Page 29 of Vail

“Happy birthday.”

“Thanks, Hart.”

I wasn’t sure how long we stayed like that before the scent of breakfast floated to us. I swore Irene stood down there with one of Jordan’s expensive bladeless fans next to the food to coax us out of bed so we’d eat.

Hartley slipped a T-shirt over his head, and I got dressed in the lounge pants he made for me and one of Jordan’s plain white tees. I loved putting the shirts on. They were tight on me, hugging my body when he wasn’t here to do so. If I tried to do that with one of Hartley’s, I’d rip it.

The elevator doors opened as we got to the bottom of the stairs. Jordan exited, freshly showered, which I really didn’t want to think about the reason for. The only time he came upstairs like that was when he had to do something I didn’t need the details on. I pushed it aside. It was part of being with him. While I’d love for him to stop doing… that, I couldn’t walk away.

Jordan’s smile at seeing us could have lit the room. That was saying a lot.

“Vail, happy birthday,” he said and opened his arms. I readily went into them, holding him. Worrying about Jordan was becoming second nature. He did too many dangerous things. While I didn’t want to know where he was, I was grateful he returned to Hartley and me in one piece.

“Thank you.” I pressed my lips to his neck. He was warm, solid, and embraced me perfectly.

“While I want to hold you all day, I don’t want Irene to tap her foot at us.”

I chuckled. “We wouldn’t want that.”

Jordan graced me with another kiss before placing one on Hartley’s lips. The three of us took seats at the table where Irene had a feast spread out. Eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, three kinds of syrup, biscuits, gravy, and much more.

“How are we supposed to eat all of this?” I asked.

“Whatever you don’t finish, I’ll pack up and take downstairs for the boys,” she said. “They could always use more food.”

“They get plenty while they’re here,” Jordan stated.

For those who lived in the building, they had their own kitchens where they could prepare their meals. For those on duty, Jordan had food delivered so they could eat on their breaks. Plenty of restaurants in East Dremest were happy to bring their food here and stay on Jordan’s good side. It also meant more business for them. If the guards loved it, they’d visit the establishments during their off hours.

“Forest called,” Hartley said before taking a bite.

Jordan cocked an eyebrow. “And?”

“Apparently, he’s selling his condo and moving here.”

“Here, as in my building?”

I laughed. “We didn’t ask for details.”

“He wants to live close to us,” Hartley clarified. “Well, Vail and me, which means close to you as well. He should meet you.”

“I’d like to meet him as well.”

“You can’t?—”

Jordan cut him off. “I won’t hurt your brother as long as he doesn’t hurt either of you.”

Hartley nodded and dug back into his food. “I will never tire of your cooking, Irene.”

“Thank you, dear.” She bustled into the kitchen to grab scones.

When we were done with our meal, Jordan placed an envelope on the table, sliding it toward me.

“I thought we weren’t doing this.” I told them not to get me anything.

“I didn’t say I’d listen.”

The white envelope had no writing on the outside, and the back wasn’t sealed. I slid my fingers inside to withdraw a piece of folded paper. Opening it, I scanned the document, trying to figure out what I was looking at when it clicked.

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