Hawk & the Lady - Elizabeth Stevens Page 0,5

my team,” I said quickly.

“Fine. I like Hank better anyway,” Rollie said with a pout.

“They’re barely even toddlers,” Nico grumbled. “They don’t even have personalities yet.”

“Oh, yes they do,” Flo chuckled.

Nico didn’t look convinced. “They won’t be people until they can talk in full sentences.”

Flo levelled a heavy gaze on him as she crossed her arms and popped her hip. “You can’t talk in full sentences before two in the afternoon,” she reminded him.

Nico shook his shoulders out. “I can. I choose not to.” He nodded once like that settled the matter and hurried out, his hands wrapped around his coffee cup.

“You keep telling yourself that,” Flo told his retreating back.

“I’ve missed her,” I told Rollie. “Haven’t you missed her?”

Her wife had given birth to twin boys, Hank and Archie, and Flo was just back from maternity leave. She’d been a great asset to the team and I didn’t know how we’d manage without her if she left for good.

Rollie nodded enthusiastically as he munched on our spare missiles. “I have.”

“Then how about you boys get some work done instead of making more mess that needs cleaning, eh?” she asked pointedly.

I looked around and noticed we’d left a few missiles on the floor.

“I’ll get ‘em,” Rollie said with a sigh. “You’ve barely even got a whole four hours to get ready for the big Nelson shindig tonight.”

I threw a Malteaser at him as I got up. “And I won’t even need half an hour.”

Rollie nodded mock-pityingly. “Of course not,” he teased. “You’re such a handsome fella.”

I blew him a kiss, “Don’t you forget it,” and started heading out.

“And I suppose you’re good enough to go like that?” Flo asked him.

“Bruise a man’s fragile ego, why not?” he replied.

“Fishing for compliments more likely.”

I didn’t hear Rollie’s next response as I went into my office to finish up some paperwork before heading home to allow myself at least an hour to get ready. As a whole, the Grace Grayson boys scrubbed up pretty well and more easily than expected. But that night was a big one in our calendar on a professional level. We all had to be on our best behaviour and looking our smartest.

The second one was easy.

The first one…? Well, our individual levels of success squarely depended on who you asked.

****

I was the first person to admit I’d thought it was a terrible idea. I was the first one who would be more than happy to beat Chaos’ face to a pulp when – not if, when – the whole thing blew up in everyone’s faces. Especially when it blew up in my little sister’s face.

But it had been close to four months since I’d felt the heady sting of betrayal after my best mate’s admission, and the two of them were only getting more sickening. I still wasn’t thrilled he’d shacked up with Bert in more than the sense of offering her a place to stay. Every time I saw him kiss her – like just then – I wanted to thump him. Then I’d see (again) how happy she was and all fight would leave me. I hadn’t seen Bert that happy in…possibly forever.

So, sure. I didn’t love it, but Hell would freeze over before I stood in the way of my sister’s happiness. I was just going to keep wishing that it didn’t have to be my best mate who was the only one who could give it to her.

“Ew.” I shuddered.

“What’s the matter?” Mrs Fortescue asked me.

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

I was in the middle of playing a part, so there would be absolutely no mention of how my own brain had grossed me out with the wrong word choices. Even though Mrs Fortescue would have found it funny, it wasn’t the time or place.

“I think they’re sweet together,” she told me.

But she knew me, and she knew what was going through my head.

The Grace Grayson boys were in the unenviable position of being honoured guests and working this particular party of Mr Nelson and his husband. Once a year, they held an intimate party with all their closest friends as both a thank you and an advertisement of our services. Which meant that those of us without a paying ‘date’ were free to bring a date of our own. Not that we were the dating types. Most of us. Since I was the only one on companion duties – strictly in the guard sense – that naturally meant Chaos was the only other one