Page 74 of Reaper Flame

“That’s your choice,” Zander said, then smirked. “But I’ll make it worth your while.”

He liked a challenge, and flirting in front of the others didn’t phase him.

“So, about Hiram—” Rocky began.

“We’re not talking about that tonight.” Zander silenced him, dropping his fork with a bang. “No business talk at the table.”

“But don’t you feel weird?” I asked. “Should we really be enjoying ourselves after everything that’s happened?”

“Red was right about what he said earlier. Bad things make you realize what’s really important,” West said. “We deserve to have a night off and celebrate our girl coming home.”

“Without her wanting to kill Zander,” Rocky chipped in, making West choke on a mouthful as Zander sent him a frosty glare.

“Who says I don’t want to kill Zander?” I teased.

“If the rocking boat was anything to go by...” West’s voice trailed off, and my cheeks pinked. My disappearance from the engagement party hadn’t gone unnoticed by everyone.

“We’re all together again,” Zander said with an air of finality. “That’s all that matters.”

A few days ago, we’d been on a yacht. Before that, I thought Rocky was dead and wanted Zander to join him. Someday soon, Hiram would be coming and we had to be ready. But maybe the guys were right...

We shouldn’t waste a fucking minute.

It didn’t take us long to eat as we were all starving. Zander eyed my empty plate as I ran my fingers around the edges to mop up the extra sauce.

“Did you enjoy my cooking?” he asked.

I popped my finger in my mouth as an answer and watched his pupils dilate. I may be outnumbered by dicks, but I had all the freaking power. This is why men worked so hard to keep women oppressed. They feared what would happen in a world where we had control.

“What’s up next?” West cleared his throat. “A game of poker?”

“A smoke?” Rocky suggested.

“How about we let Candy decide?” Zander said.

All eyes fell on me.

“Why don’t we clean up before Vixen decides to castrate you all?” I suggested.

Zander grinned and reclined in his chair. “The cook never cleans up!”

“Fine, I’ll wash,” Rocky groaned and stood, starting to gather our dishes. When he reached the kitchen, he threw West a towel. “You can dry.”

I frowned. “Don’t you have a dishwasher?”

“It’s broken,” Rocky replied.

Is this how ordinary people lived? Eating a nice meal and washing up together? While it may be someone else’s idea of normal, it was another universe compared to what we were used to.

I jumped up. “I’ll help.”

“No!” the guys cried in unison like I’d declared a lifetime vow of celibacy.

“I’m all for smashing gender constructs, but there’s nothing wrong with me helping,” I said, flipping my hair over my shoulder. “I don’t need you to do everything for me!”

Zander rose and blocked my path to the sink. West and Rocky’s eyes watched us closely, unsure what Zander’s next move would be.

“Then tell us, little one...” Zander purred, stroking my cheek. “Whatcanwe do for you?”

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