Page 135 of The Payback

“I’m just wrapping up the most important one, then I’ll put the fun ones in a hat and draw like that.”

“I thought you were taking time off?” Nik asks.

“Different job,” Max answers. “This one is more... productive in nature.”

I look at Olivia and then down at her flat stomach. She reaches across the table and punches me in the arm. “Not that kind of productive.”

Raising my hands in surrender, I laugh. “Can’t blame me for wanting Bella to have a cousin.”

“We have something to show you tomorrow. You’ll stay with us tonight since you have nowhere to be right away.”

“Uh, Ollie,” I say. “I kind of planned on us staying here for a little while to decompress. I know I didn’t ask, but when have you ever been able to say no to me? Especially since it was my idea that brought your harem all together.” I wink, and she smirks.

“Oh no, I’m kicking you out tomorrow, but it’ll be good, I promise.”

With that, she moves on, not sharing details of the jobs she’s looking at—I am still an Interpol agent, after all—but giving us enough to pique my interest.

How cool would it be to do what Ollie does? It might not be strictly legal, but she doesn’t take on violent cases, just hack and grabs, a bit of undercover work, and a whole lot of excitement.

Bella nods off in Nik’s arms, and Max leads us to the room the four of us are sharing. It’s got Bella’s stuff along the side and a big ass bed, large enough to fit all three of us without touching. I refuse to let an inch of space between us now that we’re all together the way we’re supposed to be.

Nik uses the bathroom and then Dimitri goes next. I change Bella’s nappy and wipe her face with a warm washcloth before singing a soft lullaby and putting her in the pack-and-play beside the bed. Once the washroom is free, I head inside and catch a look at myself in the mirror.

The woman smiling back at me is a far cry from how I looked even six months ago. I’m still me. Still a mother, still Ollie’s best friend, and still an agent, but right now, I look like so much more. I lookhappy.

And it’s not because of the men waiting for me in the bed, silent as mice, because Nik spoke when we got into the room, and Bella stirred as if she was going to wake up.

It’s because I feel like I’ve finally got closure on the Nik chapter from before. He’s a different man than he was when we were partners. He’s himself, which is more than I could have asked for.

His concern is for Bella and me, and his reunion with Dimitri without secrets and grudges between them has sparked something in him I’ve never seen before. He’s lighter, somehow. And while I know he will carry some of his tendencies into this new life, I can only be there for him how I would want him to support me when I struggle.

Dimitri, as I’ve thought before, was completely unexpected, but his constancy is something I need in my life. Where Nik is a wildfire, Dimitri is a controlled blaze. He is methodical in his life, unending in his loyalty, and believes in doing the right thing.

Together, the three of us make sense. We balance each other in a way I’ve never experienced before, and I never want to give them up. But I will hold true to my original intentions. If they wish to start their lives elsewhere, I won’t begrudge them leaving. For so long they’ve been shackled to their responsibilities and roles.

It would stifle anyone, but add in the life-threatening pressure, and the last thing I want is for them to feel unfairly tied to me.

I finish my routine, using Ollie’s incredible skin care products, and open the bathroom door. Nik and Dimitri are having one of their silent conversations with their eyebrows, and as I watch, I understand them.

Nik:Isn’t Bella perfect?

Dimitri:So perfect. You’re going to be a great dad.

Nik:So are you. Stop holding back.

Dimitri:I’m not holding back.

Nik:Fucking liar. She’s yours, too. We’re in this together—me, you, Ellie, and Bella.

Dimitri:So sentimental in your old age.

Nik shoves Dimitri’s shoulder, and I step forward, drawing their attention with my addition to the conversation. You are both mine, and I am yours. Bella isours. Stop arguing in front of the baby, and be nice.

They smile at me, their expressions full of joy.

Dimitri curls a finger and beckons me to them. I climb onto the foot of the bed and crawl towards them. The looks they exchange are easy to decipher as they watch me sway my hips and exaggerate my movements. Yes, we’ll play with that in the future because as much as I fought against it when Dimitri ordered me to crawl in the penthouse’s living room, I can’t deny that it turned me on, too.

I love having their attention on me and being the one to bring them to their knees.

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