were doing, and had the right equipment. Now, what were you doing at the docks today?”
Lena bit her lip. “I had to check something out for someone. I want to tell you the details, I really do, but I can’t get hold of my—of them right now, and I can’t say anything until I’ve spoken to them. All I can say is, there’s something seriously shady going on down there.”
“Well, that’s just fucking brilliant.” Cassius rolled his eyes. “Really helpful, sis.”
“Fuck off.” She threw her middle finger up at him, and he returned the gesture.
“That’s sibling love, right there.” I tried to ease the tension. Again. “Lena, can you tell us anything more? Anything at all?”
“I can’t. Not yet, anyway. Look, if I could, I would. You have to give me time. I promise you, I’ll have more answers for you as soon as I can.”
Both of us ignored Cassius’ low growl of disapproval. He wasn’t about to let this drop, and I knew he’d be having words with Lena later.
“Okay. So you have to wait for someone to get in touch, before you tell us any details?” I probed carefully.
“Yep.” She picked up her phone and started swiping at the screen.
“Why didn’t you sneak in and out of the docks, like we did?” I wondered aloud.
Lena laughed. “That ID is like a golden ticket. I can get in and out anywhere, without wasting time sneaking around.”
“But you’re too recognisable! What if someone sees you and knows who you are?”
She waved her arm in the air, unconcerned. “I can talk my way out of anything.”
I stared at her, open-mouthed, torn between irritation and concern. Was this how Caiden felt when I did something stupid? Probably. I groaned aloud.
“That’s really fucking stupid,” Cassius snapped at her. She ignored him, her thumbs flying over her phone screen.
“Okay, I can see we’re not getting anywhere with this discussion.” I sighed, trying to tamp down my frustration. “While we’re waiting for Lena to hear from her contact, shall we get food? There’s that all-night pizza place that delivers, if pizza’s okay with everyone?”
“I’ll sort it,” Caiden murmured in my ear, then moved me off him. “I need a minute.”
“You okay?” I glanced at him, concerned.
“Yeah. It’s just a lot to deal with, y’know? All this shit with you and Allan, and now Lena, and the stuff that happened earlier with you and me.”
“The ‘I love you’?” I whispered, and he nodded.
“Yeah.”
Fuck, I hoped he wasn’t regretting saying it.
He must’ve noticed my expression because he stopped dead. Our eyes met, and he stared at me for a long moment, before he leaned over, kissing me fiercely. “Never doubt it. It was scary as fuck saying it, but I mean it. I love you, okay?”
My heart skipped a beat. I threw my arms around his neck, butterflies going mad inside me at his words. I loved that he was finally starting to open up to me and actually tell me how he was feeling, instead of keeping it inside. “I’ll never get tired of you saying those words to me.”
I suddenly noticed the silence that had fallen over the room, and I pulled away from my boyfriend to look at the others.
“So, King Caiden has a heart, after all,” Cassius smirked. “Who would’ve thought it?”
“Leave them alone,” Weston said, giving him a warning glare. “I’m happy for you both.”
“Seriously, guys.” I didn’t miss how Caiden had gone all stiff and uncomfortable next to me. “Cade, you wanna get the pizza menus?”
He squeezed my hand, then got up, sauntering out of the room all casually, acting like it was no big deal that he’d told me he loved me in front of everyone. Was it the same for him as it was for me? Did everything else fade away, and I was the only thing he saw? He commanded my entire focus every time he turned the full force of his stormy gaze on me, every time he kissed me.
“When did this happen?” Cassius leaned forwards, propping his chin on his hands, his issues with Lena temporarily forgotten.
“That’s between me and him, thanks. And don’t go on about it in front of him. You know he doesn’t like it.”
“Sorry, babe. Didn’t mean to.”
“Sure you didn’t.” I rolled my eyes but softened the gesture with a smile. “It’s okay. I know you don’t mean anything by it.”
“This has been fun and all, but I have things to do. I brought my homework with me,” Lena interjected. “While I’m