Bristow fitting into his life like she’d always been meant to be there.
seven
The elevator opened again,and the laughter died. Elliot turned toward the sound, beer bottle halfway to his lips, and felt the room go cold around him as Cade stepped into the warm light of the common room. His cousin stood in the doorway with a small wrapped package clutched in one hand, and his baby daughter Nova balanced on his hip, her dark hair flattened under a hat with an adorable little pompom on top. The little girl looked around with wide, curious eyes, taking in the streamers and the crowd of familiar faces.
