Page 93 of Shiny Things

I knew exactly what he meant.

“Let’s do it again next week. My place. The kids and I get together to play games every week. I suppose we’re family now, so all of you are welcome to join us anytime.”

“We’re never getting out of game night, are we?” I whispered to Kim.

“Never.”

She beamed up at me looking more beautiful than ever. From the outside, people may not think we’d be a good match because she’s a Grimes and I’m a Davenport, but really, it was the little things that matter to the both of us: family, quality time with those we care about, and each other. With those priorities in place, I knew we were going to be just fine.

“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!” my mother yelled before jumping up and doing a victory dance. “Oh whatever, count it up all you want, you just landed on my Park Place. Pay up, Andrew, or sell me Boardwalk.”

“If I sell you Boardwalk, this game is over.”

“You don’t have the cash to afford to stay here.”

He counted and then recounted. I could see the shock on his face as he realized she was right. He threw down the last of his money and cursed under his breath.

“Woohoo! Victory tastes good!”

“Mom?” Gia said. “I’ve never seen her act like this.”

Dean shrugged. “I always suspected she would have a mental break someday. Who knew a kids’ game would be her undoing.”

Ryan and I laughed.

Dad grinned watching her. Even after all their years together, he still looked at her like she was the greatest, mostbeautiful thing in the world, because despite her flaws, to him she was.

“I think we might just take you up on your offer, Clarence,” he said.

I looked down at Kim and squeezed her a little tighter as my heart swelled.

My siblings used to tease me that I had the heart of the Grinch. I was dark and moody. I wore a shell of armor that ensured people didn’t get too close, but really, I didn’t want them looking too closely and seeing all my own flaws. That persona had become the perception people had of me. And I was okay with that. I enjoyed it even.

I wasn’t sure when Kim had first seen past the façade, and I had no idea why I’d instantly dropped my guard wanting her to see me—the real me—but I had to believe that things happen for a reason. Or maybe it was just because she was mine all along. Whatever it was and however we got to this point, I was just grateful for it.

With Mom’s victory confirmed, we all said goodnight as they filed out, leaving Kim and I alone.

She wrapped her arms around me and sighed happily.

“Tonight was good, right? We’re going to be okay?”

“Babe, we’re going to be a lot better than okay.”

Then I kissed her and took her to bed—our bed.

*****

“The bad news is, we have no idea why the Collector targeted Kim specifically, and from all accounts that’s what it appears to be,” Silas explained, as we reconvened the Council meeting.

“It’s possible Joe sold her out to get back at me,” I confessed.

That thought had been weighing heavily on my mind. In my need to protect her, had I put her in even bigger harm?

“Why would Joe want revenge on you?” Clarence asked.

“There was an incident at a function the night before. He physically assaulted my mate, and I had words with him. Fine, I threatened him. He left in a hurry, embarrassing himself in the process.”

“He touched my daughter?”

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