Page 15 of Crimson Tears

When I open them, my resolve hardens. Cillian is not the boy I once knew, and I’m no longer the girl he once loved. The best thing we can both do is focus on the mission at hand, which is saving these kids and maybe killing my father in the process.

My mind calms as I walk into the kitchen to find Boris and Cillian… laughing. It’s not Boris’ fake laugh either, it’s a full on belly laugh.

What in the alternate universe is this?

Stunned, I stand there, my mouth likely hanging open. Cillian notices first and winks at me, pulling me from my statuesque state. Boris lights up when I step into his arms, pressing a firm kiss to my temple before he releases me to get back to flipping pancakes.

“Cillian was just telling me about the time the two of you decided to play hide and seek, but you both thought you were supposed to be hiding.”

His face tilts with a smile and I laugh, remembering that day.

“Oh my gosh, you mean the time our parents had the cops and the entire Irish mafia hunting for our asses while you hid in the cellar and I was in the barn with the chickens?”

Cillian nods, chuckling. “That’s the one.”

I’m kind of surprised when I find no hint of bitterness in his tone. He’s being genuine as he shares that with Boris. I have no idea why that makes my insides turn to jelly, and for some other reason I’m not willing to admit, it causes my cheeks to run hot.

I turn away to keep them from seeing the grin on my face as I set to making everyone’s coffee.

“Evie, Alexi, and Damien are on their way over to talk about the mission and what they overheard on the bug Cillian planted,” Boris informs me as I hand him his cup of espresso.

“Do you know if they got anything off of it?” I ask them both as I start Cillian’s Americano.

Cillian shakes his head. “She didn’t say much to me, but Alexi called his father. I think they want to talk about it all in person so we can come up with a plan.”

I nod as the espresso finishes brewing and pass him his drink, knowing exactly how he likes it without having to ask. Our fingers brush briefly, sending electricity zinging through me, but I ignore it and keep my hands busy while making myself a latte.

“I told them I will be joining in on this one,” Boris informs me.

That brings me some relief. I didn’t want to do the long nights and stakeouts without him. If this job has taught me anything, it’s that having a partner you can trust and rely on is fundamental. I don’t know if I can trust Cillian yet.

“Great,” I say as I take the first sip of gloriously roasted caffeine. Cillian's brows furrow, and I can see he wants to say something. But he keeps it to himself when Boris hands out plates piled high with protein pancakes, fruit, syrup, and a shite ton of bacon.

My mouth waters at the sight of the salty substance I’m sure will kill me if a bullet doesn’t first.

Worth every bite.

I hurry and steal a bite of it first, savoring the flavor as a moan slips from my lips. Boris smiles at me while Cillian chokes on his pancakes.

“She is very easily pleased with food,” Boris announces. This time Cillian turns red, and I know just where his thoughts went. As much as I’m easily pleased with eating, he knows I also love to be the meal.

???

When the doorbell rings, I practically run to it, excited to see my friend. However, when I round the corner, Cillian is standing there with the door wide open, hugging Evie as she and two of her three husbands step into the foyer. She gladly accepts it. I try to hide my shock, but she notices right away.

Since when do either of them hug people willingly like that?

She shrugs. “He sort of just grew on me.”

I shake my head as I move to hug her and she accepts. Evie, nor I, are very touchy people, but there’s something about the touch of a friend that brings comfort even when it’s simple and short.

Friendships in this world are hard to come by though, they’re a special sort of gift I will always cherish.

I step back and Cillian throws an arm around her shoulders, making my teeth grind together.

“Heard you got some news for us, Boss Lady.”

Alexi stands there, looking at Cillian’s arm like he might break it. And Damien, Evie’s other husband, is looking at me. One of his unhinged smiles breaks out and he rushes towards me, bear hugging me and swinging me around.

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