Blind Warrior (The Weavers Circle #3) - Jocelynn Drake Page 0,104

real gumbo.”

Clay nodded. “I’ll go with Lucien, then. The rest of you stay here. Dane is expecting another delivery, and we’ll need to make sure it’s an actual delivery again.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t greet him with a lion this time,” Wiley said with a low chuckle. “Hell, we may be on a No Delivery list like Grey said.”

“This is coming from a local store, so it should be fine.” Dane wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I’ve got bullet holes to patch up and oh, the new couch should be arriving any day, too. It’ll be nice not to be picking stuffing off our clothes.”

Grey’s hand landed on Cort’s thigh under the table, and Cort threw him a smile.

“Pancakes are good,” Grey murmured. “Thanks for making them.”

“I like to cook, so it was no trouble.”

Grey laughed. “Oh, you’ve gone and done it now. We all fight over who’s cooking next and to have another like Dane—someone who actually enjoys cooking—means you’ll get more than your fair share.”

“I don’t mind.” Cort took another bite of bacon, turning his head toward Clay. His heart warmed at being included in the cooking rotation. Again, he felt like an integral member of their group. Being included was wonderful. “There are enough of us here to make it interesting. I’ll put together a grocery list before you go to the store, Clay.”

“Thanks,” Clay replied. “We’ll go this afternoon. Sound good, Lucien?”

“Hell yes, if it means gumbo.” Lucien cut into his pancakes with his fork. “We need to make another liquor run, too. Though last time, we did run into pestilents at the liquor store. Seems they like to drink, too.”

That seemed weird to Cort, but then he knew next to nothing about the pestilents, other than they wanted to suck all the energy out of this world. And they liked to enthrall people and send them in with guns. That they wanted to kill all the Weavers and possibly their mates. He looked at Grey again, realizing it would kill him if something happened to the man. He was so in love with him, and he needed to tell him that. Tell him every damn day.

Grey looked at him, and it was like he read Cort’s mind, because his gaze softened.

“Newlyweds.” Lucien pointed his fork at them. “I can guess what you two will be up to today.”

“I do have to get some work caught up,” Grey said, his gaze still on Cort. “But I don’t have to work all day.”

Dane laughed. “If he gets caught up in work, you might not be acting like newlyweds today. He tends to focus hard and disappear into those books.”

“Have you guys read them?” Cort inquired. “They’re great.”

“I bought one.” Wiley picked up his mug of coffee. “I haven’t started it yet because I had my own deadlines, but I’m looking forward to it. Haven’t read a good mystery in ages.”

“You’ll love it. The main character is so real, and the action is exciting. I’ve already bought the third book in the series.” Cort chuckled as Grey’s neck turned red. “Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed that we’re reading your books.”

“Of course I am. I’ve never actually had to face people as they’ve read. But you don’t have to buy my books. I can give you free copies.”

“Can’t argue with that. You’ve never done book signings?” Cort asked.

Grey shook his head. “I’ve always preferred to keep the mystery of the author alive.”

“Once the battle with the pestilents is over, you’ll have to set up something in town. Make your fans happy.” Wiley sounded absolutely positive that they were all going to come out of this intact.

Cort appreciated his strong belief, because he couldn’t help but worry now that he’d found this great love. Worry that the past would repeat itself and they’d face their ends again. But they’d never found soul mates in the past, and he could only hope that this time, that would end things in their favor.

Clay’s chair scraped on the floor as he pushed it back. “I’ll clean up. It’s only fair since you cooked.”

“I’ll help,” Dane said as he got to his feet and started gathering empty plates. “That was a fantastic breakfast. Thanks again for making it.”

“Anytime,” Cort replied. “I don’t mind taking on some of the meals.” No, he’d love it. Love contributing to the group. What he didn’t say was how worried he was about his job. He couldn’t stay on a leave of absence forever, and he couldn’t put anyone in