I laugh as I finger the new ring at the base of my finger. It doesn’t feel one bit foreign. Rather, it settles my heart.
As long as I’m with Cole, I’m home.
Chapter 46
Diversify
Two Months Later
Cole
I look through the house—literally through the house—since it’s nothing but studs, to find Bella and Abbott twirling in circles in what will be the new sunroom off the back.
Plans are coming along … fucking slow as hell.
At this point, if Jarvis finishes his Garage-Mahal and MacMansion before we can have a normal-ass house built, I won’t be surprised.
Bombs don’t exactly fit into the details of homeowners insurance. Normal paperwork turned into a ball of crimson duct tape. I thought we were going to end up being Crew and Addy’s weird-ass step kids who never move out.
But tomorrow, sheetrock.
You know teenage boys and wet dreams? Yeah, well that’s what sheetrock is to me right now.
I guess it makes me an official adult at the age of thirty-five.
“Daddy, let’s go see my room! I have my own bathroom!”
“What are you?” I ask. “Fifteen?”
She skips by me and tags my hand in the process, dragging me up the stairs. I won’t let her go by herself because of the lack of railings and walls and everything else to keep her safe. This place is a concussion waiting to happen.
“Not too long, love,” Bella calls from what will be the kitchen. “I have to be back for a meeting soon.”
Abbott pulls me into her room. Bella and I went round and round when we were designing the house. I wanted to stick with the budget we had from insurance. I’m no paid assassin with millions in the bank to build garages bigger than houses. But every time I went back to the plans, Bella was moving walls, adding a bathroom here, an extra closet there, and she’s basically salivating for a pantry like Keelie’s. She assured me we’ll need these upgrades when Abbott is a teenager and our sperm-egg raves start to multiply. She then straddled my lap and told me she wanted to contribute to the house. How she worked hard, did nothing fun, and was sitting on a mountain of cash.
I just don’t want to forget where I came from.
But if she wanted an extra bedroom, bath, bigger closets, and a pantry the size of a barn, who was my cock to disagree? Because when she straddles my lap, he makes all the decisions.
That’s why we’re on to bigger and way better things. But anything with Bella and Abbott is better.
Abbott tours me through the upstairs even though I know every square inch in my head—down to the light switches—before I carry her down to the main floor.
Bella beams. “It’s going to be beautiful.”
I smile back. “It’s also going to be soundproof. Let’s get you to your meeting.”
Bella
I walk up the steps to Crew’s headquarters. The old house has become a sentimental place for me. So many memories have been made here—both life-changing and heartbreaking.
Walking through the front door solo is monumental. Crew stands at the head of the dining room table. Asa flanks his left and Grady his right. Jarvis is next to Grady and I’m surprised to see Ozzy. He’s been traveling the world on assignments for most of the last two months.
Everyone’s eyes are on me.
Only me.
Crew is positioned in his normal weird stance that I find maddening at times—both casual and alert. He notes, “Carson’s not here.”
I join them in the dining room and stand at the opposite side of the table as Crew. “No. I’m sorry. He’s made his decision.”
Again, with no emotion, Crew lifts his chin.
I go on to explain. “Since he’s not taking a position with you, he didn’t feel he belonged here.”
Crew barely narrows his eyes. “But you’re here.”
I pull in a breath. “Yes. I officially resigned from SIS. I’m a free agent.”
It’s small, but I don’t miss it when Crew smiles.
I go on. “And Cole wanted me to express his gratitude. I’m sure he’ll speak with you privately. He also wanted me to tell you that you now have a partner inside the CIA.”
“I’ve always had him inside the CIA,” Crew bounces back.
I shrug. “Yes, but now it will be like never before. Consider yourself upgraded to Platinum Status.”
Crew nods. “That’s good.”
“He feels he can be of more use there, on the inside. Whatever you’ll need, you’ll get, Crew.”
Grady glances at Crew. “That’ll be helpful.”
Crew nods. “It will. What does he want in return?”