Chapter 23
Dutch
Aloudknockpullsme from the depths of sleep, and a low groan escapes me as I roll over, blearily looking at the clock. 9:07. Who the fuck is waking me up at the ass crack of dawn? Drawing the blankets over my head, I will them to go away, but the knock comes again, more insistent this time. Sighing heavily, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stumble toward the bedroom door, checking at the last minute that I am, indeed, dressed. It might just be shorts and a tank top, but at least I’m decent. Thumbs up, Dutch for the win.
After a long day yesterday of meetings and decision-making, all of us ended up in the bar. I might have made a bet with my brother—it’s still surreal saying that—that I could match him drink for drink. I held my own, even after countless shots of tequila, but I’m paying for it now.
I swear a horde of little demons has taken up residence in my skull, poking at my brain with miniature pitchforks.
The knock comes again, the sharp noise like a knife through my head. “Coming!” I shout out, staggering toward the door, blinking against the early morning sun pouring through the windows. I tear the door open and blink rapidly at the sight of Special Agent Susannah Gerhardt, in all her glory, leaning against my door frame with a wide grin stretched across her face.
“Surprise, bitch.”
Cackling, headache forgotten, I reach out and pull her into a hug, smacking a loud kiss on her lips. She blinks back at me, then snarks, “Jesus, Dutch. Buy a girl dinner first.”
Stepping back, I usher her in, only then noticing the men standing behind her. “Psst, Susannah. Heads up. There seem to be identical cuties behind you.” I make sure to use a stage whisper, just to stir the shit. Because, well, I’m me.
“I’m aware,” she loudly whispers back, then speaks normally. “Dutch, this is Theodore and Justin Booth. Boys, this is Dutch. Be nice to her.”
After we’ve said our hellos, I lead them to the living area before making my way to the kitchen to grab an energy drink. The others turn down my offer, and with me not having any coffee on hand to offer, I plop down on the sofa.
“Not that it’s not amazing to see you, but what the fuck are you doing in the city?” I ask curiously, before downing the fizzy caffeinated goodness in a few greedy gulps. Out of politeness, I make sure to swallow the belch threatening to work its way up my throat.
Susannah explains how Uncle Harris asked her to come and offer her support, along with the twins. I’m not sure how Nate and Ryan are going to take two more members, especially unknown ones, but I’m sure they’ll have Eric and Trey, hackers extraordinaire, on it in no time.
They’ll know what kindergarten they went to and what girls they dated in high school by lunchtime.
“Wait a minute. How did you get up here?” She shouldn’t have been able to make it to this floor, not without the biometrics needed, which Jase took care of for me the day I moved in.
“Well, we were unloading your motorcycle when a very handsome black man asked me who I was. When I told him, he let us come up.”
“Was he wearing a suit?”
“Yes.”
“Jase.” He’s the only one that would be wearing a suit at this time of the morning, and on a Saturday no less.
“He never gave his name, but he seemed quietly giddy at the prospect of me showing up at your door.”
Chuckling, I lean back, then sit up straight again. “Wait a minute. Did you say my motorcycle?” I’ve missed my baby. I thought I had lost her forever after she got left behind in Arizona.
Susannah grins at me. “Harris had it brought here. Jase said he’d put it in the garage.”
Whooping, I leap up, grab her hands, and dance her around the room, Theodore and Justin looking on stoically.
“Do they ever talk? Or smile?” I whisper to her and she laughs.
“Sometimes, although they are on the quieter side.”
“You just haven’t gotten to know us yet,” Justin says with a wink, while his brother smirks beside him.
Oh, joy.
Then another thought comes. Susannah wants to surprise me? Ha. Unplugging my phone sitting on the kitchen counter, I text 911 to two separate numbers, then sit back and wait. After thirty seconds pass, my knee starts bouncing, and I have to fold my lips under my teeth to prevent a grin from spreading across my face.
Susannah looks at me curiously, and I glance at the clock. Five … four … three … The door crashes open, Rebecca and Tessa tumbling inside. They are both clutching knives, and stumble into the room, ready to fight. Only to skitter to a stop when they see me waggling my fingers at them.
Rebecca’s face lights up and she drops the knife. “Auntie Sannah?” she cries, leaping forward, but coming to an abrupt halt when the twins block her path. “Let me go!” she shouts, struggling against their grip.
