Heartless (Steel Demons MC #6) - Crystal Ash Page 0,36

liquid diet.”

“Nice to see you’ve been useful,” Reaper teased as he led us inside.

“You’re hilarious, brother.” Noelle closed the door after us and waved us through. “They’re in the den, we’ve got a fire going. Looking cute, Mari! Guess the cold’s not gettin’ to you, huh?”

I only had a leather jacket on over my dress and bare legs. Gunner had left me so flushed and satisfied, I didn’t even notice the cold.

“Guess not,” I said sheepishly, following her down the hall.

We came to a room filled with cozy warmth, the air thick with aromatic spices. Low couches and armchairs were filled with blankets and pillows. A coffee bar looked especially inviting next to a roaring fire with a cast-iron kettle set inside the flames. Rising from their seats were a beautiful couple in their fifties, one of which was the woman from the jeweler’s table downtown.

“Oh my…Rory!” She practically flew at Reaper, and would have slid to the floor had he not swept her up in a tight hug.

“It’s me, Ma,” he said in an awed whisper. “I’m really here.”

She released him slowly, hands skimming over his clothes and face in disbelief before turning to the man at his side. “And is this Jandro? My little Jandrito?”

“Hey, Mama Lis,” he grinned, wrapping her in a loose hug. “You’re still as beautiful as I remember.”

While Reaper’s mother fawned over the two men, his father turned to me. His face was strikingly similar to his son’s, except for brown eyes instead of green, and the white hair that dominated the few remaining dark strands. Finn Daley was also powerfully built, clearly in fantastic shape for a man his age. I guess he had to be, after a long career in the Air Force and now as a general.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mariposa,” he said kindly with a warm smile. Right away I noticed he smiled more easily than his son, with no hint of Reaper’s signature scowl.

“Call me Mari, please,” I returned. “And the pleasure is mine. Thank you for inviting me to your home.”

Reaper’s mother turned to me at that point. “Hello again.” She smiled sweetly, only her green eyes showing traces of sadness as she reached out for my hands. “So I was right, your husband does have excellent taste.”

“In jewelry, at least,” I laughed humbly. “I’m so glad to meet you properly, Alisa.”

“You’re welcome to call me Lis, sweetheart.” Her warmth felt genuine, filling the ache I felt over missing my own mother.

“You have a beautiful home, Lis,” I said. “And you raised amazing people. Reap—uh, Rory and Noelle have been wonderful to me.”

“Well, I certainly can’t take credit for the last decade,” she laughed, the sound a little forced. “But my goodness, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see two of my children alive and well, and even in love!”

“What are the odds?” I smiled back, the pang of longing returning in my chest for a moment before I shoved it down.

“Finn, honey?” Lis looked at her husband. “Will you pour some coffee for Mari and the boys?”

“Mari, yes. The boys can get their own,” he smirked, turning to the coffee bar. “How do you take yours, Mari?”

“Black, thank you.”

“A woman after my own heart,” he said, pouring from the French press into a clean cup.

Lis swatted his arm. “Oh stop flirting, she’s married.”

“So am I.” He smacked a kiss on his wife’s cheek before handing over my cup.

“Thank you. Habits of being a combat medic die hard,” I said, cradling the drink in my hands.

“The Air Force was similar, I imagine. Always had to guzzle the caffeine, then get up and go.” Finn squeezed the sides of Lis’ waist, gently steering her toward the hallway. “Should we head to the table? I’m starvin, hon.”

“Yes, but I’ll need your help plating up the food.” She kissed him quickly over her shoulder and let him guide her down the hallway.

Their affection was heartwarming, especially after knowing what they’d been through, and how long they had been together.

“We brought eggs,” Jandro said, following them into the kitchen with Reaper, Noelle, and I trailing after. “Freshly laid from my girls.”

Lis opened the carton he handed to her and gasped softly. “Ooh, these are beautiful.” She ran her hands over the assorted colors of shells. “Thank you, Jandro. I didn’t take you for a farmer.”

“Me neither, but I guess a lot of unexpected stuff happened over the years.” His fingers twirled around mine, bringing my palm