Page 109 of Beautiful Scar

“You really like this, huh?” His expression softens. “Gotta say, it suits you.”

“What, you approve of my marriage now?”

“Not even close.” He stalks out of the kitchen.

I sigh, picking up the remaining bowls and following.

It’s been good having Evan around. He’s staying in a Brotherhood safe house a few blocks away with some of his most trusted men while Tigran and Arsen figure out how best to put this new firepower to use.

In the meantime, we’ve been having regular meals together, and it’s almost… normal.

If anything in this life can be called that.

Tigran’s waiting at the table. When he spots me, he leaps to his feet. “Let me take that,” he says hurriedly. Once the bowls are down, he pulls my chair out for me. “Sit now, you’ve done more than enough.”

“Quit fussing,” I say, waving him off, but he just ignores me as he prepares my meal the way I like. Pepper, a little extra salt, and a big dollop of cheese. He gets my glass of water and even makes sure I take my prenatal vitamins.

Once that dance is over, he finally sits.

Evan’s leaning back in his chair, watching the whole exchange with a deep frown. He says nothing though, only starts eating once we’re settled.

“How are the men liking Baltimore?” I ask him, doing my best to keep things casual.

“They’re fine. Not getting into trouble yet.”

“Give them time,” Tigran says with a grunt.

“My experience is, if you give a soldier a task, they’re less likely to find a nasty distraction.”

Tigran’s jaw works. “We’re still discussing how best to utilize your people.”

“I already told you. We came down here to fight. None of my men want to sit around the safe house eating takeout and watching TV. They’re bored, and bored men are dangerous men.”

“As we already discussed?—”

“Please, don’t start this again,” I say, exasperated. “All you two do is bicker.”

“Tell your husband to quit dragging his feet.” Tigran leans forward, expression hard. “You know where the McGraths are holed up. Point in their direction, and we’ll do the rest.”

“If it were that simple,himar tgha, we would have killed the Irish already.”

“That’s why you came begging for my help then,naglyy mudak, isn’t it?”

“Ya znayu chto eto znachit, gad!” Tigran snaps back. “Watch your mouth in my home.”

“Stop it,” I say sharply, glaring between them. “Evan, lay off. He wants your help, but they’re trying to do this the right way. And you, Tigran, stop acting like he’s the enemy. My brother’s here to help.”

Both men lapse into surly silence. They’ve been like this the last few days. It’s getting very annoying, if I’m honest. I almost wishthey’d slap their dicks down and get the measuring contest over with so we can all move on.

Dinner’s tense after that. I do my best to make small talk, just to ease some of the awkwardness. When we’re finished eating, Tigran insists on cleaning everything in the kitchen.

“You’ve done enough,” he murmurs, kissing my cheek. “Stay here and rest.”

“Thank you, darling.”

Once Tigran’s in the kitchen, I turn on Evan. He’s in the middle of refilling his wine glass when I bark at him. “Why do you keep antagonizing my husband?”

“I didn’t realize I was.” He’s trying not to smile, though, as he takes a drink and smacks his lips. “Good stuff.”

---