and makeup artists would be waiting. For now, I needed food.
In the kitchen, I found Kody and Steele laughing and joking with each other as they mixed batter for waffles.
"How the fuck did you two go from dead asleep to baking in three point six seconds flat? It's not natural to wake up that quick," I grumbled, sliding onto a stool and accepting a kiss from Steele.
He just grinned back at me and tucked a loose strand of pink hair behind my ear. "We wanted to make sure you had some food before you left," he told me. His gaze was locked on mine and more intense than his lighthearted tone.
"You're sweet." I leaned up to kiss him again. "But I'm pretty sure my car is due any minute now."
"We'll make waffles to go," Kody told me with a wide smile as he poured batter into the waffle iron. "They can wait five minutes."
Steele nodded his agreement, checking his watch. "I better get changed. I'm coming with you this morning, Hellcat."
My brows rose. That hadn't been part of the plan. I was supposed to go off with a security detail to get hair and makeup done—just like a real bride—and the boys were checking all our reinforcements and artillery.
"We decided it's safer," Kody told me as Steele rushed out. "None of us feel good about leaving you alone, even with our security guys. Better that either me or Steele stick close to you this morning."
I wasn't even going to argue that point; I totally agreed. "So, how'd Steele get the job?"
Kody grimaced. "Rock, paper, scissors."
A heavy knock on the door pulled our attention, and I slid off my stool to answer it while Kody checked my waffle. I peered through the safety glass, then double-checked our video monitor to ensure Sampson was alone before opening the door.
"Morning," I greeted the older guy with a wide grin.
His brows twitched in confusion. "Are you ready to go?" His big, black SUV idled at the base of the steps, waiting for us, and I jerked a nod.
"Yes, just give me two minutes? Kody’s making waffles. Come in." I stepped back and held the door for him.
He gave me a puzzled look but did as instructed. Sampson had no idea about our plan today, none of our security did. Only the four of us and Zed's backup knew that this wasn't my real wedding day, so maybe I wasn't acting like a bride should? Fuck it. Whatever. Sampson would work it out soon enough, and if he really was on our side, he'd understand the subterfuge.
When we got back to the kitchen, Kody was putting the finishing touches on what he informed me was a "banana waffle sandwich," which he then wrapped with a napkin and handed to me.
"See, now you can eat it in the car," he told me, proud as punch, "but maybe take extra napkins for the syrup."
Sampson groaned and shook his head but said nothing as I took a bite of my breakfast. Steele came jogging back downstairs a few moments later and announced we were ready to go.
Kody followed us through to the foyer, then snagged my wrist before I could leave.
"Hey, babe?" He tugged me around to face him, and I awkwardly licked syrup from my lips. "Whatever happens today—"
"Kodiak Jones," I cut him off with a warning growl, "you better not be saying goodbye right now. Whatever happens today, we'll all make it out alive. Got it?"
He gave me a pained smile, but I grabbed the front of his T-shirt in my fist, yanking him down to kiss me. When I released him again, we were both breathing hard, but I wasn't done making my point.
"No one, Kodiak Jones, no one is separating the four of us again. Certainly not some piece-of-shit, limp-dick businessman throwing his fucking cash around. You're my damn penguin, Kody." I crushed another hard kiss against his lips, then smacked him on the ass. "See you at the altar, babe."
I hurried out of the house before he could stop me again because the last thing I needed was to start leaking from the eyes so early in the day. And that was exactly what would happen if I let him tell me he loved me like there was a chance one of us might die today. Nope. Not happening. Not on my watch.
"All okay?" Steele asked as I slid into the backseat beside him with my waffle sandwich still clenched in my hand.
I