Page 60 of Mitchell
Todd came into the kitchen through a door that led out to the backyard and the pool area. The guesthouse was just beyond the pool area. He took one look at them and turned the other way.
"I meant it."
"I can feel it." Seryn rubbed his chest as if it ached. "No one has ever said it before."
"Then you need to hear it all the time." People were cruel. Mitchell's new mission in life was to make sure Seryn never had to experience cruelty ever again. "I love you, Seryn."
Seryn closed the distance, hugging Mitchell. "I love you too. I think."
Mitchell kissed the top of his head. "It's okay if you don't recognize it. Maybe after you get back from your hunt, we'll talk some more."
"That would be helpful. And can we talk about what it feels like to be annoyed? Because I'm pretty sure I was annoyed with you just now."
Mitchell chuckled. "We'll talk about the difference between annoyance, frustration, and anger."
Seryn sucked in a breath. "Maybe I was frustrated."
"Not angry?"
Seryn shook his head. "I can't be angry with you."
People entered the room. Mitchell's back was to them, so he wasn't sure who it was. All he heard was shuffling feet until Jude said, "I don't know. Mitchell has a knack for pissing people off."
Mitchell held up his middle finger in Jude's general direction, making Jude snort.
Seryn lifted away and shook his head. "I'd never hurt you like that."
Mitchell cupped Seryn's cheek. "I know you wouldn't."
"Who said anything about hurting someone? I thought you were talking about being mad at Mitchell. And believe me, Mitchell is very capable of making someone mad, including you, Seryn."
Seryn turned that fake smile onto Jude. "When I get angry, I hurt people."
Mitchell drew Seryn over to his stool. "We'll work on not killing people when you're angry."
"Can it be after I kill everyone who has ever hurt you?"
"Sure, baby."
"Thank you, Daddy." Seryn kissed Mitchell before he sat on the stool again. He seemed satisfied with himself.
I love you.
Seryn's smile was genuine.I know. I think I might love you, too.
That was good enough for Mitchell.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mitchell watched as Raylee turned more and more clingy toward Jude. Raylee clearly wanted to swim, but Jude wanted to sunbathe. Raylee stayed in the water at first, swimming close to where Jude was. Todd and Evan hung out with them. Todd was a bit more socially intelligent than Evan, so he recognized something was happening with Raylee. He went into the pool even though he'd just gotten out and started chatting with Raylee. That took Raylee's mind off whatever was bothering him. But it didn't last long. He strayed closer to Jude every few minutes and then finally got out and lay on the lounger next to Jude. But that didn't last long either. Jude patted his lounger and then opened his legs. Raylee lay in between them with his back to Jude's front.
Jude whispered something to him. Mitchell didn't hear what it was. But eventually, Raylee settled.
He smiled at Mitchell when he caught him watching. Since it was sort of awkward, Mitchell decided just to ask. "Are you alright? Do you need anything? Something to eat or drink?"
Raylee waved him off. "I'm fine. Just being ridiculous."
"You're not ridiculous, Raylee." Jude met Mitchell's gaze. "It wasn't too long ago that Daruss went on a job and got in trouble. Raylee and I had to save his life. I think maybe we have a little PTSD or something."
