EVIL VILLAIN (The Royal Court #3) - Rebel Hart Page 0,33

it was nightmares of him making a valiant return to kill all of the people I cared about, from my mom and Cherri to Nathan and Venom.

“Not really, unfortunately,” I replied, sliding into the chair opposite Felicity.

“I went with something simple because I didn’t think you’d be up, but I can cook something for you. What would you like?” she asked.

“No, it’s okay. I’m fine with cereal.” I replied, but Felicity still stood up from her chair. “Why?”

“I’m gonna get you a bowl at least. Do you want toast?” she asked.

“Why are you like this?” I asked.

She looked back at me and stabbed a finger out in my direction. “Listen. Acts of service are my love language, okay. Just let me take care of you. I like it.”

I sighed, but nodded. “Fine. Yes please to the toast.”

She gave me a victory nod, then turned around and made her way to the toaster. She popped a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster and then grabbed a bowl and spoon. “What to drink?”

“Orange juice, please,” I replied.

She set the bowl and spoon down for a moment and then grabbed a glass from the cabinet and set it down as well. She opened the fridge and grabbed the milk and orange juice, then filled the glass with orange juice, and carried the bowl, spoon, glass of orange juice, and jug of milk over to the table, balancing them all with precision.

She set them down in front of the table and then I started pouring myself a bowl of cereal from the box on the table. “Thank you.”

“Of course. I’ve got good news by the way,” she said. “No more sitting around for either of us today.”

I looked up at her as she twirled back to the counter to retrieve my toast. “Yeah?”

“Yep. Garrett set up a meeting with one of his guys, Nico. Originally, I was going to go, but I have to go meet with a client, so…” She pulled my toast out, slid pads of butter onto each slice, and carried the plate over to me. “I’m going to let you go, and you’re not going to tell your father that I did that.”

I snickered. “As long as you don’t tell him, I won’t.”

Felicity let out a little squeak. “It sounds good coming out of me, doesn’t it? The whole mom secret, don’t tell your dad, thing?”

“It really does.” I gave her a smile. “You’re a good mom.”

“Maybe if we can get Garrett out, we can look into getting you a little brother or sister,” she said. “Which would you prefer?”

For a moment, I thought about having a younger sibling. A little girl or boy to spoil and snuggle, and it made the pit of my stomach burn with anticipation. “Either. I’d love that.”

What I’d learned in the time since I’d come to stay with Felicity was that she really did want to have a family with Venom. After she realized that I had committed myself to calling him my dad, as opposed to the man who was supposed to be my dad, she was happy to play along as the loving step-mom and I was fine to let her. She really would make a wonderful mother, just like Venom was a wonderful dad. I wanted more than anything to absolve Venom and Felicity of the fate Connor had set out for him so that maybe one day they could have a kid of their own.

“Oh my god, I just imagined trying to convince a little boy that being a brooding, super tough guy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But Deon does it,” she said in a nasally voice. “I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

“I’m not brooding,” I growled.

“No… I was talking about a different Deon,” she responded and then quickly returned to her chair. “Anyway, you’re going to keep it a secret, and I’m going to send you with one of my cars to see him. So long as you mention Garrett as soon as you get there, you should be okay.”

I was overcome with relief. Not only was I finally going to get to leave the house and make an active effort to find and stop Connor, but I was going to see people other than Felicity and drive around like a normal person. Part of me wanted to stop at a fast food place or something to mark the occasion. It didn’t even occur to me how