touch disheveled and Lavender wondered if there was a fight or if they were fooling around. Perhaps both... Lavender decided as Paul watched Reginald out of the corner of his eye then blushed when Reginald licked his lips lewdly.
“Would you care for a drink, Lord Marston?” Alon asked. Reginald hummed thoughtfully as he pretended to consider the decanters.
“I suppose I’ll have to settle for a gin and tonic,” he said but didn’t take his eyes off Paul as he joined Lane and Aiden. Paul would get a temperature check from Lane before making his way to the group on the sofa. He was acting as Reginald’s ambassador and Lavender considered how best to help. They were all safer with Reginald in the fold than off on his own. Of course, Lavender could just as easily widen the divide if he campaigned too overtly. Ezra and Wilder were already wary but Lavender would only ruffle Hawk’s feathers more if he applied any pressure. Reginald does deserve their ire and you’ll only look like you’re playing favorites if you step in, he reminded himself.
“God, I miss Robin,” Lavender sighed and rubbed at the headache forming behind his brow. “At least one of my children listens and isn’t a maniac,” he said to himself and silently prayed that Reginald would throw him a rope and just behave until whatever this was had passed. It would make it a hell of a lot easier to smooth things over with the cabal in the corner. Then, Toly laughed and Wilder gave his knee a gentle squeeze and Lavender was just a little grateful. Toly looked rather elegant and sleek in his three-piece-suit. The layers of thick tweed and leather filled him out a touch more and the leather elbow patches and red ascot were dashing touches. Wilder chose a more casual look and skipped a tie and left his collar unbuttoned. It worked well and Lavender liked the way the bright white of his collar contrasted with his tattoos. Lavender pushed his hand into his pocket and was relaxed as he wandered to the sofa.
“Gentlemen,” he said and offered the group a nod. Denver tapped his forehead with his bottle.
“Wasn’t expecting to see you here,” he drawled and the corners of his eyes crinkled as he sipped from his beer. Lavender chuckled softly but his gaze hardened as it caught Denver’s.
“I’d rather be someplace else. Do you have everything you need to hunt down whoever’s keeping us here?” He asked and raised a brow at Toly. Denver nodded and Lavender noticed he was kneading Ezra’s shoulder. “How are you doing, Denver?” Lavender asked as he touched his forehead. “Has any of this caused you to...lose any sleep?” He saw Ezra’s focus tighten as he watched Denver but he shook his head and waved it off.
“I’m fine,” Denver said firmly and gave Ezra’s neck a playful shake. “I keep telling him, aside from the fact that I’d prefer that we were alone at the cabin and snowed in, I have absolutely no regrets and no trouble sleeping. Do I wish I would have been asked first? Sure. I got away from the military because I don’t like it when I don’t know who’s pulling my strings but I know why he did it,” Denver told them quietly. Lavender would have kissed his feet for being predictably laid back and up for anything but Ezra was still furious. For a very good reason. Though, Lavender didn’t understand why Ezra still thought he was somehow to blame for all of this.
“If you’re sure,” Lavender replied soberly. “I would never do anything to undermine the progress you’ve made,” he said sincerely. He turned to Hawk and craned his neck.
“Where’s your evil half?” He asked and Hawk pointed at the foyer. Lavender turned and bit back a laugh as Casper stomped in dragging a strand of garland and string lights with him.
“Why do you have this bullshit all over the damn place? It caught on my sleeve and I thought someone was sneaking up on me,” he said and threw it at one of the footmen.
“You thought...” Cyril asked as he shook his head. “It’s the holidays,” he groaned into his glass, as if he was reminding himself.
“Excuse me,” Hawk said as he edged past Lavender and went to chaperone Casper.
“And I thought I was brave,” Wilder murmured and Toly, Ezra and Denver hummed in agreement before Toly’s jaw fell.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing!” Wilder insisted but he winked at Lavender.