Page 52 of Stutter

Damon’s face falls. “I- What’s wrong with me?”

Maverick and I burst into laughter again, Damon realizing he’s fucking with him again and shakes his head in annoyance, throwing his hands up. “Children. Both of you.”

“Awww, c’mon Daddy Damon, you could do worse than Mavie.”

“I-don’tcall me that.” Damon doesn’t take the crumb, almost growling my way.

Our laughter is set aside; Maverick does quirk a brow in thought. “Other than Detective Arlo, who could be staking us?”

“I’m thinking Riordan. He’s done it before. He’s off house arrest. His family's estate is in Salem.”

Mavnods, doing his casual one-arm-over-his-chest-the-other-resting-on-it-to-put-his-chin-in-his-hand-while-he-thinks thing that makes me think that’s what he used to look like while gazing at a victim board trying to string the pieces together. “He has motive…” I’ve never seen him so pensive. “But, if he’s embarrassed the family enough… would he risk sleeping in his car during ablizzardto stake us out?”

“No. Riordan's on the spectrum. He has a routine and hates being uncomfortable.”

“And nobody saw you?”

“I doubt it. I was in full gear when I let Kronos out. If anything, whoever is in the car wouldn’t have been able to differentiate us. We’re all of a similar build with winter gear on. I beat Damon by barely an inch and beat you by two, maybe.”

“D-Damon?” We hear from the stairs to see my baby with her hand on the banister, those eyes all big and doe-like when she steps on the landing. Fuck she looks immaculate, wearing my sweats, Mav's RMU sweatshirt and her hair in a messy bun. She kisses Mav who she’s closest to, then me, and stops in front of her old doctor.

Damon looks down at Raven and an easy smile spreads on his face. “Hello, little bird.” She goes to him, and they share a kiss, but he holds her a little longer when she pulls back to rest her hands on his chest. “What is it?”

Just then her stomach let’s out an inhuman growl and he grins.

“I left you a charcuterie board of fruits, meat, cheese and snacks ready. I was going to bring it to you after your lecture. Go up, Little Love, I’ll bring it to you in a moment.”

She jumps happily and gives him a big kiss that turns into soft nibbles before she turns to me, does the same, rubs her nose against mine and then to Maverick, whispering ‘I love you,’ against his lips. He swats her on the butt, grabbing a handful and I regret not doing the same before she’s taking the stairs back up two at a time.

We all watch her leave.

Mav wastes not a breath before returning to our conversation. “If the person outside is watching and aware I’m here… I need to make a show of leaving. Damon and I are supposedly together. It makes sense if they see me leaving. They won’t question it. I’ll need to leave tonight. Come back tomorrow. Which is fine, I need more clothes anyway.”

Damon shakes his head. “To make it more believable we both need to be seen at the other's house.”

“Damon, if you’re questioned-"

“Fortunately, I’m a very honest person. I give just enough of the truth where it won’t make it seem like I’m lying.” Damon interrupts the professor.

Mav cants his wrist to check is watch and grunts. “My last lecture of the day begins in twenty. There goes my lunch break.”

Spending the last few days I’ve noticed he has a lot of pent-up aggression. I understand – in so many ways – why Damon once said he’s more Neanderthal than man. Damon makes a motion for me to follow him to the kitchen. I sit on a barstool as he goes to the coffee maker and starts putting everything together for our girl. He opens a cupboard and reaches into the tallest cupboard, reaching so far inside he’s on the tips of his toes. He pulls out a little K-cup.

“What’s that?”

“I give Little Bird decaf in the afternoons.”

I gasp dramatically. “You monster!”

He tips his head back and laughs, “She’s already riddled with anxiety, this helps her with that and with her sleep. This way she isn’t tossing and turning.”

“And you can wake her up the special way with your big old dick? I gotta tell ya, kinda sucks sometimes when I want to roll over and wake her up with mine but you’re already in there.”

He turns to face me as the Keurig begins pouring water into Raven’s purple“I Went to RMU and All I Got Was Anal”mug I purchased for her at a novelty shop that always puts a smile on her face. “You can always do your best to slip inside, Jonas.”

I raise a brow and smirk. “Is that an invite?”

He rolls his eyes and goes back to making her cup of lies. “I’m just saying she wouldn’t say no. C’mon. While this cools down a bit why don’t you show me where the sedan is located so I can also keep an eye on it.”

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