then closes all the toilets due to ‘turbulence forecast’ when the shit hits the fan. I might have used that trick on Pierce a few times when he got drunk. He always scared me when he had enough whiskey in him,” I say with a shiver at the memory of how much more sinister my ex looked after a few drinks and feeling a wave of relief at the thought that he’s gone. “So that was my way to make sure that he'd be too busy to dedicate too much unwanted attention to me.”
I think all of the guys reflect on that for a moment, looking equally impressed and also furious, as usual, when it comes to Pierce. I change the direction of the conversation by asking what is next.
So we make a plan and I get the guys to agree to let me pose for Kronin as well, if I can take River with me during the sessions. “Four eyes are better than two and since River was so stoked about this ‘shit art’ thing, we have the perfect excuse saying that he wants to see the ‘maestro’ at work. It’ll make having River with me a non-negotiable condition of me modeling for him. Plus he’s my ‘brother,’ we can blame it on him being protective.” My idea seems to encounter the guys’ approval and Kaden decides to look at his equipment in preparation for the rehearsal dinner tomorrow and for my first session with Kronin following that.
“I’ll try and find a concealable listening device. Something you can wear while with Kronin and hopefully something you can leave behind. We need to find out when and where this sale of nuclear weapons is scheduled and how Van Der Beck is implicated. I want to listen in on him, my Russian is a little rusty but it’ll definitely be better than nothing until I can send recordings back to Walker.”
... And all I can think is wow, Kaden speaks Russian? His hotness has just increased exponentially. I know. I have a problem and it’s these hotties.
River
Kaden spends all afternoon preparing bugs to be planted in the Imperial suit by Royce and Blaine, while Sloane and I spend our time watching old comedies on cable. Once the brothers leave for their ‘family dinner’, Kaden stretches and yawns.
“Shit, I’m fucking starving but just the idea of going to one of the restaurants downstairs or to the sky one gives me a migraine, because I’m also fucking tired.” Sloane and I look at each other and I know Kaden hates me when I act like a smart ass, but I wink at my girl and smirk. “What do you say, Kitten? Room service? That’s our jam, right?”
Sloane giggles and finds the menu by the phone on the coffee table. “You know what I want, right Rivs?”
I nod. “Cheeseburgers and a ton of fries for me and my kitten. What about you, Kades?”
He shrugs. “Well damn, I could murder a cheeseburger and fries. Especially with some bacon on it!”
There’s definitely something to be said about a five-star hotel: the food is not only delicious but it’s delivered quickly and the beer is ice cold and served in frosted mugs. One could definitely get used to this level of luxury.
After we literally devour our food, we watch another movie with Sloane between us on the couch: her head’s on Kaden’s shoulders while I give her a foot massage. This level of intimacy reminds me of Seattle, of the night when Sloane painted all our toes pink and I smile at the memory.
“What? Do you want me to go get my nail polish?” She giggles when I bring it up and Kaden and I both protest, pretending that we didn’t enjoy that. After the movie ends, it’s Sloane’s turn to yawn and stretch her arms above her head in the cutest and sexiest little way. Sometimes she really does remind me of a kitten.
“I think I’ll take a nice, long bath before going to bed. I’ve been eyeing up that huge jacuzzi tub in River’s room since we got here.”
I immediately stand up and offer to draw the bath for her, getting up and ready to follow her into my bedroom but Kaden, the fucking cock blocker, sulks. “Ah, fuck. I was gonna offer the same thing. River just beat me to it.”
Kitten stops at the door to my bedroom, turning her head back to look at me and Kaden and begins to unbutton the purple,