Page 17 of Cohesion

“If we were forced to open it for someone, it would give us time to separate from them and get inside without letting them in,” Jericho said, shrugging. “Or lock them in here with no way out. They aren’t getting through that reinforced glass, I guarantee you. C’mon, let me show you around.”

That checked out, at least.

Peyton learned quickly that “Hunter likes his plants” was an understatement. There were hanging plants above the long island kitchen bench. A shelf of herbs on the windowsill. Dining table covered in plants. He almost tripped coming around the corner into the room because there was a whole raised bed right there on the tiled floor, filled with soil. Why was it inside? Were there seeds in there?

The entire front half of the house looked ordinary. Lounge with an elaborate TV setup and one too many couches. Kitchen stocked with all the staples.

It wasn’t until they went further in and down the long black carpeted hallway that an “office” vibe seeped into the place. Skylights lit the way, more hanging plants strung up under them. Did Hunter go through and water them all himself? How did he even get up there?

“This is where our offices are,” Jericho explained as he led the way. “First door on your right is Moira’s, Six and G are to your left, Spence and Ken are second door on your right, with us across the hall. Last door on the right is Hunter’s.”

Across from Hunter’s office door was another hallway, curving back to make an almost “L” shape with the house.

“What’s down there?” Peyton asked.

“Med bay, showers, nap room, gym, and an armoury. Sanitation and stationary supplies are in the storage cupboards that line the hallway. Help yourself.”

“The size of this place is deceiving from the front,” Peyton remarked, following Jericho into his new office. If he decided to stay.

Two large mahogany desks backed against each other in the middle of the room, computer chairs pushed under them. One had the full setup, and the other was completely empty. A large window took up an entire wall, similar to the front of the house. Someone had written on it with some kind of fluoro marker. It looked like blueprints and arrows pointing to certain areas. A few parts of wherever it was had been crossed off with a large red “X.” A picture of a rubber duck—not even the rubber duck itself—was hanging above it with a suction cup. What the hell was that for?

“Yeah, the block is narrow and long, but we actually have the block on the other side too. We demolished both houses and built this one in the middle.”

“Who the hell paid for all this?” Peyton asked. The house had to have cost an absolute fortune. The government wasn’t known for handing out money willy-nilly to anyone that didn’t have “politician” attached to their name. Black ops or not, the price tag would have been astronomical.

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

“You couldtry,” Peyton suggested. Jericho was good, but so was he. He wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to tangle and see just who would come out on top.

Jericho casually gave Peyton a once-over, heat in his gaze that Peyton responded to in kind. Just one look was all it took for him to want to take off his clothes and get horizontal. Or upright. Hewasn’t picky, and there were plenty of sturdy walls—and doors—around.

“Remind me to show you the gym later,” Jericho said with a smirk. “That desk is yours.” The empty one, of course. “You can move it wherever you want. Except under that.” The large corkboard and whiteboard on the opposite wall. That seemed self-explanatory. It was covered in papers stuck to it and more notes with the same handwriting from the wall.

“You have nothing on your desk yet because Six got a bee in his bonnet about something to do with your computer and is fucking with it in the tech room. He’ll have it back by the end of the week. Probably. You won’t need it right now anyway.”

Peyton trailed his fingers across the edge of his new desk. “Is the place empty?”

“Don’t think so,” Jericho said. “Moira and Six were parked out front.”

“How can you tell?” All the cars looked the same.

“Number plates.”

Right. “You know, this all feels very mundane.”

Jericho leaned against Peyton’s desk, their shoulders brushing. He folded his arms over his chest. “What were you expecting?”

“Secret spy stuff,” Peyton said easily.

Jericho licked his lips, the corner of his mouth tipping up. “Sorry to disappoint.”

Peyton hooked his fingers in Jericho’s belt loops and tugged him closer, pulling them chest to chest. “I can think of a way you can make it up to me.”

“Oh, yeah?” Jericho swayed closer, leaning down. “I like the way you think.”

“Thought you might,” Peyton murmured before pressing their lips together. He licked across the seam and Jericho tilted his head, letting him in. He’d thought it was impossible to get soattached to the taste of more than one person. He’d already been so filled with Will; how could he have room for more? He’d been proven wrong when he’d finally gotten to touch Quinn, and when Sebastian had fallen into their laps. And here he was, another person he was falling for and getting drunk on the taste of. A relationship with one person was complicated. With four?

Good thing Peyton had always liked a challenge.

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