Page 34 of Meet Your Maker: Part One

I glance at Sunday. She’s openly staring, her lips parting just slightly. And suddenly, I’m not just seeing Grayson—I’mfeelinghim. Feeling Sunday’s reaction vibrate through the bond, her longing hitting me like a sucker punch. It’s not just physical.

I’m jealous.Just a little.I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever pull focus the way he does—if anyone could ever look at me like that, like they’re caught in a Xavier-centric solar system.

It’s a stupid thought, ridiculous and beneath me, and yet here I am, wiping at Sunday’s mouth like I’m not tangled in that same mess of want.Wipe your own drool before helping others with theirs.

She glares at me, clearly annoyed, but recovers quickly, turning her attention back to Grayson. “Hey baby, we were just going to play a game and have a nosh. How are you feeling?”

Grayson stretches his arms high above his head, his muscles rippling as he tests the limits of the jet’s low ceiling. His shirt rides up just enough to reveal a sliver of toned abs, the movement so deliberate it’s impossible to miss the smirk tugging at his lips. There’s nothing casual about it—he knows exactly the effect he’s having, and he’s reveling in it.

I notice the tight pull of his shirt across his chest—I mean, I’d have to be dead not to—and casually kick a leg across my knee, skillfully masking any reaction he might be pulling out of me.

Ben chokes back a laugh. “All three of you are ridiculous,” he mutters, shaking his head in amused disbelief.

Grayson ignores Ben entirely, his focus on Sunday. “I’ve certainly woken up in worse places,” he says, leaning down tokiss her. His smile softens, the edges of his usual intensity smoothing into something gentler. “And I’m looking forward to seeing my chyld—and no doubt, enduring her mockery.”

Sunday grins, her eyes lighting up. “I’ll just bet you are. I can’t wait to get my hands on Colt. Still not sure if I’ll be smacking him or hugging him, but—damn, I mean darn—I’ve missed him.” Her gaze flicks to Mishka, checking to see if he caught her slip.

“Daddy said Bane’s already called and set up a time for the portal from Dae for tomorrow night,” she adds, her tone shifting to something more thoughtful.

It suddenly occurs to me that I have no idea where we’re staying. The farm is Colton’s house, and last I checked, it was already packed with Wade, Arcadia, and the girls. “Is your father’s place still full of holes?”

“Nope. Much less breezy now,” Sunday replies with a little smirk. “He got the all-clear to move them back today. But honestly, the girls seem to be thriving on the farm. He’s not looking forward to uprooting them again.”

Tomas asks the question already forming in my mind. “So, where are we bunking down tonight?”

“The plan is to stay at the farm for now,” Sunday replies, a hint of worry creeping into her voice. “And then… well, I guess we’ll need to find something bigger. Something more permanent.” She pauses, her brow furrowing slightly. “Maybe we could start by looking for a rental? Just until we figure out what we’re doing, you know?”

Tomas reaches across the table, his hand closing over hers in a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry, Trouble,” he says, his voice gentle and steady. “We’ll find the perfect place for all of us. Somewhere we can all call home.”

Grayson nods, his smile warm and easy. “Indeed. And we have plenty of resources at our disposal.” He winks at Sunday. “We’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

Sunday laughs, shaking her head. “I’ll settle for a roof over our heads and a comfy bed.” She glances out the window, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “I can’t wait to be home.”

Mishka finally speaks up, his small voice hesitant. “Do you think… I’ll have my own room?” He doesn’t quite look at Tomas, his eyes focused somewhere near the floor. The question lingers in the air, fragile, as though he’s bracing himself for disappointment.

Sunday catches it immediately, her face softening as she turns toward him. “Oh, sweetheart,” she says gently. “When we get to our forever house, you’re going to have the best room—the warmest, coziest, coolest room you can imagine. We’ll make sure of it.”

Mishka nods, seemingly mollified. His small fingers dig into the Risk box, pulling out the folded map. He spreads it across the table, his brow furrowing as he studies the sprawling continents.

“Umm, guys,” Mishka asks hesitantly, his small finger tracing the bold lettering on the map. “This says Asia, but… I thought there were lots of countries here?”

Grayson leans in, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “There are. The map just simplifies things for the game.”

Mishka frowns, his finger sweeping across the wide expanse of Asia. “But it’s so big. How do you take over all of it?”

Grayson’s smile deepens, a glint of something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “Well, I believe Alexander the Great once said, ‘There is nothing impossible to him who will try.’ He thought Asia could be conquered because he dared to try.”

Beside me, Ben shakes his head, muttering something that sounds like, “Of course he would.”

Mishka’s eyes widen, his lips parting in awe. “And did he do it?”

Grayson nods slowly, his voice softening. “He took more of it than most ever dreamed. But in the end, even he couldn’t hold itall.” His gaze drifts to the map, his smile fading slightly, as if he’s seeing something none of us can.

Mishka considers this for about point three seconds before grabbing a handful of brightly colored pieces. “Well, I’m going to try.”

Grayson’s expression softens again, his hand reaching out to ruffle Mishka’s hair. “That’s the spirit, little conqueror.”

Chapter Fourteen

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