Page 83 of Hell Hath No Fury

His hand nudges my head, and I lift up, sliding close as his arms come around me, pulling me against his side.

We lie there like that, wrapped around each other, lost in our thoughts until, after a while, I say, “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Where did you learn that trick with the shirt and bra?”

He falls silent, and I crane my head back so I can see his face. He looks a bit sheepish, so I poke him in his side, and finally, he admits, “Tony.”

Frowning, I parrot, “Tony?”

He laughs lightly. “Yes, the guys and I were hanging out and got to talking about ways to restrain you ladies when we’re not prepared.”

Chuckling, I shake my head, muttering, “The fucking wild shit you guys talk about.”

“In all fairness, I wasn’t really part of the overall conversation. I was just listening. And I’m sure it working out was just beginner’s luck. I had no fucking idea what I was doing.”

“Well then, you get a gold star for being an amateur.”

His arms tighten around me, and he places a kiss on the top of my head. I cuddle closer, pressing my face into his pec and inhaling the comforting scent of us deep into my lungs, a sense of completeness rushing over me. “I love you, you know.”

“I know.”

He turns toward me but says nothing further as he wraps me tightly in his embrace, and I smile, my eyes closing as I accept what I’m feeling in this moment.

Power.

36

Some Little Things

Antonio

Thatwasunexpected.

Unexpected in the best way possible, but for a moment, I was concerned it would all blow up in my face and I’d be forced to start over. That she would decide it was all a mistake and shut me out like she’s been doing for decades.

My heart aches at the thought.

I managed to sleep for a few hours, her warmth wrapped around me. I’ve been lying here for a half hour, staring into the predawn light, enjoying the last remnants of calm before the inevitable chaos comes back to consume us.

My phone lights up on the table next to me. Picking it up, I glance at the screen to see Tony has sent me a message.

Tony: You hungover or you wanna eat?

Antonio: I’m always ready to eat

Antonio: Who’s cooking?

Tony: I am, duh

Antonio: Thank god

Tony: 30

Antonio: 10-4

“Something I need to know about?” Lilith murmurs sleepily from the curve of my arm.

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