Page 592 of Lodestar

“Plus, Savannah loves her.”

“I know. I listened to them talk about Enid Blyton last night. It was… disturbing.”

“Why was it?” I asked, amused.

“Because Lyra was talking and Savannah knew way too much about kids’ books.”

I snorted but said, “I’m glad Liam made it.”

“I’m surprised. Didn’t think he would. He’s still pissed about the trade.”

“Not sure how he can be pissed when his new team outplays the old team. Men are so irrational.”

“I hope you’re not including me in that.”

“You’re many things, sweetheart, but irrational ain’t one of them.”

“Now it’s my turn to have heartburn.”

For a second, I just blinked at him. Then I realized what he meant. “Huh.”

“Huh?”

I smiled. “I’ve gotten used to the heartburn.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“Good. When you say that sweet shit, it doesn’t feel weird in my chest anymore. It’s just… my new normal.”

His grin wasn’t cocky, not like it could have been. Instead, it was warm. Heartfelt. Fuck, it went deeper than that.

It washome.

Hewas home.

The last couple months since Anton’s death had been a race against time to clear out the Brothers in Interpol.

In that time, we’d grown closer than ever. I mean, it wasn’t as if I hadn’t recognized that. But it was only now that I felt it. Deep in my fucking bones.

Leaning down to press a kiss to his lips, I whispered, “I love you, Conor.”

“I never get tired of hearing that,” he mumbled. “I love you too, baby.”

Closing my eyes, I pushed my face into his throat, enjoying how, in his arms, I was allowed to be me. Not the hacker, or the spy, or the soldier. Just me. I could be weak. I could be vulnerable. I could even be fragile.

He accepted every inch of me.

Squeezing him, I muttered, “I think we should stay here all day.”

“Tough. You dragged my ass up here so we’re going to have fun.”

“And you sayI’mthe contrary one.”

He slapped my butt. “Imagine what Lyra would think if you didn’t show your face, hmm?”

I grimaced. “Good point. She’s only just started to look brighter, hasn’t she?”

“I think Anton made more of an impact than we anticipated.”

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