Berets bred with wolverines. “Those guys are pretty badass,” I remark mildly. “How long did you serve?”
Dan looks at me a long time, like he’s deciding something. I hold his gaze, not willing to blink first.
“I don’t like to talk about it,” he says stiffly.
“Fair enough.” Not like I’m a huge fan of rehashing my years of active duty, or the reasons I left.
I’m deciding whether to probe again when Sean stands up. “I’m putting in another round of bourbon-glazed wings,” he says. “Who wants more?”
A few hands are raised, Dan’s included. He’s careful not to jostle the bunny on his lap. I consider what Izzy made me promise about not telling her brothers Dante’s a hitman. I kept my word, but it’s clear they’ve done some sleuthing on their own. Probably a background check, courtesy of Austin, and maybe some voodoo lawyer shit from James. How much do they know?
Beside me, Mark shoves half a cupcake in his mouth and stares at Dan as he chews. “You paid through the end of the month.” It’s a statement, not a question, so Dan doesn’t respond. “You here working on something in particular?”
Dante takes his time answering, stroking a hand down the bunny’s back. “More of a recon mission.”
I’m trying to decide how to read that when James responds. “We’d certainly never dissuade a guest from an extended stay,” he says. “But this place isn’t exactly budget-friendly.”
“I’m aware.” Dan looks down at his lap. “What kind of rabbit is this?”
Mark frowns. “Bunny mutt.”
“That’s a breed?”
He shrugs. “Got him at the Humane Society. He has a litterbox and everything.”
Dan’s face shows the first real flicker of emotion I’ve seen all night. “No kidding?” He shakes his head slowly. “Pigs and rabbits living in the house. The rest of you have odd pets, too?”
Sean shrugs. “Three-legged cat.”
“Cats here, too.” Jon grins. “Five of them. Don’t judge.”
“We’re the dog guys.” Austin jerks a thumb at James. “And Brandon has his hands full of reindeer, though I’m pretty sure they don’t go in the house.”
“Reindeer?” Dan’s eyes widen. “Real ones?”
I don’t know whether to be charmed or freaked out by this guy’s interest in animals. If it weren’t for the fact that he kills people for a living, I could see us being pals.
“So you’re an animal guy,” I say. “Usually the mark of a decent human.”
Dante looks at me a long time. “Is that so?”
I shrug. “In my experience.”
“Huh.” He frowns, looking thoughtful. “Can’t say that’s true,” he says slowly. “But I sure like ‘em. Pigs especially.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, but Brandon pipes up. “We’ve got pigs and goats and some sheep out at the reindeer ranch,” he says. “Come over sometime. We’ll give you a tour.”
Sean laughs. “If you’re real nice, maybe Brandon’ll put on his Santa suit.”
There’s some jostling between the two, which is par for the course between two guys who married sisters. They couldn’t be more different, Sean and Brandon, which makes sense. The King sisters aren’t much alike either, though the bond between them is one I’ve admired my whole life.
What was Izzy’s life like, growing up an only child? I can’t imagine it, being raised without a sibling. Just having someone to share experiences, to go through life together—it makes me want to go home and call Julia just to check on her.
“I think I’m gonna take off.” Dan stands up cautiously, cradling Long Long Peter like a delicate loaf of bread. “Is it okay to just put him on the ground?”
Mark gives a gruff nod. “Probably has to take a dump.”
I watch Dan’s face as he eases the animal onto the floor, then looks on as Peter bunny-hops into the family room where his litter box is. I might be imagining things, but there’s a wistful look on Dante’s face. “Pets are the best.”
No one says anything to that because it’s kind of a weird thing for a hitman to volunteer. Also, it’s getting late.
“I should go, too.” Sean lays his cards down and stands up with a sheepish look. “Gotta work on that baby thing.”
James frowns. “There’s a level of detail I definitely did not need.”
Laughing, Jon gets up as well. “That’s my cue. We’ve got wedding shit to do. Can’t believe it’s coming up so fast.”
It dawns on me Dante is the only one in this room who’s not attending the wedding. Is it weird to worry about hurting a hitman’s feelings? He looks like he’s just read my mind and