Page 16 of In the Cover of Darkness

“You're killing me here, sunshine,” I say, leaning back on the couch, looking up to the ceiling before running my hands through my hair in frustration.

“What's your pant size?” I ask.

“Dante, I'm not telling you my pant size or any other size,” she says frustrated at me. “I appreciate all that you're doing but you don't need to buy me shoes and clothes.” Sitting up, I lean in close to her, lowering my voice, and say, “Oh it's happening. I'm going to buy all the clothes, in all the damn sizes, until there's something for you to wear.”

“You're so annoying,” she mumbles at me, looking frustrated. “Give me your phone. I will pick one set of pants, a top, and a jumper to wear. If I need to go outside I'll use your jacket. Tell me the cost and I'll put it on the list for what I owe you.”

“Fine,” I say, passing her my phone.

“Fine,” she sasses back at me.

Once she's chosen her items, I then add to them. Buying a cell phone, several tops, jumpers, jackets, beanies and anything else I can think of that she might need. Thank gods for online shopping. I know she won't be happy that I've bought her more than we agreed, but it's enough to get her started and not have to worry about having to get a whole wardrobe together. I have no intention of her paying me back anyway so I'm not bothered.

Ace comes back and stares at us both on the couch for a moment, before throwing a dry pair of wool socks at me for Mila to use. I start putting them on Mila's feet before she stops me. Placing a hand on my shoulder, softly saying "I can do it, Dante."

“Just let me do this, baby,” I whisper, wallowing in my failure for forgetting something so simple.

Letting go of my shoulder, she lets me take over, kneeling on the floor at her feet ready to worship her if she would let me.Gently putting each sock on, I look down at her, still taller than her despite kneeling on the floor and her sitting.

“Just two people, starting over,” I gently say, looking at her.

Her face breaks out in a large smile. Her hand reaches out, cupping the side of my face, her thumb grazing across my days old stubble.

“Starting over, together,” she softly replies.

With a grin on my face, I wink at her and say, “But not together, together,” and she bursts out laughing. The infectious sound making me laugh too.

Chapter 16 - Mila

First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes ?

"Ihate to break up whatever this is,” Ace says, waving a pair of tongs in the air, “but I'm going to get some dinner started and just want to double check you don't have any allergies or anything.”

“No, nothing from me but can I help you at all? I'm a decent cook, I swear.”

“Judging by the way D is looking at me right now, I think he might cut a finger off in my sleep if I take you up on that offer, so how about I finish cooking tonight and you cook tomorrow.”

Looking back at Dante, I roll my eyes at him scowling at Ace, before leaving him on the couch and moving to sit on one of the bar stools by the kitchen bench.

“I'm making a casserole so nothing fancy, but it's warm and filling for a day like today.”

“It sounds perfect. Can I please help though? I promise to stay sitting here,” I say, again looking at Dante and his grumpy face.

“Have I said how much I like you, Mila,” Ace says chuckling. "I've heard D say more to you in the few hours you've been here than I think he's said in the past decade."

Confused by this, I look at Dante and then back at Ace, “What? Dante talks all the time.”

“No Darlin, D talks toyouall the time,” he says, pointing the tongs he is still holding at me. "To the rest of us, he just grunts and scowls."

Looking back at Dante who is conveniently scowling, I can't help but laugh at his sour face, my mind wondering why Dante apparently only talks to me.

Ace passes me an assortment of potatoes, carrots and other vegetables and I get started on cutting and peeling them for the casserole. It's slow going with the cast on my wrist but at least I feel like I'm contributing.

“So. Ace, where did you get your nickname from?”

He looks up at me, then behind me toward Dante before returning his gaze to me. “I never miss a target,” is all he says, still looking at me, gauging my reaction.

I think after being raised on military talk and theory from my dad, what he's implying doesn't affect me how it should. I understand the words he’s saying and that it's implying the target is the enemy, therefore referring to people he has killed.

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