Page 112 of The Hitman’s Final Job

He comes straight to me and wraps his arms around me, rests his head on my shoulder, and turns to Rowan.

“What are we talking about?” he asks.

“We’re discussing how you’re going to murder my dad.”

Silas laughs. “If I didn’t kill him when I was getting paid well to do it, I’m certainly not going to do it now that I have access to other considerably more enjoyable personal benefits.”

Rowan makes a sound of profound suffering. “I walked into that.”

The doorbell rings. “I’ll get it,” Rowan says, leaving the kitchen.

Silas faces me.

He gets his hands on my waist, and I get mine on his.

I kiss him because I can. Because he’s mine.

“Are you ready for this?” I ask when we break apart.

“For a potluck dinner with what feels like the entire town of Pine Ridge? Absolutely.”

“They’re going to be a lot,” I say.

“They’re always a lot. That’s why I like them.” He kisses me again, quick and warm. “I’m going to grab a shower. I’ll be right down.”

“We could—” I eye his chest, knowing exactly what he looks like all wet and pliant under the shower spray.

He considers me with an expression that suggests he knows exactly what’s on my mind.

“We could,” he agrees. “But we’d take at least half an hour, and that would be rude to our friends.”

We drop our embrace, and he goes upstairs, leaving me staring at the shape of his ass in those shorts that fit him way too perfectly.

Tess comes through into the kitchen, followed by Clay and Rowan. She’s carrying two casserole dishes that smell extraordinary. She sets the dishes on the table. “This was the best idea. I don’t often have an excuse to cook for friends.”

I snort. “Tess, you literally bring me food at least three times a week.”

She waves me off and starts pulling plates out of the cupboard.

Kai and Atlas show up just as Silas comes back downstairs. Shortly after, we’re joined by David and Mark from the Bookshelf Café and then Priya and Dom.

Dante arrives with Hux and Chris.

The house fills up with more people than it’s ever held before.

As everyone fills their plates, Silas comes over to me.

“Is everything okay?” he says quietly.

“Yeah. I was just thinking about the first time Tess knocked on my door with bread, and look at this place now.”

“Maybe it’s a little selfish, but I don’t hate having so many friends. After all the years of keeping everyone at bay, I like this.”

My feelings exactly.

“Come on,” I say. “Let’s fill our plates before the good stuff is gone.”

“Baby, look at it. All of this food is good food.”