Page 14 of To Catch A Rook

“Great chat!” I called after his retreating form. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, you Barbarian!”

I picked up my phone and tapped into my security cameras to watch him fully leave Lane Enterprises premises and stuff his enormous body into the ridiculous FBI-issued sedan.

Just when I caught a glimpse of a man who wanted to be mine—he withdrew into his cave like a wounded animal. I wouldn’t see him for weeks, if not months, after tonight’s little charade.

I blew out a frustrated breath, releasing every molecule of exasperation from my lungs so I could move on with my evening. Despite the late hour, I had shit to do, and another Kellan tantrum wasn’t going to interfere with the progress I’d made.

I called down to Josephine, my driver, and waited for her to come around to the front entrance with the Land Rover. It was the only safe way for me to travel this time of night, and we had some things to discuss.

My gaze trailed over the now empty parking lot feeds. Despite my grueling work schedule to keep me busy, I couldn’t suppress the slight pang in my heart. No matter our history, as long as Antonio held his future in his hands, Kellan would always walk away.

Coward.

Iheld the squirming eight-month-old in my arms with what I hoped to be a loving embrace. My snotty-nosed nephew wriggled and drooled on my designer dress as he beamed up at me with soft hazel eyes.

I grinned at the cheeky spawn of my best friend and kissed the tip of his nose as the amused group of fathers watched from the other side of their kitchen island.

“He looks good on you, Hilly-Willy.”

Shane—perhaps the most irritating of Winter’s husbands, but a good man, nonetheless—scooped him out of my arms and placed little Noble in the highchair at theother end of the kitchen, already prepped with an array of fresh fruit for his snack.

Winter was in the shower. Cam had gone upstairs to let her know I was here, so I expected her down shortly.

I had arrived early, wanting to get the most of my morning with Winter and her family. We didn’t see each other nearly as much as I would have wanted, between our demanding schedules and the four-hour distance between Carlisle and Brenton, so our monthly morning date was a sacred ritual for both of us.

Sometimes the five men in her life left us alone to catch up. Other times, they stuck around to catch up themselves. In the six years since Cascade Falls, they’d wormed their way beneath my defenses, and I had a tender spot for all of them.

Mostly. Shane still pushed my buttons whenever he could, and Logan—because of our history—knew just what to say to light a fuse; fitting, since our relationship had developed into close sibling territory after all we had gone through.

Cam, Travis, and Drew were sweet, doting husbands and fathers. Too sweet for my tastes, but they treated my best friend like gold. For that, I was grateful.

“Versace looks good on me, Shane.” I moved to make myself a coffee on the beautifully crafted espresso machine I had bought for Winter as a birthday gift. Really, it was a gift to me, so I could guarantee the perfect cup of coffee whenever I visited. “Your son looks good all on his own. I’mhisaccessory.”

Logan snorted and held out his empty mug. I screwed my face up, then took the mug out of his hand. Returning to the coffee grinder, I prepared his coffee the way he enjoyed it best. Strong and bitter—just like him.

“Me too, Hill. Please?” Drew asked hopefully from the other side of Logan.

I turned around and surveyed the four men in front of me. Cam hadn’t returned, and I’d bet shares in my company that he and Winter were enjoying a shower together while I played barista.

Get it, girl.It was far more action than I was getting these days.

“Alright, gentlemen. Give me your drink orders and I’ll make you the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had. But as my tip, let’s talk about Winter. Tell me honestly—how’s she holding up? Talk fast—I don’t know how many orgasms Cam’s promised her.”

Travis shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but of all of them, he would be the first to speak up. “The meds are working. She’s in a much better place right now.”

Winter had been recently diagnosed with prolonged postpartum depression. It had killed me to watch my sassy, fierce friend become a shell of her former self. I had missed all the signs for months—we all had. But now she had six people monitoring her every move.

Shane spoke up as he wiped a gob of smushed mango from the tiled floor. “She’s started her Pilates workouts again. She’s wearing makeup again too, although we’ve all told her she doesn’t need it.”

“No, makeup is good.” I handed a fresh triple-shot espresso to Logan and took a colorful hand-potted mug out of the cupboard for Drew. “That means she wants to take care of herself. Great signs.”

“I can hear you, you know.” Winter strolled into the kitchen with a serene smile plastered to her pretty face, Cam only a step behind. Her auburn hair hung in wet, darkened waves, and her vivid blue eyes brightened when she saw me.

Freshly fucked, indeed.

“If you want to know how I’m doing, Hill, you can just ask me.” She stopped at Noble’s highchair and kissed the top ofhis little blond head. “Or you know, reread the many texts I’ve sent you, telling you how I’m doing.”

I handed Drew his drink and grabbed another mug for Winter. “You lie, Sweets. I have backup in case I think you’re trying to spare my feelings.”

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