Page 43 of Hounds Ascend
“Come on, you two love birds. Let’s start unloading,” Snapper says, walking past us toward the front door.
I sigh and rest my head on Cass’s chest for half a second. “Ugh.”
“Come on, baby. Let’s make this place a home.” Cass kissesmy forehead again and walks out the front door behind the rest of the guys.
Within five hours, everything is unloaded, arranged, and damn near unpacked. These guys are fucking rockstars because there’s no way in hell I could’ve done all of this without their help. From Leo helping Cass hang things on the wall to Snapper organizing boxes and putting them in their according rooms, the amount of help that they offered was more than I could’ve dreamed.
The house is beginning to feel more like ours with all of my things and the guys here. Cass has already selected the room we’ll use for his man cave and the guys had started lugging boxes in there while I work on our bedroom that’s quickly becoming a wreck. With boxes everywhere, both empty and full, I’m hanging clothes in the closet and putting away knickknacks.
I’ve stayed out of the way as they packed boxes and furniture inside. Staying out of the way meant staying away from Cass and although I’m grateful the guys are here to help, I’m ready for them to go so I can start christening every square inch of our home, but that isn’t in the cards today.
The doorbell chimes and I hear someone holler about getting the door. Good thing, too, because I’m half buried in clothes on the closet floor. After I dig myself out of the mountain of our clothes, I emerge from the bedroom and follow the sound of voices. The guys are once again gathered around the island and the bar in the kitchen. That seems to be the most popular hangout spot in the house so far. This time,though, Clayton and Brock stand there as well.
“Hey, Lilly,” Clayton says, walking over to hug me.
“Hey!”
I embrace Brock’s hug immediately following Clayton’s, then look around. It appears I’ve interrupted something. I move closer to Cass.
“I was just coming to see who was here. I’m going to finish with our closet now,” I point toward the master bedroom and begin to walk away but Cass stops me by grabbing my wrist.
“The guys were just talking about how hungry they are. Do you want to stop for a little bit to go grab a bite to eat?”
“Food sounds perfect. It has been a while since breakfast, huh?” I ask rhetorically, rubbing my stomach.
“Alright, where are we going to eat?” he asks.
“How about pizza?” Leo’s suggestion is approved all the way around.
“Pizza it is. There’s a pizza buffet in town, y’all wanna follow me?”
With a few “yeahs” and “uhhuhs” we’re out the door and on the bikes, headed to dinner. With the exception of Scott, Snapper, and Shorty who rode in the truck because they hadn’t shown up on their bikes.
The pizza buffet is relatively dead, with only one couple sitting down to eat and one leaving as we walk inside. My phone chimes as soon as I sit down. While everyone else fixes their plate, I look at my phone. A text from Raven.
Raven: We’re on our way to your side of town, but I’mnot supposed to say anything. So don’t say a word. But something is going on. Cass called for backup.
Chapter Eight
Lilly
Isit through dinner quietly while the guys chat about different things going on. I don’t pay much attention to what’s being said, though, until Snapper says something about junkies. He has my full and undivided attention now, but I make sure to control my face and not react. I want to hear whatever it is he’s going to say. Since he’s sitting a few chairs away, I assume he thinks I’m out of earshot, or that I’m not paying attention because he begins discussing their plans, informing Leo and Shorty of their part in the war.
“We’ve got guys coming in to help shut these fuckers up for good. Leo, they have a member that lives two streets over from you. You’re going to make sure that he has a…malfunction when he leaves his house in the morning.”
I can’t see Leo’s reaction since I’m being nonchalant about eavesdropping and he doesn’t speak a word.
“Shorty, you’re going to take care of their junkie prospects. They have three of them and we’re gaining intel on their whereabouts right now. When we know more, you’re on it.”
“Why are you being so quiet tonight?” Cass’s question cuts through anything else that was being said in the conversation Iwas listening in on.
I glance up to meet his eyes. “I didn’t realize I was. I’m over here in my own world, eating good pizza, enjoying good company.” I shrug nonchalantly, hoping like hell that I’m convincing.
“It’s just odd for you. Have you heard from Mindy today?” Cass asks.
Shit. No. Damnit I’m such a shitty friend. I’m too caught up in my new house and the club to check on her.
“Fuck. No, I haven’t. Thanks for reminding me, baby. I’m going to give her a call when we get home.”
