Page 83 of Give Me Peace

“Batman’s so cool,” I sigh wistfully. “Peter’s really lucky. Not all superheroes have such neat powers.” The sound of the guys’ footsteps fade behind me. I turn at the base of the stairs, pressing my lips together as I look back at them. They’re staring at me, concern flooding their faces. Likely wondering what my IQ is.

“Maybe she needs to be powered off, then turned back on,” Kash comments absently. “Or we could put her in rice. I dropped my phone in the toilet once and a bowl of rice fixed it right up.” I can’t help the laugh the bubbles out of me.

“Surely you guys don’t think I’m that dense?” I narrow my eyes playfully.

“Brat,” Kash swears as he lunges for me. I squeal and take off running up the steps. I trip, laughing as I catch myself on my hands before springing back up.

“Goddamnit, Kash. If she has one fucking bruise, I’m going to kick your ass!” Roan’s shout follows me as I fling the door open and run for my life. I slide at the end of the hallway and hang a left. Instead of going to my room, like he’d expect me to, I head for Lochlan’s office. I have just enough time to wedge myself beneath his desk when I hear Kash searching next door. I slap a hand over my mouth, knowing I’m liable to give myself away by laughing before he actually finds me.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Kash singsongs, striding in the room with purpose. “I’m going to spank that cute little ass of yours when I find you.” I roll my eyes. “I can do this all day, sweetness. Didn’t you know? Men love to hunt. Makes us all growly and shit.” I snort, the faint noise escaping before I can rein it back in. My heart thuds faster in the seconds that follow, waiting for the moment he discovers me.

“Gotcha!” Kash yanks me out and tosses me over his shoulder, swatting my butt as he carries me back to the living room, going on and on about reaping the fruits of his labor. “Caught myself a woman, brother.” I’m dropped to the couch unceremoniously. Batting the hair from my face, I look up to see Kash grinning back at me like a kid on Christmas morning.

“Always figured you’d have to trick one. Run while you can, Tink.” Krew winks at me.

“My turn. You get to count this time,” Kash declares, sprinting off to find a place to hide. “Out loud, Best Friend!” Roan shakes his head, lifting me up and placing me on the island. He inspects my leg, turning it from side to side in search of an injury that doesn’t exist.

“I’m fine,” I huff, secretly loving his overprotective nature. Roan’s gaze clashes with mine, something dark and delicious simmering in those green depths.

“The only bruises I’ll ever be okay with are the ones you’ll get from kneeling at my feet while I feed you my cock.” He speaks so quietly the dirty words are barely more than a whisper. I gape like a fish, struggling to come up with an appropriate response.

“Uh…what am I supposed to be counting to?” I croak, choosing avoidance for the time being.

“Eternity for all I care. Leave the fucker waiting.” Roan kisses my forehead and joins Krew. The ladder pulls out his phone, his eyebrows dipping together as he looks at the screen. A sly smile tilts the corner of his mouth, then he hands the phone to Roan. He laughs lightly at whatever he sees before giving it back. Deciding enough time has passed, I get to my feet so I can begin my hunt for Kash. I’m sure he’ll take a normal game of hide-n-seek to the extreme. He’ll stay hid for hours just to spite me. I’m nearing the hallway when the garage door flies open.

I feel my heart sink to my feet as I whirl around, expecting the absolute worst. My eyes widen at the unexpected sight, my brain refusing to believe it’s really happening.

“I won rock-paper-scissors fair and square, you fucking wankstain,” Lochlan snarls at Havok, gripping the hood of his jacket as he tries to run ahead of him. He’s clotheslined by his own clothing, a comical gag escaping him as he stumbles back.

“What kind of fool believes a street kid who’s been hustling hoity-toity assholes like you since he was in diapers?” Havok loosens the fabric from his neck, working it from side to side. “Men play fair when the stakes aren’t that high. You must not find them enticing enough, brother.” Havok shoves Lochlan as he goes to move around him, making him flip over a barstool. He lands on his back with a grunt. I cover my mouth with the edge of my top, trying to decide if this is all in good fun or if someone’s going to wind up with a broken nose.

“Take another step and I’ll fire your ass,” Lochlan spits, rolling to his side so he can peel himself off the floor. Havok just laughs, continuing his path to…me. They’re fighting each other to get to me. I drop my shirt, smiling at the crazy idiot. In the next blink, his feet are swiped out from under him and he’s lying face first on the ground. I gasp at the sound his head makes when it cracks against the tile.

“Always so cocky, Kade. Better luck next time, mate.” Lochlan squats beside Havok and pats his cheek condescendingly. When he stands, his focus is lasered on me. He charges forward, donning the hottest smirk I’ve ever seen. His button up is only half tucked in after their altercation, his tie hanging limply, but the disheveled look is really working in his favor. I laugh when we collide, jumping up to wrap my arms and legs around him. He doesn’t stop until we’re closed behind the twins’ office door and I’m pressed against it. Lochlan cups my cheeks and kisses me, both of us sighing at the first taste of each other. He slips his tongue in and strokes it against mine so expertly, it makes me squirm.

“Missed you, love,” he breathes the exclamation over my lips, keeping us as close as possible.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” I smile, running my fingers through his hair. “How’d you guys pull that off?”

Lochlan shakes his head, peppering my neck with kisses. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Tonight, I need to hold you.” I nod, getting a sense that things didn’t go that great in Tennessee.

“I need to check on Havok. Poor guy might have a concussion.” I give Lochlan a pointed look.

“Please,” he scoffs. “His head’s too hard.” I stand firm, giving him that narrow-eyed glare Mom was so good at it. “Fine,” Lochlan caves. “Stay with tonight, though?” I agree and press my lips to his for another quick kiss. Dropping to my feet, I walk out to find Havok in the same spot we left him. He’s on his back now, arms and legs spread out like he’s been making snow angels as he stares at the ceiling. I kneel at the top of his head, leaning over so he can see me. When I meet his icy blue gaze, a sweet smile spreads across his handsome face.

“I tried to fight for you, Say.” Havok winces as he rubs the knot on his eyebrow. “Like I said, he’s a feisty bastard.” I bite back a laugh, remembering the way he went down like a sack of bricks.

“Spoiler—it’s not a race,” I whisper, giggling at the indignant face he makes.

“Say Baby, men turn everything into a race. We can be standing next to a stranger at the urinal and decide to see who can piss the quickest.”

“Sounds like a bunch of macho idiocy to me. And now you’re gonna have a nasty bruise on this pretty face.” I run my thumb between his eyes, down his nose and over his lips. His blue orbs cross comically as he tries to follow the movement.

“You think I’m pretty?” Havok asks, a dopey grin curving his mouth.

“The prettiest.” I lean down and kiss him, lost in our own little bubble on the floor. “Mmm, just like Batman,” I joke, knowing the others are close by and likely listening in. Havok jerks back, though he has nowhere to go since the tile is pretty immoveable. Roan doubles over laughing, his green eyes sparkling as I wink at him.

“MJ and Peter Parker share the upside kiss, love. That’s Spider-Man, not Batman,” Lochlan explains sweetly. His earnest expression is too much and I lose it. I’m wiping tears from my eyes as Havok sits up and searches the room.